At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our media outreach team to expand coverage on AI risks and engage with journalists.
- Company: ControlAI, a non-profit tackling superintelligence extinction risks.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, pension contributions, catered lunches, and generous holiday allowance.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the media while shaping the future of AI safety.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills and a knack for spotting media opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic startup environment with a mission-driven focus and career growth potential.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 64000 £ per year.
We are looking for someone to join our media outreach team in London, reporting to ControlAI's Media Engagement Lead. Your role is to expand and deepen the media’s coverage of the extinction risk posed by superintelligence and ControlAI as an organization. You will build relationships with journalists, pitch stories, support op-ed writing and placement, and move fast when opportunities appear. This role is highly reactive and adaptive to ongoing AI developments and media events. It requires being quick on your feet and moving rapidly when media opportunities arise. If you want to spend all day theorising and writing long reports, this is not the role for you.
Signs that you are a good fit:
- Know how media works, when a story will get picked up, and why journalists cover what they cover.
- Be persistent. You have an action bias and keep your head high even on the weeks where things aren’t going your way.
- Have excellent written and oral communication skills and write well under time-pressure.
- Be honest, courageous, and stay on message even when facing push back.
Not required: Prior technical experience or experience with the field of AI Safety. You will quickly pick up what you need to know on the job.
Key Responsibilities Include:
- Draft article pitches, news updates, op-eds, press releases, and preparation notes for meetings.
- Conduct daily outreach to news journalists and TV/radio/podcast contacts to book meetings for media team members.
- Spotting opportunities where ControlAI can contribute to news cycles and act on them quickly.
- Produce daily news round ups to keep the entire team at the forefront of AI news developments.
£60,000 - £80,000 a year. Salary commensurate with experience.
About ControlAI: ControlAI is a non-profit organisation that works with a singular mission to prevent the extinction risk posed by superintelligence and secure a great future for humanity. Nobel Prize winners, top AI experts and even the CEOs of major AI companies have warned that superintelligence poses an extinction risk for humanity. Yet, most decision-makers and most of the public are still in the dark about these risks. ControlAI exists to change this. We help hundreds of thousands of people understand where AI is going, and take civic action to secure their future. We meet hundreds of lawmakers to inform them about the risks, and convince them to take a public stance. We help dozens of them take action to spur a national conversation about superintelligence, and put measures in place nationally and internationally. We do this across all democratic institutions, from lawmakers to the media, civil society, and all citizens. We operate like a startup: clear objectives, measurable goals, and real-world results over long-term research. In the UK we have briefed over 150 cross-party parliamentarians and No. 10 Downing Street since September 2024, with our superintelligence campaign gaining support from more than 100 British lawmakers. Our work in the UK has been covered in media outlets including the Guardian and TIME Magazine. ControlAI also operates in the United States, Canada, and Germany, where we have briefed dozens of lawmakers, given expert testimony in hearings, and more.
Application Process: We are reviewing applications on a rolling basis and will interview strong candidates as they apply. The position will remain open until filled, but we encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible to receive priority consideration. The application process consists of a resume review, one take-home task, one online interview, and one in-person interview. We will communicate details of the interview process to candidates as they proceed, and expect the process to take between 3-5 weeks for most candidates.
Other Details:
Location: We are headquartered in London, UK, a 5 minute walk south of London Bridge.
Benefits: We offer pension contributions up to 5%, catered lunches, and 25 days of annual holiday + bank holidays.
Visa: ControlAI can provide visa assistance for exceptional candidates we hire. We encourage applications from candidates who may not meet every criterion but are passionate about our mission.
(UK) Media Relations Officer employer: control AI
Contact Detail:
control AI Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land (UK) Media Relations Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the media landscape! Research journalists who cover AI and related topics. Follow them on social media, engage with their content, and understand what stories they’re interested in. This will help us tailor our pitches and build genuine relationships.
✨Tip Number 2
Be ready to act fast! When a news opportunity arises, don’t hesitate. We need to be quick on our feet, so have your pitches and ideas ready to go. The sooner we can get our message out, the better chance we have of getting coverage.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! Whether it’s writing or speaking, being able to convey our message clearly and persuasively is key. Try drafting op-eds or doing mock interviews to sharpen your skills under pressure.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t shy away from networking! Attend industry events, webinars, or even casual meet-ups. Building connections with other professionals can open doors for us and create opportunities for collaboration. Plus, it’s a great way to stay updated on trends!
We think you need these skills to ace (UK) Media Relations Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Know Your Audience: Before you start writing your application, think about who will be reading it. Tailor your language and examples to resonate with the media outreach team at ControlAI. Show us that you understand the role and the impact of effective media relations.
Be Concise and Clear: We love a good story, but we also appreciate brevity! Make sure your application is straightforward and to the point. Highlight your relevant experience and skills without waffling on. Remember, we’re looking for someone who can write well under time pressure!
Show Your Passion: Let your enthusiasm for the mission shine through in your application. We want to see that you care about the issues at hand and are eager to contribute to our cause. Share any personal experiences or insights that fuel your passion for media relations and AI safety.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure it gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us that you’re proactive and know how to navigate the digital landscape—an essential skill for this role!
How to prepare for a job interview at control AI
✨Know Your Media Landscape
Before the interview, do your homework on how media works and what stories are currently trending. Familiarise yourself with journalists who cover AI and related topics. This will help you demonstrate your understanding of the media landscape and show that you're proactive.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since this role requires excellent written and oral communication skills, prepare to showcase these during the interview. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely, and consider bringing examples of your writing or pitches to discuss.
✨Be Ready to Think on Your Feet
Given the reactive nature of the role, be prepared for situational questions that test your ability to respond quickly to media opportunities. Think about past experiences where you had to act fast and how you handled those situations.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion and Persistence
ControlAI values candidates who are persistent and passionate about their mission. Be ready to share examples of times when you faced challenges but kept pushing forward. This will show that you have the right mindset for a fast-paced environment.