Program Manager, Alignment

Details

The Alignment team enables OpenAI to develop and deploy increasingly capable AI that consistently follows human intent, avoids catastrophic behavior, and remains controllable and auditable as capabilities scale. This role supports OpenAI’s alignment and safety ecosystem work through strong program execution, relationship management, and operational ownership. The position is based in San Francisco, CA and uses a hybrid work model (3 days in the office per week). OpenAI offers relocation assistance to new employees.

Responsibilities

• Own logistics and execution for alignment events, including coordination with researchers, external participants, and internal stakeholders.
• Support third-party collaborations as an operational counterparty, including program management, contracting coordination, follow-through, and cross-functional tracking.
• Incubate and manage external collaborations with organizations in the alignment ecosystem (e.g., misalignment-related research collaborations or shared infrastructure efforts).
• Provide recruiting support for alignment ecosystem hiring by helping source, map, and engage trusted candidates and communities.
• Serve as the RPM counterpart for the Alignment blog, driving publishing operations, editorial coordination, and drafting support where needed.
• Support compute management processes for the team, including recurring coordination, tracking, and operational follow-through.
• If piloted successfully, run a Safety Fellows program end to end, including selection, participant support, programming, and operational management.

Requirements

• 4+ years of experience in program management, operations, partnerships, recruiting, or related work in research, policy, or technical environments.
• Ability to independently drive complex, multi-stakeholder workstreams with strong program management judgment.
• Familiarity with the AI safety / alignment ecosystem and ability to build trust with external researchers and organizations.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Comfortable with ambiguity, able to maintain momentum, and capable of closing operational gaps with minimal oversight.
• Experience supporting fellowships, research communities, or external partnerships is a plus.

Benefits

• Base pay range listed for this role: $162,000 – $180,000 (additional total compensation may include equity and performance-related bonus(es)).
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance with employer contributions to Health Savings Accounts.
• Pre-tax accounts: Health FSA, Dependent Care FSA, and commuter expense accounts.
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer match.
• Paid parental leave and paid medical/caregiver leave; paid time off policies.
• 13+ paid company holidays and additional company office closures; paid sick or safe time as required by law.
• Mental health and wellness support; employer-paid basic life and disability coverage.
• Annual learning and development stipend; daily meals in offices and meal delivery credits as eligible.
• Relocation support for eligible employees and other possible taxable fringe benefits (e.g., charitable donation matching, wellness stipends).