Lead, Global External Affairs

Cohere

Lead Global External Affairs at Cohere, shaping enterprise AI policy engagement and partnerships. Drive strategic communications and collaborate with global stakeholders to amplify impactful narratives.

Posted 7/14/2026full-timeRemote • District of Columbia, Washington • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $220,000 - $330,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in building and executing global external affairs strategies, with a strong focus on public policy and strategic partnerships in the technology sector. Possesses a deep understanding of artificial intelligence debates and the ability to articulate complex narratives to influential audiences.

Highest-signal resume keywords

External Affairs StrategyPublic Policy ExpertiseRelationship ManagementAI Policy UnderstandingBudget Management

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Strategic PartnershipsThought Leadership GenerationOperational Workflow DesignData GovernanceModel Safety

Soft Skills

Persuasive CommunicationSelf-StarterNetworking

Certifications & Qualifications

Advanced Degree in Public PolicyAdvanced Degree in International RelationsAdvanced Degree in Law

Industry Keywords

Technology PolicyCivil Society OrganizationsNon-Governmental OrganizationsTrade AssociationsMulti-Stakeholder Forums

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Build and execute a comprehensive global External Affairs strategy that aligns with and amplifies Cohere’s broader public policy and commercial objectives.
Identify, build, and manage deep relationships with leading technology policy think tanks, academic researchers, civil society organizations, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
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.
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.
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.
Organize and host high-level roundtables, policy briefings, and summits that position Cohere as a central convener in the global AI policy debate.

Requirements

What you’ll need

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.
Advanced degree in Public Policy, International Relations, Law, or a related field (nice to have).
Experience navigating the specific nuances between consumer AI policy and enterprise/B2B AI policy (nice to have).

Benefits

Comp & 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.