Program Strategy & Development Intern

Vector Institute; Toronto; On-site; CAD 85,411,000 - 96,432,000; Full time

Job summary

Vector Institute's Program Strategy & Development Intern role offers hands-on experience shaping emerging AI talent initiatives in Canada. You will support project planning, literature reviews, and data-driven reports while collaborating with cross-functional teams.

The Winter term runs Jan 11–Apr 23, 2027, with 36.25 or 20 hours per week, paid at $32/hour. Preference is given to Black and Indigenous candidates under Ontario Human Rights Code guidelines.

Qualifications

• You are a self-identified Black or Indigenous student or postdoctoral fellow or a recent graduate.
• You are in second year or higher, studying at a Canadian university or college, or a recent graduate within one semester of graduation.
• You have strong organization skills and attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• You have excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• You are a team player with a collaborative mindset, eager to learn and contribute to high-impact projects.
• You have proficiency in Google Workspace and familiarity with data cleaning and manipulation in Excel.
• You have experience in conducting literature reviews, writing reports, and generating key insights from data.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the development and execution of project plans and track action items.
• Conduct research and prepare literature reviews on the AI workforce landscape.
• Analyze survey results and translate findings into reports and materials.
• Develop a customer journey map and prototype for an application portal.
• Collaborate with the Research Operations & Academic Partnerships work stream to track metrics.
• Perform other duties to support Emerging AI Talent Initiatives.

Skills

Google Workspace

Data cleaning

Excel

Literature reviews

Report writing

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Tools

Google Docs

Google Sheets

Google Slides

Excel

Job description

The Program Strategy & Development Intern, Emerging AI Talent Initiatives will gain real-world experience in creating deliverables that support the strengthening of the AI talent pipeline at the Vector Institute and in Canada more broadly. Reporting to the Manager, Student Engagement and Research Programming or the Manager, AI Talent Initiatives, Early Talent, you will have the opportunity to participate in program strategy and design and contribute meaningfully to programming for emerging AI talent to deliver impactful outcomes.

Start date: January 11, 2027

End date: April 23, 2027

The applied internship program at Vector provides relevant, hands‑on learning and work experience in machine learning and AI. During the paid internship, interns will have the opportunity to attend research, recruitment, and commercialization talks at Vector and connect with key stakeholders in the AI ecosystem. Applied internships may be full‑time (36.25 hours per week) or part‑time (20 hours per week) over the Winter academic term (January 11 - April 23, 2027) with an opportunity to continue over the Summer 2027 academic term.

We welcome applications from all qualified candidates. Consistent with Vector’s goals in this program to relieve disadvantages and alleviate the under‑representation of Black and Indigenous people in AI, and to attempt to achieve equal opportunity in the field of AI, preference in hiring will be given to qualified Black and Indigenous persons, studying at or having recently graduated from a Canadian post‑secondary institute, who self‑identify as such in the application process. This initiative is designed to meet the criteria of a special program under the Ontario Human Rights Code.

Please note we are seeking two full time interns for this role.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist in the development and execution of project plans, such as mapping out workback plans, preparing necessary documents, tracking action items, and ensuring timely completion of tasks;
• Conduct research and prepare literature reviews on the current AI workforce landscape from the perspectives of talent and employers;
• Analyze survey results and findings from stakeholder consultations and synthesize the knowledge, skills, and strategies required of top talent in today’s AI industry into reports and other written materials;
• Develop a customer journey map and prototype for an application portal that can be used to assess and identify prospective emerging AI talent;
• Collaborate closely with the Research Operations & Academic Partnerships work stream to track metrics for key programs;
• Perform other duties as assigned to support the overall goals of Emerging AI Talent Initiatives.

The specific project(s) and deliverable(s) will be determined by the interview team’s assessment of your skills and your background.

PROFILE OF THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

• You are a self‑identified Black or Indigenous student or postdoctoral fellow (Indigenous ancestry or heritage – First Nations (status or non‑status), Métis or Inuit) or a recent graduate.
• You are in second year or higher, studying at a Canadian university or college, or a recent graduate within one semester of graduation.
• You have strong organization skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• You have excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• You are a team player with a collaborative mindset, eager to learn and thoughtfully contribute to high‑impact projects.
• Proficiency in Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides) and familiarity with data cleaning and manipulation (Excel)
• You have experience in conducting literature reviews, writing reports, and generating key insights and recommendations from data.

NICE TO HAVE

• You are passionate about AI education and the opportunity to impact programs that support prospective AI talent;
• You have experience in UX design or data visualization, such as developing a customer journey map, stakeholder map, or charts and diagrams to represent key findings;
• You have some knowledge of AI and machine learning, such as exposure to AI concepts through coursework or personal experiences;
• You have experience in project coordination and data management.

Please note this role gives preference to candidates who are available on a full‑time basis in the Winter term; however, all candidates will be considered.

COMPENSATION: $32/hour.

POSITION STATUS : This posting is for an existing vacancy.

USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE : Vector may use both internal and external third party AI‑based tools to assist in the screening of applications for this posting. Any data collected will be used solely for recruitment purposes and handled in accordance with Vector’s External Privacy Policy and Use of AI‑Based Tools in Recruitment and Selection Policy .

Inclusion And Equal Opportunity Employment

Vector believes AI powers possibility by advancing cutting‑edge research and translating it into real‑world impact through collaboration with research, industry, and government. Vector is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive culture that reflects its values.

The Vector Institute welcomes applications from all qualified candidates, including those who are Indigenous, 2SLGBTQIA+, racialized persons/visible minorities, women, and people with disabilities.

If you require an accommodation at any stage of the recruitment or selection process, please contact [e-mail] . The Vector Institute team will be happy to work with you to ensure your experience is as inclusive and accessible as possible .

If you have any questions, please contact [e-mail].

Please note that all interviews are currently being held remotely.