Communications Strategy & Operations Lead

About the Team

OpenAI’s mission is to ensure that general-purpose artificial intelligence benefits all of humanity. We believe our research will eventually lead to artificial general intelligence, a system that can solve human-level problems. 

Our Communications team includes PR/Media Relations, Employee Communications, Community, Events, Design, and other external-facing functions. This team’s ethos is to support OpenAI's mission and goals by clearly and authentically explaining our technology, values, and approach to safely building powerful AI.

About the Role

OpenAI is seeking a seasoned and highly collaborative Strategy & Operations Lead. This role will work across the Communications (Comms) function in streamlining operations, facilitating cross-functional collaboration, and driving strategic initiatives. This role reports into the Chief Communications Officer and will partner closely with Comms senior leadership to optimize effective project management, resource allocation, and process improvements that align with our communications and business objectives. The ideal candidate is an experienced professional with a strong background in project management, operations, and communications, who thrives in a dynamic environment and is passionate about driving strategic results.

This role is based in San Francisco, CA. We use a hybrid work model of 3 days in the office per week and offer relocation assistance to new employees.

In this role, you will facilitate:

Operational Support:

• Lead project management efforts, ensuring seamless execution of initiatives across the Comms function, particularly during critical periods such as product launches and crises.
• Develop and manage project timelines, ensuring on-time delivery of key milestones.
• Create and implement processes to enhance cross-team coordination and operational efficiency within Comms and in collaboration with other teams.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Facilitate partnerships with cross-functional teams on projects and initiatives spanning across the organization, with a focus on alignment and effective execution.
• Serve as a strategic liaison between Comms and other functions, ensuring successful integration and coordination of shared goals and strategy.

Strategic Planning and Thought Partnership:

• Working with and across Comms leadership, provide support in developing strategic plans that align with business and product goals.
• Establish metrics to track progress towards goals and ensure that Comms plans are aligned with broader organizational KPIs/OKRs.
• Offer objective assessments of current initiatives and identify areas for improvement.

Budget and Resource Management:

• Assist in the preparation, monitoring, and management of the Comms budget, ensuring efficient use of resources.
• Track expenses and manage resourcing needs, supporting headcount planning in collaboration with HR, FP&A, and Comms function leads.

Comms and Culture Development:

• Partner with leadership to ensure a positive, inclusive, and healthy team culture.
• Identify opportunities for team-building and improved communication events in collaboration with HR.
• Manage monthly Comms all-hands meetings, ensuring topics are timely and relevant to team concerns.

Meeting and Documentation Management:

• Develop agendas and facilitate meetings to drive productive discussions and decision-making.
• Accurately document decisions and action items, ensuring clear follow-up and accountability.

 You might thrive in this role if you have:

• 12+ years of experience 
• Proven experience in project management or operations, preferably within communications or a related field.
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to juggle multiple tasks and maintain attention to detail.
• Excellent communication skills, with a track record of facilitating cross-functional collaboration and leading through others.
• Experience in budget and resource management.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to suggest actionable improvements.
• High level of adaptability and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Experience within a global rapidly growing organization.
• Familiarity with strategic planning and performance tracking aligned with business objectives.
• Previous experience working closely with senior leadership as a thought partner.

About OpenAI

OpenAI is an AI research and deployment company dedicated to ensuring that general-purpose artificial intelligence benefits all of humanity. We push the boundaries of the capabilities of AI systems and seek to safely deploy them to the world through our products. AI is an extremely powerful tool that must be created with safety and human needs at its core, and to achieve our mission, we must encompass and value the many different perspectives, voices, and experiences that form the full spectrum of humanity. 

We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status. 

OpenAI Affirmative Action and Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Statement

For US Based Candidates: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities, and requests can be made via this link.

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At OpenAI, we believe artificial intelligence has the potential to help people solve immense global challenges, and we want the upside of AI to be widely shared. Join us in shaping the future of technology.