David E. Nicholson
Operations and program manager for mission-driven research organizations.
I run programs, awards, and events that help research teams turn complex work into organized action — most recently directing AI-safety programs at the Future of Life Institute.
What I do
AI-Safety & Mission-Driven Program Operations
Directing AI-safety research programs at the Future of Life Institute: program strategy across academic and industry partners, award and event operations, and the due diligence behind funding decisions. The operations spine applied to one of the field's hardest coordination problems.
See the case study →Program & Stakeholder Operations
Building the systems that let large programs run: a CRM implementation that cut learner support requests by 30% at the Harvard Kennedy School, and a partner program at Archibus that grew revenue 30% year over year. Operational wins with numbers attached.
See the case study →Teaching & Knowledge Communication
Making complex ideas legible — and teaching them. Nineteen years of instructional work at the Harvard Division of Continuing Education, plus eight long-form interviews with scholars for the Out of the Cave podcast. Evidence that the operations work rests on a broad, durable base.
See the case study →Selected work
AI-Safety Program & Award Operations
Program Director, Future of Life Institute (2020–2025)
Program strategy, a $500K award event, and due diligence informing $200K+ in funding decisions.
View →Learner Engagement Systems
Learner Engagement Manager, Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government (2020–2021)
A Salesforce CRM rollout that reduced support requests by 30% for 200+ participants.
View →Partner Program Management
Partner Manager, Archibus (2010–2020)
A 15-reseller partner program driving 30% YoY growth and $12M in annual partner revenue.
View →Looking for someone to run the programs behind serious research work.
Resume & Contact