Program Lead

You own one Pivotal program end to end: who it serves, how it runs, and what it achieves.

• Salary: £86,750–£155,500 per year, depending on seniority. We may be able to pay more for exceptional candidates.

• Location: London, at our office at LISA

• Hours: Full time

• Visa: We can sponsor a Skilled Worker visa, but approval isn't guaranteed.

Why work at Pivotal

Pivotal finds people who can work on the biggest risks from advanced AI and gets them working on them. Since 2024, 135 fellows have taken part in our fellowships, and alumni now work at METR, Apollo Research, UK AISI and GovAI. We have grown from 2 staff in 2024 to 10 today, and we plan to reach at least 16 in 2027. Read more about us at pivotal-research.org, and about what it is like to work here.

What you will own

You'll own one Pivotal program end to end, most likely the Biodefense Fellowship or the AI Uplift Program. You decide who the program is for, what it should achieve and how we measure that, and you are accountable for its results. You'll lead the Research Managers who work on your program.

Inside Pivotal, you set the program's yearly plan and budget, lead its team, and decide what to change after each cohort based on how fellows did. Outside Pivotal, you represent the program: you recruit its mentors and partners, and you speak for it to funders and the field. Our operations team runs logistics and systems, so your time goes to the decisions that make the program better.

You'll own:

• Strategy and design. Decide who the program is for, what it should achieve, and how we measure that. Set its yearly plan and budget with our CEO.

• Results. Track fellows' research and career outcomes, review each cohort, and improve the next one.

• Mentors and partners. Recruit mentors, advisors and partner organisations for the program.

• The program team. Lead the Research Managers who work on your program.

• External relationships. Represent the program to partners, funders and the field.

Who does well in this role

• You have led a program, product or team.

• You know the program's field & its people well.

• Strong judgement about which work matters most for reducing catastrophic risk.

• Experience managing people.

• You are decisive, honest and direct.

• You use AI well, and you know where it does not help.

• You care about reducing catastrophic risks from AI. You do not need a research background.

We don’t expect anyone to be strong in all of this. If the role excites you, please apply, even if you match only part of what we describe here.

How we hire

We review applications as they come in, so applying early helps. The process has these stages:

• Written application. A short form and your CV. It takes about 30 minutes.

• Automated video interview. About 10 minutes. You record short answers to a few questions, at a time that suits you.

• Work task. About 2 hours, based on real work in this role. We pay you for this time. You may use AI tools, as you would in the job. Tell us which ones you used and how.

• Personal interview. About 45 minutes. We discuss your work task and how you would approach the role. With your consent, we record it so that more of the team can review it.

• Work trial and references. Up to three paid days working with us at our office in London. We also speak to two referees, after asking you.

If you need an adjustment at any stage, such as extra time, tell us and we will arrange it. If you have questions, email team@pivotal-research.org.