Senior Executive Associate

The Institute for Law & AI (LawAI) is an independent think tank that researches and advises on the legal challenges posed by artificial intelligence. We believe that sound legal analysis will promote security, welfare, and the rule of law. We conduct research at the intersection of artificial intelligence, law, and policy and advise governments, research organizations, and private actors.

About the role

LawAI is looking for a Senior Executive Associate to work closely with our Director, Chief of Staff, and wider Executive team to help drive key priorities and projects across the organization. As part of the Executive Office, you will operate as a high-leverage generalist, working across projects that span strategy, operations, programs, communications, and new initiatives. You will play a critical role in ensuring that leadership is able to focus on the highest-impact work, while helping translate priorities into execution across the organization. This is a fast-paced role at the centre of the organization, often requiring pivoting between projects as priorities change.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Taking ownership of high-impact projects across the organization, driving them from scoping through to delivery.
• Working across teams to coordinate and deliver projects and initiatives, ensuring alignment and momentum.
• Acting as a thought partner to leadership by helping structure problems, develop recommendations, and drive execution.
• Identifying and leading new initiatives or workstreams where additional capacity is needed.
• Improving internal processes, prioritization, and ways of working as the organization grows.
• Building strong relationships across the organization and acting as a connector between teams.
• Supporting effective decision-making by ensuring leadership has the information, context, and follow-through needed.

Depending on your experience and development in the role, you may also:

• Take ownership of complex or sensitive strategic projects.
• Contribute to shaping organizational priorities, planning, and longer-term strategy.

Projects may involve:

• Launching new initiatives: e.g., building partnerships with academic institutions and other organizations, and driving early-stage execution of new programs.
• Improving internal operations: e.g., reviewing and redesigning internal communications as the organization scales, ensuring information flows effectively and teams stay aligned.
• Designing high-impact team experiences: e.g., rethinking retreats and offsites to maximize their value for team cohesion, strategy, and output.
• Driving organizational effectiveness: e.g., identifying opportunities to increase impact, proposing and testing new ideas, and improving how the organization prioritizes and executes work.
• Filling critical gaps: stepping into interim roles or providing additional capacity where needed.
• Cross-functional project delivery: leading projects that cut across teams, ensuring coordination, momentum, and high-quality outcomes.

This role is well-suited to someone who is highly adaptable, enjoys working across a wide range of challenges, and is motivated by having a broad organizational impact.

About you

You might be a good fit for this role if:

• You are motivated by our mission and interested in contributing to work that ensures technology is developed and deployed in ways that are beneficial and responsible.
• You are highly organized and execution-focused, with a strong track record of delivering projects to a high standard.
• You are able to manage multiple priorities and maintain momentum across different workstreams.
• You are proactive and take ownership.
• You are comfortable stepping into ambiguous situations, figuring out what needs to be done, and driving work forward independently.
• You have strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
• You can quickly understand complex issues, break them down, and contribute to clear, actionable solutions.
• You are adaptable and comfortable working across a wide range of tasks and projects.
• You are willing to take on both high-level and detail-oriented work as needed.
• You have strong interpersonal skills and are able to build effective working relationships across teams.
• You can navigate different perspectives and help align stakeholders.
• You communicate clearly and concisely, both in writing and verbally, and are able to tailor your communication to different audiences.
• You exercise good judgement and discretion, particularly when handling sensitive information or operating in high-trust environments.
• You are comfortable working closely with senior leadership and being part of a small, high-performing Executive team.
• You are able to balance big-picture thinking with hands-on execution, ensuring that ideas translate into tangible outcomes.
• You are flexible in your working style, including occasional work outside standard hours when required, and able to travel periodically for team meetings or events.

All of the above said, there’s no such thing as a perfect candidate; we don’t expect a successful hire to excel in all of the dimensions here. If you are on the fence about applying because you are unsure whether you are qualified, we strongly encourage you to apply.

Compensation

The salary range for this role is $90,000 – $160,000 depending on experience and location. For exceptional candidates whose experience exceeds our expectations in terms of relevance and seniority, we may consider higher compensation. We’re ideally looking for someone able to start as soon as possible, but we’re open to waiting for longer if the ideal candidate isn’t available immediately.

Time zones and location

This is a full-time, permanent position. We encourage in-person work from our office in Cambridge, UK, or from Washington, DC, but we have staff working from many different countries and support flexibility where needed.

Our benefits include:

• Flexible working hours, with in-person work encouraged from our office in Cambridge, UK.
• 5 weeks of PTO recommended per year, plus public holidays.
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave that can be taken prior to birth or adoption and during the first year, with the option to take additional unpaid leave.
• Employer pension or matching 401(k) contribution up to 4% of your salary.
• Health insurance for employees residing in countries without nationalized healthcare.
• An annual reimbursement fund of $5,000 for productivity and professional development.
• An annual reimbursement fund of $5,000 for mental health support.
• An annual reimbursement fund of $2,500 for equipment and office supplies.
• A friendly, open work culture that encourages feedback and close collaboration, and a team that appreciates the contributions of all team members.

Diversity

We aim to employ people with many different experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds who share our mission. We are committed to creating an environment where all employees have the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their race, religion, disability, national origin, gender, or sexual orientation.

Requests for accommodation

If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability or incompatible assistive technology, please contact hiring@law-ai.org to request reasonable accommodations.