Vice President, Policy, Program Development & Government Relations / Vice-président·e, Politiques, É

Mitacs; Toronto; On-site; CAD 160,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Mitacs is seeking a VP for Policy, Program Development & Government Relations to enhance its profile and growth. The role involves strategic leadership, policy development, and government relations to support Canada’s innovation ecosystem. Ideal candidates will have extensive experience in program management and policy analysis, with strong communication skills and a commitment to equity and diversity.

Qualifications

• Over 10 years of experience managing successful programs and conducting policy analysis.
• Strong understanding of performance metrics and results measurement.

Responsibilities

• Champion the One Mitacs approach by fostering cross-departmental alignment.
• Develop and execute strategies to advocate for funding and policies.
• Lead negotiations for funding and ensure Mitacs’s position in the innovation landscape.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Change Management

Education

Undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in public policy

Job description

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 working in a fast-paced culture where your opinions are valued and respected?

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 innovation ecosystem. At Mitacs, we develop the next generation of innovators with vital research and business skills. We support a new economy using Canada’s most valuable resource – its people.

To learn more about Mitacs and our values, please visit our website.

Position Overview

The VP, Policy, Program Development & Government Relations will serve as a catalyst in building an integrated team supporting programs, government relations, policy, and evaluation. This role aims to enhance Mitacs’ profile, growth, and visibility, aligning with organizational priorities. The VP will monitor trends in innovation policy, ensure programs remain relevant to Canada’s needs, and build frameworks for risk, evaluation, and success metrics. The role reports to the CEO.

Leadership & Strategy

1. Champion the One Mitacs approach by fostering cross-departmental alignment to achieve strategic outcomes.
2. Create an integrated team that synthesizes internal and external intelligence to develop meaningful goals and strategies.
3. Provide leadership and management to ensure team alignment with strategic goals.
4. Lead strategic planning and resource allocation within the teams.
5. Empower the team through coaching, mentoring, and fostering a collaborative work environment.
6. Review financial reports, ensure budget alignment, and address variances.
7. Develop cost-benefit analyses for new programs and partnerships.

Policy, Program Development & Evaluation

1. Contribute to policy development and discussions to advance program evaluation and performance measurement.
2. Collaborate with stakeholders to stay abreast of trends and connect policy to program design.
3. Work with the Executive Committee to evaluate and prioritize new program opportunities.
4. Design relevant programs aligned with the mandate and priorities, including testing and scaling.
5. Lead data collection and synthesis to inform future programming.
6. Ensure data on outcomes and impacts is collected and used in decision-making.
7. Use diverse tools and methodologies for data collection and reporting.
8. Oversee economic impact assessments and produce regular impact reports demonstrating ROI.

Government Relations

1. Develop and execute strategies to advocate for funding, policies, and programs supporting the innovation ecosystem.
2. Maintain relationships with policymakers and stakeholders at federal and provincial levels.
3. Lead negotiations for funding and ensure Mitacs’s position in the innovation landscape.
4. Align external engagements with national and regional priorities.
5. Provide government intelligence and analysis for strategic planning.
6. Support program compliance and reporting for government-funded initiatives.
7. Oversee high-level meetings and events to strengthen policy influence.

Key Competencies & Qualifications

• Undergraduate and postgraduate degrees or equivalent experience in public policy, program development, and government relations.
• Over 10 years of experience managing successful programs and conducting policy analysis, with leadership in diverse teams.
• Proven track record in developing vision and strategy aligned with organizational mandates.
• Experience in change management and building new organizational functions.
• Strong understanding of performance metrics and results measurement.
• Ability to balance long-term strategy with operational priorities and initiate new initiatives.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to build consensus and convey complex information clearly.
• Bilingualism in English and French is an asset.

Salary Range: $160,000 - $190,000

We value equity, diversity, and inclusion. We encourage everyone to apply and can accommodate applicants during the recruitment process. For more information, visit our E&D page.