Communications Lead

Location: Geneva, Switzerland

Employment: Full-time

Experience: 3+ years in communications, ideally in tech policy

Start date: As soon as possible, latest April 1, 2026

The Role

The Simon Institute for Longterm Governance (SI) is looking for a Communications Lead to shape and tell our story. We work at the intersection of frontier AI governance and international diplomacy – convening experts, advising policymakers, and building bridges between governments, companies, and the multilateral system. Much of our work happens behind closed doors. Your job is to make SI legible and compelling to our partners.

This is a narrative role. In direct support of the leadership team, you'll craft the through-line that connects our institutional identity (we're named after Herbert Simon, the Nobel laureate who pioneered work on bounded rationality, AI, and decision-making) to our current work on frontier AI diplomacy (Simon also led various academic exchanges between Western and Chinese researchers).

You'll contextualize our outputs – trip reports, event recaps, policy briefs – and turn them into content that builds our reputation. You'll support SI fundraising by telling a story funders want to fund. You'll maintain our public presence with a light touch: a sharp newsletter, thoughtful blog posts, and a social media presence that signals seriousness without being boring.

This role combines strategic communications leadership with hands-on execution. Roughly 60% of your time will involve writing and editing – blog posts, grant applications, newsletters, internal briefs, annual reports. The other 40% involves managing SI's communications infrastructure and supporting fundraising efforts. We're a small team, for now – you should be comfortable doing what needs to be done.

What you'll do

Shape SI's narrative and public presence

• Implement SI's comms strategy and maintain our core narrative – who we are, why we exist, what makes us distinctive – and ensure consistency across all communications
• Write and edit high-quality content: blog posts, event recaps, trip reports, and the monthly newsletter
• Contextualize SI's work for different audiences – making technical and diplomatic work accessible without dumbing it down
• Identify opportunities to position SI in relevant conversations – media, partnerships, publications, events
• Manage and analyze SI's website, social media (LinkedIn, X, Bluesky), and other public profiles

Support fundraising through writing

• Draft grant applications and funding proposals in collaboration with leadership
• Create fundraising materials – pitch decks, one-pagers, donor updates, annual reports
• Help maintain donor relationships through clear, compelling communication

Provide editorial and analytical support

• Providing editing and layouting support for briefs, memos, and other documents
• Support events and institution-wide initiatives as needed
• Stay current on the AI governance landscape to ensure communications are timely and well-informed

What we're looking for

Essential

• Exceptional writing and editing skills. You can write a compelling newsletter, a tight grant application, and a nuanced policy explainer. You have range.
• Substantive fluency. You can engage with frontier AI governance, international relations, and policy debates at a level that earns credibility with experts. You don't need to be a technical researcher, but you need to understand the terrain.
• Narrative instinct. You see how individual pieces connect into a larger story. You can spot the interesting angle and know how to frame it.
• Judgment about audiences. You understand that the same information lands differently with diplomats, funders, AI researchers, and the general public. You adapt accordingly.
• Self-direction. You can identify what needs doing and do it. You don't wait to be told.
• Confidentiality and discretion. Much of our work is sensitive. You have good instincts about what can and can't be shared.

Preferred

• Experience in policy communications, think tanks, or tech governance
• Familiarity with the AI governance ecosystem
• Grant writing experience
• Cross-cultural communication experience, particularly with US, European, and Asian contexts
• Languages beyond fluent written & oral English (Mandarin, French or German are particularly useful)

Why SI

• Work that matters. We're working on one of the most consequential challenges of our time – ensuring that transformative AI benefits humanity. You'll be part of shaping how the world governs this technology.
• Systemic thinking. Our team engages seriously with hard problems. You'll be surrounded by people who care about getting things right.
• Room to grow. This role can evolve with you – into a director position, expanded media work, or deeper involvement in programming. We're building something, and the right person will help shape what it becomes.
• Geneva. A beautiful city at the heart of international governance, with a strong quality of life, and the Alps on your doorstep.
• We care. A living wage of CHF 86,000 to 120,000 (depending on experience), alongside generous parental leave and many other benefits, so that you can focus on getting things done.

How to apply

The initial application just takes 30 minutes -- no CV, no motivational letter. All we ask you is to fill out this form with basic information about yourself and a small work test:

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, starting as of January 5th. We aim to move quickly with strong candidates.