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Position Summary
The Associate Director provides overall leadership for research operations, external relations, policy engagement, communications, and development. They will:
- Craft and execute a unified 3- to 5-year strategic plan that aligns CMTD & MEO missions.
- Oversee day-to-day management (staffing, compliance, governance).
- Steer a multidisciplinary research portfolio spanning technology governance, information-ecosystem health, election integrity, mis/disinformation and media policy.
- Translate research into influence and impact—cultivating relationships with policymakers, regulators, industry, civil-society partners and the media.
- Lead knowledge-mobilization and public-communication efforts (reports, briefs, web, podcasts, events, press).
- Co-develop and execute a diversified fundraising strategy (grants, philanthropy, partnerships) and support Professor Owen on major donor cultivation.
- Support the AI strategy of the Max Bell School of Public Policy.
- Represent the merged centre within McGill, with external funders, and in national and global policy networks.
- Foster an inclusive, collaborative culture that values equity, diversity and mentoring of students and early-career researchers.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic & Organizational Leadership
- Integrate CMTD and MEO structures into a single coherent entity.
- Develop and monitor multi-year strategic plans, governance processes, and KPIs.
- Report regularly to the advisory board and ensure compliance with McGill research-centre policies.
Research Management
- Approve project pipelines and allocate resources across mixed-method studies.
- Uphold methodological rigor and research ethics, including data-sharing and privacy protocols.
- Negotiate and manage external research partnerships and institutional agreements.
Policy Engagement
- Coordinate briefings, testimony, and consultations with federal, provincial, and international bodies.
- Maintain high-trust relationships with policymakers, regulators, industry, and civil-society partners.
- Translate research findings into actionable policy recommendations and public commentary.
Public Communication
- Oversee communications staff and set an integrated editorial/calendar strategy (reports, briefs, podcasts, events, social media).
- Serve as a frequent spokesperson for the merged centre, including media interviews and op-eds.
- Grow the centre’s digital presence and flagship public events.
Development & Finance
- Build and manage multi-year budgets; track grant deliverables and reporting.
- Lead major grant proposals and cultivate new funding streams (philanthropy, government, corporate social-impact).
- Support Professor Taylor Owen in stewarding major donors and institutional partners.
People & Culture
- Supervise and mentor a team of 50-60 staff, postdocs, and research assistants.
Required Qualifications
- Education – Advanced degree in public policy, communication, political science, information science, law, or related field or comparable senior leadership experience in a think tank, NGO, or public-sector research unit.
- Experience – Minimum 7–10 years managing multi-disciplinary teams and complex budgets; demonstrable success turning research into policy or public impact; track record of winning and stewarding six- or seven-figure grants.
- Subject-matter expertise – Deep understanding of digital-platform governance, AI policy, media policy, information-disorder, and democratic resilience.
- Skills – Strategic planning; stakeholder diplomacy; superior written/oral communication; media savvy; data-literacy sufficient to guide large-scale computational projects; bilingualism (English/French) or commitment to attain functional French; familiarity with university environments.
Assets
- Established networks in Ottawa and internationally, provincial capitals, international tech-policy circles, and/or philanthropic communities.
- Experience coordinating multi-institution national research consortia.
- Demonstrated public-facing profile (op-eds, media commentary, conference speaking).
Length of Appointment:
Full-time, renewable 3-year contract (subject to probationary review).
Salary:
Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Salary:
Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Posting Period:
Please submit your application within 15 days of the publication of this advertisement.
Required Documents:
The following supporting documents are required:
Please submit your application within 15 days of the publication of this advertisement.
Required Documents:
The following supporting documents are required:
- cover letter and curriculum vitae
- statement of research
- names and contact information of three referees
Before applying, please note that to work at McGill University, you must be both authorized to work in Canada and willing to work in the province of Quebec at the campus where the position is based / located.
McGill University is an English-language university where most teaching and research activities are conducted in the English language, thereby requiring English communication both verbally and in writing.
McGill University is committed to equity and diversity within its community and values academic rigour and excellence. We welcome and encourage applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to engage productively with diverse communities.
At McGill, research that reflects diverse intellectual traditions, methodologies, and modes of dissemination and translation is valued and encouraged. Candidates are invited to demonstrate their research impact both within and across academic disciplines and in other sectors, such as government, communities, or industry.
McGill further recognizes and fairly considers the impact of leaves (e.g., family care or health-related) that may contribute to career interruptions or slowdowns. Candidates are encouraged to signal any leave that affected productivity, or that may have had an effect on their career path. This information will be considered to ensure the equitable assessment of the candidate’s record.
McGill implements an employment equity program and encourages members of designated equity groups to self-identify. It further seeks to ensure the equitable treatment and full inclusion of persons with disabilities by striving for the implementation of universal design principles transversally, across all facets of the University community, and through
accommodation policies and procedures
. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact, in confidence, .
All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
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