Senior Program Manager, Trust & Safety at Character.AI

Redwood City, California, United States

Character.AI Logo
$200,000 – $280,000Compensation
Senior (5 to 8 years)Experience Level
Full TimeJob Type
UnknownVisa
AI, TechnologyIndustries

Requirements

  • 7–10 years of experience in program management, operations, or product execution in a fast-moving tech environment
  • Experience in Trust & Safety, content moderation, risk management, or crisis response (3–4 years minimum)
  • Proven ability to lead complex, multi-team initiatives from inception through delivery
  • Strong communication skills and the ability to bridge technical and non-technical partners
  • Experience identifying, vetting, and managing external vendors, partners, and safety experts
  • Ability to break down ambiguous spaces into clear next steps and drive alignment
  • Deep interest in Trust & Safety, responsible AI, and building safer products at scale
  • Nice to Have
  • Familiarity with AI safety concepts, annotation pipelines, or classifier development
  • Comfort with SQL, dashboards, or data tools for measuring program impact
  • Understanding of the AI entertainment space or Character.AI ecosystem

Responsibilities

  • Lead planning and execution of major Trust & Safety initiatives spanning moderation, detection systems, vendor workflows, and policy impact
  • Build structures that keep teams aligned: scopes, goals, requirements, timelines, risks, and success measures
  • Influence roadmap prioritization in partnership with product, eng, and research, ensuring safety requirements are fully understood and addressed
  • Drive cross-functional accountability and communication across internal teams and external partners
  • Track key program metrics and define reporting that helps leadership see progress, risk, and resourcing needs
  • Manage vendors and external partners to performance expectations and quality standards
  • Develop repeatable frameworks and operational patterns that improve execution quality across the Trust & Safety portfolio
  • Serve as a strategic advisor to leaders on prioritization, sequencing, and investment decisions

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

Program ManagementTrust & SafetyCross-Functional LeadershipRisk ManagementVendor ManagementMetrics TrackingRoadmap PrioritizationModerationDetection SystemsPolicy ImpactStakeholder Influence

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

What is the salary range for the Senior Program Manager, Trust & Safety role?

The salary range is $200K - $280K.

Is this a remote position or does it require office work?

This information is not specified in the job description.

What experience and skills are required for this role?

Candidates need 7–10 years in program management, operations, or product execution in tech, with 3–4 years minimum in Trust & Safety, content moderation, or risk management. Required skills include leading complex multi-team initiatives, strong communication to bridge technical and non-technical partners, managing vendors, and breaking down ambiguity into clear steps.

What is the company culture like for this role at Character.AI?

The role involves partnering closely with engineering, operations, policy, and research teams in a fast-moving tech environment, acting as connective tissue between groups, influencing without authority, and thriving in ambiguity while focusing on outcomes.

What makes a strong candidate for this Senior Program Manager position?

A strong candidate has 7–10 years of program management experience in tech with 3–4 years in Trust & Safety, excels at leading cross-functional initiatives, influencing without authority, managing vendors, and driving alignment in ambiguous situations, plus a deep interest in responsible AI.

Character.AI

AI platform for creating virtual characters

About Character.AI

Character AI provides a platform that allows users to create and manage virtual characters with distinct personalities. These characters can engage with users in a realistic way, enhancing interactions in various digital settings. The platform is utilized by game developers to create immersive characters that improve gameplay, and by businesses to develop virtual customer service agents that offer a more personalized experience compared to traditional automated systems. Character AI differentiates itself from competitors by focusing on the depth of personality and engagement of its virtual characters. The company aims to capitalize on the growing AI market, providing continuous access to its platform through a subscription or licensing model, which supports its goal of expanding its client base and enhancing digital interactions.

Menlo Park, CaliforniaHeadquarters
2021Year Founded
$145.9MTotal Funding
SERIES_ACompany Stage
Consumer Software, AI & Machine Learning, GamingIndustries
51-200Employees

Risks

Legal issues arise from harmful chatbot interactions, impacting company reputation.
AI companions risk contributing to radicalization among young men.
Competitive price dumping in AI model sales threatens profit margins.

Differentiation

Character.AI offers unique virtual characters with distinct personalities for user interaction.
The platform supports diverse applications, from gaming to customer service enhancement.
Character.AI's technology enables realistic and engaging digital interactions.

Upsides

Character.AI benefits from the growing AI market, projected to reach $190.61 billion by 2025.
Google's acquisition highlights Character.AI's cost-efficient AI model operations.
The platform's subscription model ensures steady revenue and continuous client access.

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