Head of Policy Analysis
Application deadline: May 22nd, 2026
To apply: fill out this form
We are hiring a Head of Policy Analysis to lead what CeSIA writes and publishes on AI policy. You will set our analytical agenda, produce both public analysis and private briefings for decision-makers, and coordinate with a small team of analysts to work alongside you.
About CeSIA
CeSIA is an independent think tank and center of expertise dedicated to preventing major AI risks by equipping institutions with the insights and coalitions to govern AI. We engage the highest levels of AI governance, advising decision-makers across France, the EU, and multilateral institutions.
The role
Policymakers, journalists and peer organisations increasingly turn to us when they need insights and recommendations on AI policy. Right now, that demand outpaces what we can produce. We need someone whose job is to convert what we hear in meetings, what we see in upcoming political calendars, and what our research surfaces, into public analysis.
The Head of Policy Analysis owns that output. You will set the analytical agenda directly with the director, ship the work, and coordinate the team that lets us do this at scale.
What you’ll do
Produce and oversee policy analysis. Roughly half of what you produce is public: short notes, op-eds, briefings and explainers, typically related to upcoming policy and media moments. The other half is private: memos for MPs, journalists, and partner organizations that need governance analysis. You’ll write some of it and edit or commission the rest.
Manage fellows and analysts. You’ll run a small distributed team: fellows from programmes like SPAR and Talos, contract researchers, and junior analysts as we grow. You’ll coach them, edit their work, and stay on top of deadlines and quality. While we’re still building the team, expect more hands-on writing; as more people come on, you’ll lean further into management.
Track AI policy in real time. Read what matters. Flag what’s coming and what we should respond to.
Set the analytical agenda. You sit in the weekly editorial meeting with the Executive Director, Head of Policy Engagement, Head of Advocacy, and Head of Communications. Together you work out what we publish next, and why.
Engage with stakeholders directly. Present our work to policymakers, regulators, peer organisations and academic audiences. That can mean a closed-door briefing in a ministry, a parliamentary hearing, a conference talk, an expert workshop, or a coffee. Part of the job is to put our analysis in front of people who have a direct role in the drafting and enforcement of regulation, answer their questions, and bring back what you hear so the next thing we publish is sharper for it.
Who we’re looking for
You possess a blend of analytical rigor and narrative speed. You know how to synthesize complex information into clear, 1,000-word strategic briefs, and deliver high-quality insights on short notice to the stakeholders we engage with.
Concretely, we expect:
- A track record of solid analysis or research on AI policy or AI safety. We want to read what you’ve written and recognise the quality and the values.
- Working knowledge of the AI policy landscape — the EU AI Act and Code of Practice, the AI Office, the international diplomatic track, and the technical governance community (Far.AI, NeurIPS-adjacent work, frontier safety research).
- Management experience, ideally of distributed or part-time contributors. You know how to brief, edit, and unblock people without micromanaging them.
- Comfort with short deadlines. Things break. A model gets released. A law is introduced. You can decide what to write and ship it before the moment passes.
- Fluent English. Strong English is a hard requirement. French is a bonus.
- Strong interface skills with executive leadership. You will work tightly with the CEO and the rest of the leadership team. We need someone who can push back, prioritise, and own the policy analysis pipeline without constant re-litigation.
Bonus: prior experience presenting at venues like NeurIPS or running a research programme in a think tank, civil-society organisation, or AI lab.
What we offer
A team of around ten, with offices in Paris, working on what we think are some of the most consequential questions of the next decade; a peer group of partners and funders who take this work seriously; and a leadership team that wants you to grow into the role.
Practical details
- Contract: Full-time
- Location: Fully remote within Europe (UK included). Our Paris office is open if you’d rather work on-site.
- Compensation: €55,000–€70,000 gross annual, with adjustment possible based on location.
- Start date: As soon as possible.
How to apply
To apply, fill out this form.
The process typically includes a short screening interview, a paid work task (2–4 hours), an in-depth interview, and potentially a paid 2–5 day work trial.
Reach out to Florent Berthet (florent@cesia.org) if you have any questions.