Assistant Director, Research & Policy

Hiring range from $107,527 to $118,000; with the ability to progress to a maximum of $154,571

Universities Canada (UC) is the voice of Canadian universities, at home and abroad. We are a membership organization providing university presidents with a unified voice for higher education, research, and innovation. Universities Canada advances the mission of our member institutions to transform lives, strengthen communities, and find solutions to the most pressing challenges facing our world.

Reporting to the Director, Policy and Government Relations, the Assistant Director, Research & Policy leads the research, data, and evidence function that underpins Universities Canada’s policy development and federal advocacy. This role translates strategic priorities into a coordinated research and analysis agenda, ensuring that policy positions, advocacy initiatives, and thought leadership are grounded in credible evidence, sector knowledge, clear insights, and high‑quality analysis.

• Maintain a deep understanding of the Canadian university sector and broader research and innovation landscape, identifying emerging issues, trends and opportunities and translating findings into evidence‑informed policy advice and advocacy recommendations.
• Lead the development of research, data, and analysis that underpin policy papers, submissions, consultations, and advocacy initiatives.
• Translate strategic priorities into coordinated research agendas, work plans, and deliverables.
• Oversee the development of research outputs, including policy briefs, white papers, submissions, and analytical products, ensuring they are evidence‑based, coherent, and advocacy‑ready.
• Own and lead complex, high‑impact research and policy files from end to end, including design, data collection, analysis, synthesis, and delivery of final products.
• Conduct advanced policy research and data analysis on priority issues, applying both quantitative and qualitative methods.
• Design and lead surveys, data collection initiatives, and analytical frameworks to support strategic policy files.
• Synthesize complex research findings into clear, decision‑ready insights, recommendations, and briefing materials for senior leadership and stakeholders.
• Ensure the accuracy, integrity, and strategic use of data in high‑profile and sensitive policy outputs.
• Lead special projects requiring sustained focus, cross‑functional coordination, and methodological oversight.
• Build and manage relationships with external research partners to enhance analytical capacity, credibility, and impact.
• Supervise and support Policy and Research Officers, including setting priorities, managing workflows, and ensuring high standards of quality and accountability.
• Provide direction, coaching, and technical guidance to team members to strengthen analytical rigor and consistency.
• Coordinate research and data inputs across Policy, Government Relations, Communications, and Member Relations teams.
• Align research outputs with advocacy timelines, messaging needs, and stakeholder engagement strategies.
• Represent the research and policy function in internal discussions and external forums, as required.

Education:

• A master’s degree in public policy, political science, public administration, or a related field.

Knowledge and

Experience:

• At least 5 years of progressive experience in policy development, research, or public affairs.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex research and policy projects from design through to final delivery.
• Deep knowledge of Canada’s higher education, research and innovation ecosystem, including university governance, research funding, and public policy issues affecting the sector is an asset.
• Experience managing research programs or functions, including developing work plans and ensuring delivery against priorities.
• Experience supervising staff and leading team workflows.
• Strong understanding of federal policy processes and legislative environments.
• Experience working in collaborative, cross‑functional environments.

Abilities:

• Strong analytical and research skills, with the ability to design and execute rigorous…