Senior Manager, Government Partnerships

About the role

LawZero, a Montreal-based non-profit advancing research and technical solutions for safe-by-design AI, is expanding internationally and building a coalition of middle-power governments to fund and champion its mission. This role sits at the centre of that effort: designing and executing the middle-powers strategy, shaping the policy agenda, mapping and mobilizing the ecosystems that influence government in each target country, and building toward milestones such as a potential middle-powers summit. Senior government engagement remains largely led by the VP of Global Affairs, but you will join key trips and meetings and own much of the strategy, research and relationship-building behind them.

Key responsibilities

• Build the middle-powers strategy: develop and refine the approach to co-financing and partnership with middle-power governments, identifying priorities, entry points and sequencing across countries.
• Map and mobilize national ecosystems: identify and build relationships with the right actors (e.g., safety, research and corporate communities) in each target country.
• Carry core messages: advance that reliable AI models are a necessary capability for adoption and that sovereign AI models are essential to avoid power concentration.
• Lead middle-powers policy: own policy development, including planning toward a potential summit co-hosted with other stakeholders.
• Shape the narrative in-country: support communications and media efforts, including op-eds and influential voices.
• Support senior engagements: prepare briefing materials, strategy and follow-up for ministerial and official-level meetings, and join select trips and meetings.

Required profile

• At least 6 years of experience in government affairs, diplomacy, think tanks or a closely related field.
• Comfort operating across different political systems and in diplomatic settings, rather than expertise in a single domestic system.
• Ability to work independently and excellent judgment and relationship-building skills in a fast-moving, mission-driven environment.

Required skills

• AI knowledge sufficient to engage credibly with research and safety communities.
• Strong communications instincts, including experience working with communications teams to build a strategic comms plan.
• Nice to have: regional expertise or language skills (particularly French), existing networks in AI policy, safety or research, and experience convening or supporting international summits.

What we offer

• Health benefits, including a mental health and wellness management account.
• 20 days of vacation per year upon start.
• Employer contribution of 4% to retirement savings, with no required employee match.
• Additional compensation of 8% of salary for retirement savings or bonuses, independent of performance.
• A collaborative, inclusive workplace in the Little Italy area of Montreal.