MATS (Machine Alignment, Transparency, and Security) Research is a nonprofit research and education program working to solve the talent bottleneck in AI safety and security. Through fellowship programs in Berkeley and London, it has supported 630+ researchers and produced 215+ research publications.
MATS is looking for a sharp, discreet, and highly organized Executive Assistant to support CEO Ryan Kidd and COO Christian Smith. This high-trust role sits at the center of a fast-growing nonprofit: you will manage complex calendars, coordinate travel across the Berkeley and London offices, prepare materials for board and donor meetings, and act as a force multiplier so both leaders can focus on fundraising, strategy, and scaling the AI safety field. The role sits within the People team and reports to the Head of People, with day-to-day direction from the CEO and COO.
Responsibilities:
- Calendar & scheduling: manage complex, shifting calendars for both executives, resolving conflicts and prioritizing high-value meetings (donors, board members, mentors, partner organizations).
- Travel coordination: book and manage domestic and international travel, including Berkeley-London trips, conferences and donor visits; handle itineraries and expense reconciliation.
- Communications: draft and proofread correspondence, prepare briefing documents, and manage inboxes with sound judgment.
- Meeting support: prepare agendas, materials and minutes for board meetings, leadership syncs and donor/investor calls; track action items.
- Financial & operations admin: support expense tracking, reimbursements, vendor coordination and light operational admin.
- Event coordination: assist with internal offsites, board meetings and donor or partner gatherings.
- Confidentiality: handle sensitive financial, personnel and donor information with absolute discretion.
- Special projects: research, vendor comparisons, process documentation and light project management.
Requirements:
- 3+ years as an Executive Assistant, Chief of Staff, or similar high-trust support role, ideally supporting founders or senior leadership.
- Ability to juggle two executives' priorities and triage urgency.
- Sound judgment and autonomy on scheduling, correspondence and logistics.
- Clear, professional written and verbal communication with board members, donors and partners.
- Demonstrated discretion with confidential information.
- Comfortable with calendar, travel and productivity tools (e.g., Google Workspace).
- Interest in AI safety or the nonprofit research/education space is a strong plus.
Nice to have: experience supporting a CEO and a finance-focused executive; startup, nonprofit or research environment experience; familiarity with US/UK travel logistics; light bookkeeping.
Benefits: competitive salary and benefits; Berkeley salary band $91,500-122,000.
HOW TO APPLY:
Submit your resume along with a short note on why you're interested in supporting MATS' executive team via the online application form. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
https://forms.matsprogram.org/job-application