Policy Analyst in Washington, District of Columbia at Americans For Responsible Innovation

About ARI

ARI is a nonprofit organization advocating for artificial intelligence policy in the public interest. We believe in establishing a thoughtful governance framework for rapidly advancing AI technology that protects the public from harm while continuing to foster innovation. ARI takes a bipartisan approach, building coalitions across the political spectrum.

Department Description

The ARI Policy Department is the organization's product development engine, responsible for the ideation and design of the policy frameworks, concepts, and analytical tools that define ARI's advocacy agenda and advance responsible AI governance. The Department's core work is deliberately proactive: rather than reacting to a legislative calendar set by others, we identify consequential policy questions before they reach Congress and develop durable frameworks that outlast any single bill or news cycle. Our aspiration is not merely to participate in the AI policy debate, but to shape it, generating the ideas that others eventually have to respond to.

E&ST Portfolio Description

The Economic & Societal Transformation Portfolio sits at the intersection of technology and human welfare, focusing on how artificial intelligence is reshaping the foundations of how Americans work, learn, and access essential services. Policy Analysts in this portfolio develop ARI's positions and help advance advocacy efforts on AI-related economic policy, labor displacement, workforce transition, the future and dignity of work, education policy, government modernization, and responsible AI adoption across high-stakes sectors such as healthcare and finance. The portfolio's organizing question is whether emerging AI policy can deliver transformative economic gains without degrading the human condition. That framing reflects ARI's commitment to policies that raise standards of living and promote broad-based opportunity for all, while proactively addressing concerns about job disruption and other economic and societal risks. Work in this portfolio requires comfort operating across economic, social, and institutional dimensions of AI policy, and an ability to engage both near-term regulatory questions and over-the-horizon structural challenges facing workers, communities, and public institutions.

Role Description

Policy Analysts are the intellectual engine of the department. Working within assigned portfolio focus areas, analysts are responsible for the research, policy design, and analytical work that gives ARI's advocacy its substantive foundation. This means developing deep expertise in specific issue areas, tracking legislative and regulatory developments, designing policy frameworks, and producing work products that are simultaneously rigorous in their analysis and clear in their advocacy orientation. Analysts at ARI are not generalists; their proximity to the substance of their focus areas makes them the department's primary source of policy insight, and their output is the raw material from which ARI's broader advocacy agenda is constructed.

Given the breadth of the Economic & Societal Transformation portfolio, incoming analysts are not expected to arrive as experts in every focus area; they are expected to bring relevant foundational training, strong policy design instincts, and a willingness to specialize as the portfolio's agenda matures.

The day-to-day work of a Policy Analyst at ARI can vary significantly; those seeking a predictable routine or prolonged periods of independent research may be ill-fitted for the position. In any given day, a Policy Analyst may find themselves briefing Congressional staff on an advocacy agenda item germane to their portfolio, drafting a blog post to demonstrate thought leadership on a controversial policy idea, preparing an internal memorandum for ARI’s executive leadership to help inform a bill endorsement decision, and/or doing deep research to help support the earliest stages of the policy design process. In all cases, the work of a Policy Analyst requires drive, teamwork, and the ability to “code switch” between policy design (the science of putting together strong policy frameworks that serve as the backbone of ARI’s advocacy efforts) and policy delivery (the art of taking approved policy objectives and driving them toward manifestation through collaborative, interdisciplinary work with colleagues from the Government Affairs and Communications teams). Policy Analysts have a critical role to play in both.

Qualifications

Required

A Bachelor’s degree in a field relevant to one or more of the portfolio’s focus areas, such as economics, education, public administration, or public policy.Academic training or professional experience in policy analysis, with a demonstrated ability to move from problem definition to policy design.A willingness and intellectual orientation to specialize within the portfolio over time, building the subject-matter depth required to contribute meaningfully to ARI's agenda.An advocacy mindset, including a political instinct for how policy ideas are received and acted upon by legislative, executive, and public audiences.Strong written and analytical communication skills, including the ability to construct clear causal narratives that connect problems, solutions, and outcomes.Comfort and effectiveness working in cross-functional teams alongside Government Affairs and Communications colleagues.Demonstrated experience or interest in AI policy.Willingness to work in-person at least three days each week and to physically relocate to the greater DC-Maryland-Virginia (DMV) area if not already living there.

Preferred

At least 2–3 years of experience conducting policy design or analysis in one or more of the portfolio’s focus areas, such as economics, labor and workforce policy, public administration, education policy, or the policy dimensions of sectoral transformation in areas like healthcare or finance.Prior experience in a legislative, executive branch, think tank, or advocacy setting where policy ideas were designed for real-world uptake.A demonstrated ability to generate original policy ideas and translate them into coherent frameworks, not simply to analyze or comment on the ideas of others.Demonstrated ability to translate research or analysis into advocacy-ready products, both for external audiences and ARI teammates assisting with advocacy efforts.A background in economics, education, or government modernization.Compensation, Benefits, and Location

This is a full-time position based in Washington, DC. Relocation assistance may be available. ARI maintains a flexible hybrid work schedule (working in-person Tuesday-Thursday and remote on Monday and Friday).

The salary range for this role is $80,000 – $100,000, commensurate with experience.

ARI offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

Healthcare insurance: 85% of healthcare, vision, and dental insurance premiums are covered for employees, partners, and dependents.Discretionary PTO and ~20 office holidays, including all Federal holidays and the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day.401(k) Retirement Plan with 6% Employer Match.Wellness Benefit: $150/month taxable stipend to support physical and mental well-being.Internet & Utilities Reimbursement: $150/month taxable stipend to cover internet and utilities expenses from remote work.Home Office Expenses for New Employees: up to $500 to all new full-time employees for home office set-up expenses.Professional Development Stipend: Up to $2,500 annually to be used towards building new knowledge and skills.Basic Life, Basic AD&D, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability: 100% employer-paid with the option to elect for employee-paid supplemental coverage.Flexible Spending Accounts: Dependent Care FSA, Medical FSA, Transit FSA, and Parking FSA. Hiring Process

Application Materials

Resume (not to exceed two pages) Relevant writing sample (e.g., policy brief or public policy product) Cover letter (not to exceed one page)

Application Process

At ARI, we intentionally design the application process to ensure mutual fit and success in the role by using the following recruitment process, where each stage is different and meant to help us understand something distinct about the candidate. Each of the stages is outlined below to help give you an idea of what lies ahead:

Resume Review & Initial Down Select: Submitted resumes, writing samples, and cover letters are evaluated against our nonnegotiable and preferred core competencies of the position to determine our initial candidate pool. Initial Interview: Virtual 30-minute video chat 1:1 with the Policy Department’s operational deputy, the Associate Director of Policy Strategy.Supervisor Interview: Virtual 45-minute video chat 1:1 with the Senior Policy Director for E&ST to assess substantive qualifications. Semi-Finalist Panel Interview: Virtual 45-minute video chat with selected members of the Policy Department to assess cultural fit. Finalist Interview: In-person 30-minute interview with the Vice President of Policy Design & Delivery, the head of ARI’s Policy Department, to assess growth potential and alignment with leadership vision.

The hiring process concludes when a final candidate is approved by the VP for Policy Design & Delivery, and an offer has been made and accepted. Generally speaking, the whole process is meant to be conducted within 45 days from the time the position closes for applications.

Due to the anticipated volume of applications, we may not be able to respond to every applicant in a timely manner. We apologize in advance for any communication delays.

ARI is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or any other status protected by applicable law.

The pay range for this role is:80,000 - 100,000 USD per year(ARI Office)