Program Director, High-Burden Diseases & AI Health Impact

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

Job summary

OpenAI Foundation in San Francisco is building a life sciences program to accelerate progress on curing diseases and improving human health through AI and data. The program’s initial focus areas include AI for Alzheimer’s, Public Data for Health, and High-Burden Diseases, with this role helping shape strategy and invest resources across a global portfolio.

As Program Director, High-Burden Diseases, you will source and evaluate grants, engage with researchers and funders worldwide, and translate

Qualifications

• 10-15+ years of relevant experience preferred.
• Experience in biology, chemistry, translational medicine, drug development, global health, biotechnology, venture or grant investing in life sciences.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, including synthesizing complex information.
• Ability to engage credibly with external experts, institutions, and senior stakeholders.
• Strong strategic judgment with a bias toward execution and results.
• Ability to work effectively in a highly ambiguous, evolving environment.

Responsibilities

• Support strategy, grantmaking execution, and ongoing portfolio management across the High-Burden Diseases program.
• Source, evaluate, and recommend grants and funding opportunities across multiple domains.
• Research new disease or technology areas and develop investment theses for funding opportunities.
• Engage with researchers, nonprofits, startups, academic centers, funders, and other potential grantees globally.
• Build relationships with leaders across scientific and health fields relevant to the Foundation’s work.
• Conduct due diligence on organizations and projects, including scientific merit and potential impact.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Executive judgment

Communication (written and verbal)

External engagement

Ambiguity tolerance

Job description

OpenAI Foundation in San Francisco is building a life sciences program to accelerate progress on curing diseases and improving human health through AI and data. The program’s initial focus areas include AI for Alzheimer’s, Public Data for Health, and High-Burden Diseases, with this role helping shape strategy and invest resources across a global portfolio.

As Program Director, High-Burden Diseases, you will source and evaluate grants, engage with researchers and funders worldwide, and translate