The Centre for Media, Technology and Democracy (CMTD) has announced an exciting opening for the position of Associate Director, Policy, offering experienced policy professionals the opportunity to shape the future of digital governance, AI policy, platform regulation, and democratic resilience in Canada and internationally.
Hosted through McGill University and based in Montreal, this high-impact leadership role is ideal for professionals with deep expertise in public policy, media governance, artificial intelligence, online harms, digital sovereignty, and international technology regulation. The successful candidate will work at the intersection of research, policymaking, and public engagement while helping lead one of the most important conversations shaping democracies today — the governance of rapidly evolving digital technologies and AI systems.
The position comes with a competitive salary ranging from $90,000 to $110,000 annually, in addition to benefits, and offers the possibility of renewal after the initial one-year contract.
About the Centre for Media, Technology and Democracy (CMTD)
The Centre for Media, Technology and Democracy is focused on addressing some of the most urgent challenges facing modern democracies in the digital age. The organization works across research, policy, public engagement, and regulatory development to create evidence-based solutions surrounding:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) governance
- Platform regulation
- Information integrity
- Digital sovereignty
- Online harms
- Media and democracy
- Technology governance
As AI development accelerates globally, governments and democratic institutions are facing increasing pressure to develop effective regulatory systems. CMTD plays a central role in helping shape these conversations both within Canada and internationally.
The Associate Director, Policy will therefore become a key leader within the organization, helping translate complex research into practical policy recommendations that influence governments, regulators, and global institutions.
Position Overview
The Associate Director, Policy will lead CMTD’s policy stream and oversee the organization’s strategic policy direction. The selected candidate will be responsible for ensuring that the Centre’s research effectively informs public debate, regulatory frameworks, and government decision-making.
This role requires someone capable of bridging the gap between academic research and practical policymaking while also managing teams, engaging stakeholders, and representing the organization publicly.
The position is full-time and based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Contract Duration
- Initial contract: 1 year
- Possibility of renewal available
Salary and Benefits
- Annual salary range: $90,000 – $110,000
- Additional employee benefits included
- Salary determined based on experience and educational background
Major Responsibilities of the Associate Director, Policy
The role includes leadership responsibilities across policy development, stakeholder engagement, research translation, and operational management.
Policy Strategy and Research
The Associate Director will:
- Co-lead and shape the Centre’s policy research agenda
- Develop policy strategies aligned with institutional priorities
- Focus on major themes such as:
- AI governance
- Online harms
- Platform regulation
- Information integrity
- Identify emerging digital policy challenges
- Coordinate institutional responses to rapidly evolving technology issues
- Produce and supervise:
- Policy reports
- Consultation submissions
- Policy briefs
- Opinion editorials (op-eds)
- Develop integrated approaches connecting:
- Research
- Policy design
- Public engagement
Leadership and Team Management Duties
The successful applicant will also oversee the operational and management side of the policy stream.
Responsibilities include:
- Supervising policy staff and fellows
- Mentoring researchers and contractors
- Setting project deliverables and timelines
- Creating accountability structures
- Managing:
- Budgeting
- Impact tracking
- Funder reporting
- Policy project operations
Government and International Engagement
One of the most significant aspects of this role involves direct engagement with government officials, regulators, and international organizations.
The Associate Director will:
- Build relationships with:
- Elected officials
- Federal and provincial policymakers
- Parliamentary staff
- Regulators
- International governance bodies
- Represent CMTD in:
- Parliamentary committee appearances
- Legislative consultations
- Government briefings
- Regulatory proceedings
- Organize:
- Expert panels
- Roundtables
- Multi-stakeholder commissions
- Expand the Centre’s role in global technology governance discussions, including participation in:
- OECD forums
- United Nations discussions
- European Union digital policy processes
Public Communication and Media Representation
The role also demands strong communication and public engagement skills.
The selected candidate will:
- Translate technical and academic research into accessible policy recommendations
- Represent CMTD in:
- Conferences
- Public forums
- Media interviews
- Collaborate with research leads and leadership teams to define evidence-based policy positions
Required Qualifications
Applicants interested in this opportunity must possess strong experience in public policy, governance, and digital technology issues.
Required qualifications include:
- At least five years of experience in:
- Public policy
- Policy analysis
- Government affairs
- Digital governance
- AI policy
- Media policy
- Platform regulation
- Experience managing policy professionals or research teams
- Strong engagement experience with senior policymakers
- Experience leading:
- Policy consultations
- Expert working groups
- Roundtables
- Multi-stakeholder processes
- Excellent communication skills
- Ability to simplify technical research for policymakers and public audiences
- A graduate degree (Master’s or equivalent) in:
- Public Policy
- Law
- Political Science
- Communications
- Related disciplines
Additional Preferred Qualifications
While not mandatory, the following qualifications are considered strong advantages:
- Existing network with:
- Canadian federal government officials
- Parliamentary staff
- International digital policy regulators
- Familiarity with:
- EU Digital Services Act
- OECD AI governance frameworks
- UN digital governance discussions
- Bilingual proficiency in English and French
- Doctoral degree in a related field
Who Should Apply?
This opportunity is particularly suited for:
- Policy analysts
- Government affairs professionals
- AI governance experts
- Public policy researchers
- Digital rights advocates
- Technology governance specialists
- Civil society leaders
- Communications and democracy researchers
Candidates who are comfortable operating in both research and policy environments will likely excel in this position.
Location and Work Requirements
Important details regarding the role include:
- Position is in-person
- Based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Applicants outside Montreal may apply
- Candidates must be:
- Authorized to work in Canada
- Willing to relocate or work on-site in Quebec
Application Requirements
Applicants must combine all required documents into a single PDF file before submission.
The application package must include:
- Cover letter
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Writing sample
- Names and contact details of two references
Applicants should note that the Workday application portal only prompts for a CV upload, but all documents must be merged into one PDF file.
Important Notes
The Workday portal may list the position under a different internal title:
- “Academic Associate — Policy”
However, this is the same role as:
- Associate Director, Policy at CMTD
Deadline
No official application deadline has been specified. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.
Why This Opportunity Stands Out
This is not a routine policy role. The Associate Director, Policy position offers the chance to directly shape conversations around AI governance, platform accountability, democratic resilience, and technology regulation at a time when these issues are becoming central global policy concerns.
Professionals selected for this role will work alongside researchers, policymakers, and international stakeholders helping define the future of democratic governance in the age of AI.
Learn More and Apply
Interested applicants can apply through the official application portal HERE.
Click HERE to learn more about the job opportunity.
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