External Affairs & Coalitions Associate (Workforce and Labor Relations)

Secure AI Now; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

Hybrid schedule

National impact

Job summary

Alliance for Secure AI in Washington, DC, is seeking an External Affairs & Coalitions Associate (Labor and Grassroots) to serve as a bridge between policy and the shop floor. This role will act as a primary engine for our grassroots labor coalition, engaging with union locals and Hill staffers alike.

The candidate will build a nationwide coalition, translate data into compelling narratives, and organize field events to elevate worker voices in AI policy discussions.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of professional experience in grassroots organizing, labor unions, or political campaigns.
• Labor fluency and understanding of union structures.
• Strong written and spoken communication; capable of translating tech-speak for everyday people.
• Self-starter mentality; comfortable in the build phase and wearing multiple hats.

Responsibilities

• Build the network: identify, recruit, and maintain relationships with labor leaders, union organizers, and worker centers.
• Humanize the data: create a storytelling pipeline to turn data into advocacy narratives.
• Field presence: organize town halls, listening tours, and community sessions to center worker voices.
• Bridge building: coordinate a national coalition of labor and economic justice groups.
• Collaborative action: lead sign-on letters, petitions, and days of action to show broad support.
• Strategic alignment: track partners' priorities to stay aligned with labor movement goals.
• Campaign execution: help design and run bottom-up campaigns targeting policymakers.
• Rapid response: coordinate timely responses to AI-related labor developments.

Skills

Grassroots organizing

Labor unions

Political campaigns

Job description

External Affairs & Coalitions Associate (Labor and Grassroots)

• Location: Washington, D.C. (Hybrid)
• Organization: Alliance for Secure AI
• Salary Range: Commensurate with experience $80,000-$120,000

About the Alliance

The Alliance for Secure AI is a bipartisan nonprofit at the forefront of the most consequential policy shift of our generation. We believe that the future of AI shouldn’t just be decided in Silicon Valley boardrooms or closed-door hearings—it must be shaped by the people who keep the country running. We bridge the gap between high-tech policy and the American workforce to ensure AI is a tool for empowerment, not displacement.

The Role

We are looking for a high-energy organizer and relationship-builder to serve as the bridge between the policy world and the shop floor. As the External Affairs & Coalitions Associate, you won’t just be “assisting”—you will be a primary engine for our grassroots labor coalition. This role is for someone who can talk shop with a union local president in the morning and brief a Hill staffer in the afternoon.

Key Responsibilities

• Build the Network: Identify, recruit, and maintain deep-rooted relationships with labor leaders, union organizers, and worker centers.
• Humanize the Data: Build a “storytelling pipeline” that captures how AI and automation are changing the lives of workers, turning raw data into compelling advocacy narratives.
• Field Presence: Organize and lead town halls, listening tours, and community sessions to ensure worker voices are the heartbeat of our policy goals.
• Bridge Building: Coordinate a national coalition of labor and economic justice organizations, ensuring alignment on shared legislative and regulatory goals.
• Collaborative Action: Lead working groups and joint actions (sign-on letters, petitions, and days of action) that demonstrate broad-based support for secure AI.
• Strategic Alignment: Track the evolving priorities of our partners to ensure the Alliance remains a trusted, indispensable resource for the labor movement.

Advocacy & Rapid Response

• Campaign Execution: Help design and execute “bottom-up” pressure campaigns targeting federal and state-level policymakers.
• Rapid Response: Stay nimble. When AI-related labor developments or layoffs hit the news, you’ll help coordinate our response and ensure impacted workers have a platform.

Qualifications

• Experience: 3–5 years of professional experience in grassroots organizing, labor unions, or political campaigns. You know how to move people to action.
• Labor Fluency: You understand union structures, collective bargaining, and the unique challenges facing today’s workforce.
• Communication: You’re a sharp writer and a persuasive speaker. You can translate complex “tech-speak” into clear, actionable language for everyday people.
• Self-Starter Mentality: You’re comfortable in the “build” phase of an organization—proactive, resourceful, and ready to wear multiple hats.

Bonus Points for

• Existing relationships within the AFL-CIO, SEIU, UAW, or other major workforce aligned trade industry like NAM.

Why Join Us?

AI is moving fast, and the rules are being written right now. At the Alliance, you’ll be in the room where it happens, ensuring that the transition to an AI-driven economy is fair, secure, and pro-worker.

• Competitive DC Benefits: Premium health, dental, and vision coverage.
• Flexibility: A hybrid schedule that respects your work-life balance.
• Impact: The opportunity to build a national movement from the ground up at the intersection of technology and civil rights.