Lead, Global External Affairs

Role Description

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. Your work will ensure that Cohere's 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 Cohere’s 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 Cohere’s approach to enterprise AI, data privacy, and model safety.
• Manage Coalitions & Associations: Serve as Cohere's 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.

Qualifications

• 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.
• An extensive, active network of relationships across major think tanks, academic centers, and civil society organizations globally.
• A sophisticated understanding of the current global debates surrounding artificial intelligence, including data governance, safety, open-source models, and enterprise adoption.
• Proven experience managing budgets for sponsorships, memberships, and grants, ensuring ROI and alignment with corporate policy goals.
• The ability to persuasively articulate complex technical and policy narratives to highly influential external audiences.
• A self-starter who thrives on establishing a new function from the ground up, designing the operational workflows and strategies necessary for scale.

Requirements

• Advanced degree in Public Policy, International Relations, Law, or a related field (nice to have but not required).
• Experience navigating the specific nuances between consumer AI policy and enterprise/B2B AI policy (nice to have but not required).

Benefits

• 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.