Director, Policy

Do you want to be part of our innovative and entrepreneurial team?

Do you thrive in an entrepreneurial environment and enjoy working in a team atmosphere? Are you an "outside the box" thinker who strives to implement continuous improvements? Do you take a strategic approach to your work? Do you enjoy a fast-paced culture where your opinions are valued and respected? Do you enjoy building partnerships to solve mutually beneficial challenges?

Mitacs is a national not-for-profit that helps industry and non-profit partners solve strategic challenges by leveraging Canada's world-class post-secondary talent and a global network of industry, academic, and government partnerships. Through these collaborations, Mitacs helps business and community partners succeed, improves students' on-the-job skills development, and strengthens Canada's world-class innovation ecosystem. At Mitacs, we strive to develop the next generation of innovators with vital research and business skills. In partnership with domestic and international companies, governments, and academia, we support a new economy using Canada's most valuable resource – its people.

To get a better understanding of Mitacs and read more about our values, please visit our website.

As required by Canadian law, all employees must be legally entitled to work in Canada throughout their employment with Mitacs.

Profile Summary
Mitacs is seeking a Director, Policy to advance the organization's role as a leader in Canada's research and innovation policy landscape. Reporting to the Vice President, Policy, Program Development and Government Relations, this position will shape and execute a national policy agenda that aligns with Mitacs' priorities, strengthens relationships with key stakeholders, and drives measurable impact on Canada's innovation ecosystem. The Director, Policy will oversee policy development, advocacy strategies, and legislative recommendations, while representing Mitacs in high-profile policy discussions and consultations.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Policy Leadership & Advisory

• Develop and execute a strategic policy agenda that aligns with Mitacs' priorities and strengthens its position as a leader in research and innovation policy.
• Provide high-level policy advice to the Executive Committee, identifying opportunities for Mitacs to influence national and provincial policy discussions.
• Oversee the development of policy frameworks, advocacy strategies, and legislative recommendations to advance research, innovation, and economic development initiatives.
• Maintain and grow relationships with key innovation policy stakeholders, including senior government officials, policymakers, industry leaders, universities, and think tanks.

Research & Policy Development

• Oversee the creation of high-impact policy materials, including white papers, op-eds, policy reports, and government submissions.
• Lead and manage projects focused on original research in Canadian innovation policy to inform Mitacs program development and support government initiatives.
• Monitor and analyze national and international innovation policy developments, identifying emerging trends and best practices.
• Ensure accurate and timely reporting on government contracts, funding agreements, and policy proposals.

Government & External Relations

• Serve as a primary external representative for Mitacs, participating in high-profile conferences, roundtables, and policy discussions.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with government departments, research institutions, and industry partners to advance Mitacs' policy priorities.
• Support Government Relations and External Relations teams in strengthening partnerships with governments, universities, and international organizations.
• Engage in lobbying activities in compliance with the Lobbying Act to advance innovation policy priorities.

Performance & Policy Impact

• Collaborate with the Program Evaluation team to implement evidence-based policy development aligned with government expectations.
• Oversee performance measurement strategies to ensure Mitacs' programs deliver tangible policy impact.
• Develop innovative approaches to measuring and communicating the impact of Mitacs' programs on Canada's research and innovation ecosystem.

Team Leadership & Management

• Directly manage the Policy team, providing mentorship, professional development, and strategic guidance.
• Oversee workload, priorities, and quality control to ensure policy materials meet the highest standards.
• Foster a collaborative and high-performing team culture, working closely with other Mitacs departments to achieve shared goals.
• Ensure policy initiatives are fully integrated with Mitacs' strategic objectives, including business development and government engagement efforts.

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Degree in Public Policy, Political Science, Economics, Business, or a related field; a PhD or equivalent experience is considered an asset.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in policy development, government relations, or strategic advocacy, preferably within research, innovation, or economic development sectors.
• Proven track record of influencing policy at federal and provincial levels and engaging with senior government officials and industry leaders.
• Strong understanding of Canadian innovation policy, research ecosystems, and economic development frameworks.
• Demonstrated success in developing high-impact policy materials and leading evidence-based policy initiatives.
• Leadership experience managing teams and fostering collaboration across departments.
• Ability to navigate government processes, legislative frameworks, and compliance requirements.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Bilingualism (English/French) is an asset. Knowledge of written and spoken English is required in this role as you will interact with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders located across Canada.

Hiring Range: $117,200 - $139,175

Hiring and Salary Range Transparency
Typically, employees are hired, transferred, or promoted within the salary range, specifically between the minimum and midpoint in the hiring range.

The salary range refers to the range of base salaries for a given position, encompassing the minimum and maximum amounts. The midpoint of the range is positioned approximately halfway between the minimum and maximum, indicating a fully qualified employee with comprehensive job knowledge and experience for the role.

Only in rare and exceptional circumstances, where a candidate has the experience, skills, and expertise that far exceed those required for the position, would we consider paying above the hiring range for this role.

Equity, diversity, and inclusion are core values at Mitacs: Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion - Mitacs. We believe a diverse workforce comprised of individuals with different ideas, strengths, interests, and backgrounds (e.g., gender identities and expressions, Indigeneity, race, abilities, sexual orientation, and other identities) are crucial to our success. We welcome everyone to apply and encourage you to connect with us if you require accommodations during the recruitment process.