Head of Asia Pacific, Global Affairs

Job description

About the Team: OpenAI’s mission is to ensure that artificial general intelligence (AGI) benefits all of humanity.

Achieving this goal requires more than cutting-edge research—it demands deep, ongoing engagement with the policymakers, communities, and institutions shaping the future of AI.

The Global Affairs team leads this engagement.

We cultivate authentic, collaborative relationships with public officials, regulators, multilateral bodies, civil society leaders, and the broader AI policymaking community to ensure that diverse perspectives inform our work.

By bringing external insights into OpenAI and sharing our own learnings transparently, we help advance thoughtful regulation, responsible industry standards, and governance frameworks that promote the safe and beneficial development of AI technologies.

In close partnership with our research, product, and policy colleagues, we work across regions to anticipate emerging issues, craft forward-looking strategies, and champion policies that align technological progress with human values.

Our mission is to help shape the global conversation on AI and ensure that the benefits of this transformative technology reach people everywhere.

About the Role: OpenAI is seeking a visionary and highly accomplished leader to serve as Head of Asia-Pacific, Global Affairs.

In this role, you will lead a team of public policy professionals to drive OpenAI’s policy engagements across the Asia-Pacific region.

You will shape regional campaigns, partnerships, and high-level government engagement to advance OpenAI’s mission while navigating complex regulatory environments.

Reporting to the VP of Global Affairs and serving on the APAC regional leadership team, you will initiate cross-functional initiatives and act as a trusted advisor to OpenAI’s global leadership.

This role includes representing OpenAI at the highest political levels, shaping AI policy debates and outcomes, and partnering with governments on initiatives that align AI with democratic values.

In this role, you will: Campaigns and Partnerships : Design and execute multi-country campaigns and flagship partnerships with governments, universities, industry, NGOs, and civil society across the Asia-Pacific region.

Policy & Government Engagement : Serve as OpenAI’s senior leader for public policy and government engagement across the Asia-Pacific region and cultivate relationships with heads of state, ministers, regulators, and multilateral institutions.

Strategy & Cross-Functional Collaboration : Set and execute the Global Affairs strategy for the APAC region in alignment with global priorities.

Leadership & Team Management : Lead and develop a high-performing team of policy professionals across multiple countries, fostering a culture of creativity, inclusivity, resilience, and accountability.

Representation & Advocacy : Represent OpenAI at high-level summits, conferences, and bilateral dialogues.

• Campaigns and Partnerships: Design and execute multi-country campaigns and flagship partnerships with governments, universities, industry, NGOs, and civil society across the Asia-Pacific region.
  
  
• Policy & Government Engagement: Serve as OpenAI’s senior leader for public policy and government engagement across the Asia-Pacific region and cultivate relationships with heads of state, ministers, regulators, and multilateral institutions.
  
  
• Strategy & Cross-Functional Collaboration: Set and execute the Global Affairs strategy for the APAC region in alignment with global priorities.
  
  
• Leadership & Team Management: Lead and develop a high-performing team of policy professionals across multiple countries, fostering a culture of creativity, inclusivity, resilience, and accountability.
  
  
• Representation & Advocacy: Represent OpenAI at high-level summits, conferences, and bilateral dialogues.
  
  

You’ll thrive in this role if you:

• Are a seasoned leader at the intersection of technology and public policy, comfortable working in ambiguous and rapidly evolving environments.
  
  
• Inspire and develop diverse teams, empowering colleagues to excel while maintaining accountability and high ethical standards.
  
  
• Enjoy building coalitions and thrive both independently and as part of a high-performing, peer-led global team.
  
  
• Are a strong communicator and public advocate who can translate complex technical and policy concepts into compelling narratives for diverse audiences.
  
  
• Embrace cross-functional collaboration and can unify technical, legal, commercial, and operational stakeholders around a shared mission.
  
  

We’re looking for a blend of:

• 15+ years of experience in government, international affairs, technology policy, corporate diplomacy, or a related field, including senior leadership roles.
  
  
• Established credibility and relationships with institutions and regulators, national governments, and other policymakers in the Asia-Pacific region.
  
  
• Proven ability to lead and execute high-stakes policy campaigns, shape legislation or regulation, and build partnerships across multiple countries.
  
  
• Demonstrated success managing and developing teams across diverse cultural contexts with a track record of investing in people and fostering professional growth.
  
  
• Deep knowledge of APAC political and regulatory ecosystems, with a strong grasp of AI-related issues such as safety, privacy, competition, and infrastructure.
  
  
• Exceptional judgment, integrity, and political instincts with a proven ability to build consensus across diverse stakeholders, advance bold ideas, and deliver results in fast-moving, dynamic environments.
  
  
• Outstanding communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills with a track record of influencing senior stakeholders.
  
  
• Experience working across functions (e.g., legal, research, communications, commercial) to develop coordinated strategies and deliver results.
  
  

Location and Work Model

This role can be based in Singapore, Tokyo, Seoul, or Sydney.

We follow a hybrid work model of three days in the office each week and expect regular travel across APAC to meet key stakeholders.

About OpenAI

OpenAI is an AI research and deployment company dedicated to ensuring that general-purpose artificial intelligence benefits all of humanity.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and we do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or other applicable legally protected characteristic.

OpenAI is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities, and requests can be made via this link:

Required Skill Profession

Sales Management