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TFS Career Ladders

Description of TFS Roles and their

Performance Assessment Criteria


This document outlines the competencies expected from employees and contractors assigned to our governance roles – performance is to be assessed according to this criteria.
The four roles included in this document correspond to the following titles:
Governance Analyst
Governance Associate
Senior Governance Associate
Governance Director
The competencies that make up the governance ladder are:
Mission Alignment
Teamwork and Cohesion
Learning, Knowledge Management, and Subject Matter Expertise
Independence and Work Management
Written Communication
Stakeholder Engagement
People Management
Note that meeting or even exceeding expectations does not guarantee promotions between roles. Promotion decisions will be made based on a consideration of individual performance, organizational needs, and budget.
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Governance Career Ladder
Competency
Analyst
Associate
Senior Associate
Director
Mission Alignment
Demonstrates a commitment to TFS’ organizational values and mission of aligning AI through better governance
With manager guidance, understands and works in support of TFS’ theory of change
Contributes to a positive team culture, acknowledging the challenges of AI governance and celebrating our victories
Demonstrates a strong commitment to TFS’ organizational values and mission of aligning AI through better governance
Understands and works in support of TFS’ theory of change. Can clearly articulate this theory of change to a diverse audience
Demonstrates the ability to make informed critiques of TFS’ strategic approach
Contributes to a positive team culture, acknowledginge the challenges of AI governance and celebrating our victories

Demonstrates an exceptional commitment to TFS’ organizational values and mission of aligning AI through better governance. Proactively identifies opportunities to streamline our work to better support our mission, or to better align with our organizational values
Actively contributes to the development and evolution of TFS’ strategy and theory of change (including educating direct reports, and engaging in debate). Demonstrates the ability to make informed critiques of this approach in support of TFS achieving its goals
Serves as a leader and role model in cultivating a positive team culture, acknowledginge the challenges of AI governance and celebrating our victories
Demonstrates an exceptional commitment to professional ethics. Ensures that their reports consistently adhere to rigorous ethical standards


Sets the highest standard for commitment to TFS’ organizational values and mission of aligning AI through better governance. Motivates and inspires their reports to produce excellent work in support of this mission. Leads team in identifying and acting on opportunities to better achieve our mission or align with our organizational values
Shapes the development and evolution of TFS’ strategy and theory of change (including educating direct reports, and encouraging constructive debate). Encourages disagreement, debate, and critique of this approach to achieve the best possible outcomes
Takes responsibility and ownership of creating a positive team culture, acknowledging the challenges of AI governance and celebrating our victories
Sets the highest standard for commitment to professional ethics. Ensures that their reports consistently adhere to rigorous ethical standards
Rejects cynicism and despair in favor of pragmatism, agency, connection, and sustainable impact

Teamwork and Cohesion
With support from manager, collaborates with team members to achieve common goals and meet deadlines
Manages commitments in a constructive and reliable fashion. Communicates proactively about changes in timeline or capacity. Offers support to team members when possible
Demonstrates receptiveness to constructive feedback from manager and peers. Approaches the manager-report relationship responsibly and proactively, engaging in effective and open communication
Supports a positive and inclusive workplace culture
Actively engages in team meetings and discussions
Proactively and effectively collaborates with team members to achieve common goals and meet deadlines
Consistently manages commitments in a constructive and reliable fashion. Communicates proactively about changes in timeline or capacity. Offers support to team members when possible
Seeks and shares constructive feedback in support of individual and organizational growth. Approaches the manager-report relationship responsibly and proactively, engaging in effective and open communication
Supports a positive and inclusive workplace culture
Supports effective decision-making by contributing regularly to team meetings and discussions. May “own” and lead a recurring meeting

Serves as a role model of effective collaboration, proactively offering support and guidance to team members to achieve common goals and meet deadlines
Serves as a role model for managing commitments in a constructive and reliable fashion. Communicates proactively about changes in timeline or capacity. Offers support to team members when possible
Works to identify and considers the needs of other team members and of TFS as an organization
Consistently seeks and shares constructive feedback, demonstrating leadership in creating an open and growth-focused team culture. Works to foster psychological safety and encourage upward feedback for TFS leadership from Associates and Analysts. Approaches the manager-report relationship responsibly and proactively, engaging in effective and open communication
Demonstrates leadership in creating and maintaining a positive and inclusive workplace culture
Consistently drives effective decision making by contributing proactively and with well-reasoned arguments in team meetings and discussions. May “own” and lead recurring meetings
Serve as a mentor to junior staff to support their professional development

Sets the standard for effective collaboration. Effectively steers the work of their team to identify and address productivity challenges, resolve conflicts, and meet ambitious deadlines
Sets the standard for managing commitments in a constructive and reliable fashion. Communicates proactively, cross-functionally, and cross-thematically about changes in timeline or capacity. Defaults to open communication wherever is both possible and reasonable
Develops and maintains strong cross-functional and cross-thematic relationships within TFS to drive effective collaboration across teams
Fosters an open and growth-focused culture by actively seeking critical feedback and guiding the learning and development of their reports. Works to foster psychological safety and encourage upward feedback for TFS leadership from Senior Associates, Associates, and Analysts. Approaches the manager-report relationship responsibly and proactively, engaging in effective and open communication
Champions a supportive and inclusive team culture, proactively addressing relevant issues and modeling inclusive behavior.
Consistently leads efficient and productive meetings in order to drive decision making. Encourages the expression of diverse perspectives and constructive debate. Comfortably navigates conflict and disagreement
Mentor and coach junior staff outside of their direct reports to support professional development, inclusion, and belonging at TFS
Learning, Knowledge Management, and Subject Matter Expertise
Demonstrates understanding of the core AI governance issues, ecosystem, political economy, and the incentives of actors and decision makers. Proactively seeks opportunities to improve this knowledge with support from manager
With support from manager, complies with editorial and research best practices and continually improves understanding of these principles
Supports manager and senior team members in gathering knowledge that strengthens TFS’ work through a variety of channels
Continuously improves the ability to summarize and share knowledge with teammates and other colleagues
Demonstrates strong understanding of AI governance issues, ecosystem, political economy, and the incentives of actors and decision makers. Proactively and continuously improves this knowledge with support from manager
Demonstrate basic understanding of general-purpose AI technology, technical and operational elements, and its value chain
Demonstrates strong understanding of the ideas put forward by TFS
May contribute novel ideas to the field of AI governance, including institutional solutions, new projects, or improvements to TFS strategy
Independently complies with editorial and research best practices with limited manager intervention required
Effectively gathers, summarizes and shares knowledge with teammates and colleagues
Demonstrates exceptional understanding of AI governance issues, ecosystem, political economy, and the incentives of actors and decision makers. Proactively and independently improves this knowledge through continuous engagement with current research and reporting
Demonstrates nuanced understanding of general-purpose AI technology, technical and operational elements, and its value chain
Demonstrates exceptional understanding of the ideas and strategy put forward by TFS. Consistently provides contributions in internal discussions, helping to shape TFS strategy
Independently complies with editorial and research best practices with no manager intervention required. Supports junior team members in adhering to these standards
Contributes novel ideas and research to the field of AI governance, including institutional solutions, projects, and improvements to TFS strategy
Effectively gathers, summarizes and shares knowledge with teammates and colleagues
Serves as a role model and mentor for junior staff, helping them to improve their research skills and knowledge of AI governance issues
Sets the standard for knowledge of AI governance issues, ecosystem, political economy, and the incentives of actors and decision makers. Continuously improves this knowledge through engagement with current research and reporting, and ensures that their team is informed and engaged
Demonstrate nuanced understanding of general-purpose AI technology, technical and operational elements, and its value chain
Serves as a thought leader, both inside and outside of TFS. Takes ownership of TFS strategy and priorities in the relevant region or theme, steering internal discussions in support of TFS’ mission and goals
Serves as a role model for editorial and research best practices. Guides their reports and provides critical feedback as needed to develop their skills in this area
Exemplifies an analytical mindset, demonstrating an exceptional ability to digest complex ideas and perspectives and share the relevant learnings with colleagues
Serves as a role model and mentor for their reports and other staff, helping them to improve their research skills and knowledge of AI governance issues in support of their reports’ professional development goals and TFS’ mission

Independence and Work Management
Demonstrates effective time management
Effectively prioritizes tasks based on importance and urgency, in consultation with manager
Consistently delivers tasks and projects in compliance with manager-determined deadlines
Communicates progress updates and potential issues to manager in a timely and clear manner
Works independently, responsibly, reliably and asynchronously in a remote environment
Demonstrates strong time management skills, effectively balancing competing tasks and projects
Proactively prioritizes tasks and projects based on team and organizational needs, in consultation with manager
Collaborates with manager to set goals and meet deadlines. Consistently delivers tasks and projects on time with moderate supervision.
If assigned project management responsibilities, successfully leads the project forward to meet milestones, deadlines and deliver quality outputs with supervision from senior staff.
Communicates progress and potential issues to manager and relevant team members in a timely and clear manner
Proactively identifies and proposes solutions to organizational and team challenges, supporting a culture of continuous improvement
Demonstrates a moderate overall level of independence and self-direction
Adapts well to shifting circumstances, demonstrating flexibility and resilience
Works independently, responsibly, reliably and asynchronously in a remote environment
Demonstrates excellent time management skills, routinely balancing a wide range of competing priorities, tasks and projects as well as workstream priorities (i.e. priorities related to specific vessels or institutional solutions)
Independently prioritizes tasks, projects, and workstreams based on team and organizational needs, with limited manager input required
Independently and proactively sets ambitious goals and deadlines. Consistently delivers tasks and projects on time with minimal supervision to advance associated workstreams
If assigned project management responsibilities, successfully leads the project to meet milestones, deadlines and deliver high quality outputs.
Proactively communicates progress and potential issues to all relevant stakeholders in a timely and clear manner
Proactively identifies and proposes solutions to organizational and team challenges, supporting a culture of continuous improvement
Demonstrates a high overall level of independence and self-direction
Consistently and easily adapts to shifting circumstances, demonstrating a high degree of flexibility and resilience
Works independently, responsibly, reliably and asynchronously in a remote environment
Demonstrates exceptional time management skills, effectively balancing a complex portfolio of functional or organizational responsibilities, multiple workstreams (i.e. vessels and institutional solutions), projects, and tasks. Shares time management best practices with reports and other staff
Independently sets strategic priorities for their reports in support of TFS’ goals and mission
Proactively communicates updates on progress and challenges within their portfolio with the other members of the executive team to support transparency and drive effective decision making
Demonstrates an exceptional overall level of independence and self-direction, taking full ownership of their team’s work and outcomes
Consistently navigates shifting circumstances and ambiguity with grace, demonstrating strong leadership and effective decision making
Successfully leads the projects to meet milestones, deadlines and deliver high quality outputs with junior staff
Works independently, responsibly, reliably and asynchronously in a remote environment
Written Communication
Support senior teammates in drafting outlines, papers, articles, talking points, and presentations
With support from manager, written work products are concise, accurate, and well-structured. Consistently produces written work that is at minimum 70% publication-ready
Effectively incorporates feedback and demonstrates continuous improvement in written and verbal communication
Demonstrates the ability to make well-reasoned arguments
Independently drafts high-quality outlines, papers, articles, talking points, and presentations
Written work products are concise, accurate, and well-structured with minimal manager intervention. Written work consistently requires little editing. Consistently produces written work that is at minimum 85% publication-ready
Proactively seeks and incorporates feedback on written work from manager and teammates. Demonstrates continuous improvement in written and verbal communication
Effectively adapts written content for diverse audiences, including non-experts
Demonstrates the ability to make well-reasoned and compelling arguments
Consistently and independently creates high-quality papers, articles, talking points, and presentations
Written work is consistently delivered 95% “publication-ready” with minimal manager intervention and little or no editing
Proactively seeks and incorporates feedback on written work from manager, teammates, and other relevant stakeholders
Effectively adapts style and content of written work for diverse audiences, including industry, academia, nonprofits, governments, and non-experts
Serves as a role model for effective and compelling writing. Offers support and mentorship to more junior team members
Proactively identifies and acts on opportunities to improve TFS’ written communications
Consistently makes well-reasoned and compelling arguments
Consistently and effectively leads team in producing high-impact and exceptionally written papers, articles, talking points, and presentations
Sets the standard for “publication-ready” written work. Ensures that all written materials meet the highest standards of quality. Responsible for ensuring that all written materials are properly aligned with TFS’ voice and mission
Serves as a role model for effective and compelling writing. Provides consistent guidance and critical feedback to team members to ensure continuous learning and improvement
Effectively adapts style and content of written work for diverse audiences, including industry, academia, nonprofits, governments, and non-experts
Proactively identifies and acts on opportunities for TFS to make an impact through written work
Sets the standard for making well-reasoned and compelling arguments
Stakeholder Engagement
Demonstrates continuous improvement in understanding of the key stakeholders in the AI governance space
Supports TFS’ engagement efforts by assisting with preparation of materials for external meetings and presentations
Demonstrates a high degree of professionalism in all interactions with external stakeholders
With manager approval, may represent TFS professionally and effectively in external meetings and events
Demonstrates a strong understanding of the key stakeholders in the AI governance space
In collaboration with manager, own the preparation responsibilities for external meetings, presentations, and other events
Proactively identifies and acts upon opportunities to engage and collaborate with a diverse range of stakeholders
Proactively seeks and incorporates feedback from partners to improve TFS work and expand its influence
In collaboration with manager, may coordinate with external stakeholders to identify and pursue common goals in support of TFS’ mission
In collaboration with manager, may represent TFS professionally and effectively in external meetings and events
Effectively adapts communication style to engage with a wide range of external stakeholders
Demonstrates an exceptional understanding of the key stakeholders in the AI governance space
Independently and proactively manages the preparation process for external meetings, presentations, and other events with limited manager input
Proactively identifies and acts upon opportunities to engage and collaborate with a diverse range of stakeholders
May own relationships with key stakeholders, acting as their primary point of contact at TFS and providing valuable insights and guidance
Independently represents TFS professionally and effectively in external meetings and events, demonstrating excellent public speaking skills
Serves as a role model for effective external communication, smoothly adapting communication style to engage with a wide range of external stakeholders across industries
Guide and mentor junior team members in order to help them gain skills and knowledge relevant to stakeholder engagement
Identifies opportunities for and encourages reports to attend external events – including speaking engagements where appropriate – for learning, networking, and profile-raising opportunities

Drives the development of TFS’ stakeholder engagement strategy. Sets goals, determines priorities, and tracks progress, ensuring alignment with TFS’ mission
Sets the standard for knowledge and understanding of key stakeholders in the AI governance space and the relationships between these stakeholders
Cultivates and maintains a strong, diverse, and growing network of strategic partnerships with external stakeholders and partners. Acts as the primary point of contact for many of these organizations
Represents TFS at the highest levels. Offers expert insights and guidance, acting as a trusted advisor to stakeholders and partners. Demonstrates exceptional public speaking skills, serving as a compelling spokesperson for TFS and advancing its mission through persuasive communication and advocacy
Serves as a role model for effective external communication, smoothly adapting communication style to engage with a wide range of external stakeholders across industries
Guides and mentors their team, sharing critical feedback as needed, in order to ensure continuous improvement of skills and knowledge relevant to stakeholder engagement
Identifies opportunities for and encourages reports to attend external events – including speaking engagements where appropriate – for learning, networking, and profile-raising opportunities
People Management
No managerial responsibilities
May manage vendors, contractors
May manage Associates, Analysts, fellows, and external contractors
Demonstrates continuous learning and improvement of management skills, following the best practices outlined in the Guide to Management at TFS
Proactively identifies opportunities for improvement in TFS’ management culture and resources and shares these with the Executive Committee

Manages a team that may consist of Senior Associates, Associates, Analysts, fellows, and external contractors. May manage Senior Associates or Associates who in turn manage junior staff. Manages team towards successful completion of project milestones and deliverables to meet deadlines and high standards for outputs.
Demonstrates exceptional people management skills, following the best practices outlined in the Guide to Management at TFS
Demonstrates a commitment to continuously growing and improving as a people manager
Proactively identifies and acts on opportunities for improvement in TFS’ management culture and resources
There are no rows in this table
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