AI Health Program Director — High-Burden Diseases

OpenAI Foundation; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 300,000 - 370,000; Full time

Job summary

OpenAI Foundation is building out a life sciences program to accelerate AI-enabled cures and health improvements. The Program Director, High-Burden Diseases will shape strategy, source grants, and engage with researchers and partners worldwide to advance progress in critical diseases.

Based in San Francisco, this founding role blends scientific breadth with strategic execution, across multiple focus areas and external collaborations. Hybrid work and travel are expected as the program grows.

Qualifications

• 10-15+ years of relevant experience preferred.
• Experience in biology, translational medicine, global health, or related fields is desirable.
• Ability to engage across scientific and strategic topics with senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Support strategy, grantmaking execution, and portfolio management with Head of High-Burden Diseases.
• Source, evaluate, and recommend grants across multiple domains within the program.
• Research new disease or technology areas and shape investment theses for focus areas.
• Engage with researchers, nonprofits, startups, centers, funders, and grantees worldwide.
• Build relationships with leaders across scientific and health fields relevant to the Foundation.
• Conduct diligence on organizations and projects, assessing merit and potential impact.
• Write internal recommendations, briefs, and strategy memos for decision making.
• Identify ecosystem gaps and propose new initiatives or partnerships.
• Support creation of new initiatives from zero-to-one and convene stakeholders.
• Over time, take broader ownership of growing portfolios or focus areas.
• Represent the Foundation in external conversations to build credibility and opportunities.

Skills

Program management

Grantmaking

Strategy development

Stakeholder engagement

Scientific evaluation

Communication skills

Ambiguity navigation

Global health awareness

Job description

OpenAI Foundation is building out a life sciences program to accelerate AI-enabled cures and health improvements. The Program Director, High-Burden Diseases will shape strategy, source grants, and engage with researchers and partners worldwide to advance progress in critical diseases.

Based in San Francisco, this founding role blends scientific breadth with strategic execution, across multiple focus areas and external collaborations. Hybrid work and travel are expected as the program grows.