Lead, Global External Affairs

Who are we

Cohere is the leading security-first enterprise AI company. We build cutting-edge foundation AI models and end-to-end products that are designed to solve real-world business problems.

Were training and deploying frontier models for enterprises who are building AI systems. We believe that our work is instrumental to the widespread adoption of AI and we are looking for folks that want to be part of that.

We obsess over what we build. Each one of us is responsible for contributing to increasing the capabilities of our models and the value they drive for our customers. Cohere is a team of researchers engineers designers and more who are all passionate about their craft.

We are a global technology company co-headquartered in Toronto and San Francisco with key offices in London New York City Montreal Seoul Germany and Paris. Join us!

Why this role

Shaping the future of enterprise AI requires engaging beyond direct legislative advocacy. Leading technology and AI companies understand that long-term policy success relies on building a robust ecosystem of third-party validators thought leaders and strategic alliances.

As the Lead for Global External Affairs you will build and direct this critical function within our Government Affairs and Public Policy (GAPP) team. You will be responsible for defining how Cohere engages with the broader policy ecosystem including think tanks academic institutions civil society organizations and industry coalitions. As the function grows you will also have the opportunity to scale the team around public affairs and policy narratives. Your work will ensure that Coheres narrative around responsible secure and highly effective enterprise AI is validated amplified and understood by the most influential voices shaping global technology policy.

In this role you will:

• Define the Strategy: Build and execute a comprehensive global External Affairs strategy that aligns with and amplifies Coheres broader public policy and commercial objectives.

• Cultivate Strategic Partnerships: Identify build and manage deep relationships with leading technology policy think tanks academic researchers civil society organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

• Drive Third-Party Validation: Partner with external experts and institutions to generate thought leadership research and independent validation of Coheres approach to enterprise AI data privacy and model safety.

• Manage Coalitions & Associations: Serve as Coheres primary representative on key industry coalitions trade associations and multi-stakeholder forums ensuring our unique enterprise perspective shapes broader industry consensus.

• Align Internal Stakeholders: Work seamlessly across the GAPP Corporate Communications Legal and Go-To-Market teams to ensure our external partnerships and investments are driving measurable impact for the business.

• Convene Key Voices: Organize and host high-level roundtables policy briefings and summits that position Cohere as a central convener in the global AI policy debate.
  

You could be a great fit if you have

• External Affairs Leadership: 10 years of experience in external affairs public policy or strategic partnerships ideally within a major technology company leading trade association or prominent policy institution.

• Deep Ecosystem Network: An extensive active network of relationships across major think tanks academic centers and civil society organizations globally.

• Tech & AI Policy Acumen: A sophisticated understanding of the current global debates surrounding artificial intelligence including data governance safety open-source models and enterprise adoption.

• Strategic Investment Mindset: Proven experience managing budgets for sponsorships memberships and grants ensuring ROI and alignment with corporate policy goals.

• Exceptional Communication: The ability to persuasively articulate complex technical and policy narratives to highly influential external audiences.

• Builders Mentality: A self-starter who thrives on establishing a new function from the ground up designing the operational workflows and strategies necessary for scale.

Nice to have (but not required):

• Advanced degree in Public Policy International Relations Law or a related field.

• Experience navigating the specific nuances between consumer AI policy and enterprise/B2B AI policy.

Cohere is committed to fair and transparent pay practices. The salary range listed for this role reflects the expected base compensation. Actual compensation offered will be determined by factors such as location level job-related knowledge skills education and experience.

For candidates in the United States the Compensation Range is : $220000 $330000 USD

For candidates in Canada the Compensation Range is : $250000 $375000 CAD

Full-Time Employees at Cohere enjoy these Perks:

• A weekly lunch stipend of $75/75 or equivalent in your local currency for lunch.

• Full health and dental benefits including a separate budget for mental health.

• RRSP matching 401K Pension Scheme.

• 100% Parental Leave top-up for up to 6 months for either parent.

• Annual enrichment benefits:

  Arts & culture fitness/wellness quality time and a workspace improvement credit.

  Education & learning stipend for conferences courses and coaching.

• 6 weeks of paid vacation (30 working days!)

• Budget for traveling to other offices if you are remote plus an annual company offsite.

How and Where We Work:

• Cohere is remote-friendly. We have offices in Toronto San Francisco New York City London Paris Montreal and more coming soon.

• For those in the office: a daily lunch program plenty of snacks and regular community and social events.

• For those not near an office: a co-working benefit so you can work alongside others in your city.

• Everyone receives a $500 home office stipend to set up your workspace properly.

If any of the above doesnt line up exactly with your experience we still encourage you to apply.

We strive to create an inclusive work environment for all; we welcome applicants from all backgrounds and are committed to providing equal opportunities. Should you require any accommodations during the recruitment process please submit an Accommodations Request Form and we will work together to meet your needs.

We may use AI-enabled tools to screen and assess applicants against the criteria for this position. This helps our recruiters identify potentially qualified candidates but it doesnt limit the applications our recruiters may review or consider.