"Director of the McGill Growth Lab and Assistant or Associate Professor"

The Max Bell School of Public Policy at McGill University invites applications for the position of Director of the McGill Growth Lab and Assistant or Associate Professor. This is a leadership position responsible for establishing and directing a new applied policy research centre focused on economic growth in Canada. The position is a unique opportunity to shape a new institution from the ground up, and to contribute to critical economic policy research and debate.

Reporting to the Director of the Max Bell School of Public Policy, and working in close partnership with the Harvard Kennedy School's Growth Lab, the Director of the McGill Growth Lab will build the organizational infrastructure for the McGill Growth Lab, develop and manage a portfolio of research projects with government and foundation partners, and position the Lab as Canada's pre-eminent centre for growth-focused policy analysis.

Terms of Appointment

The position is a full-time, three-year contract academic position. The position is renewable, subject to performance review and funding. Compensation is competitive and will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Organizational Development

The Director will define and execute the strategic vision for the McGill Growth Lab, working with the Max Bell School leadership to establish organizational structures, governance processes, and operational systems. This includes building a team of researchers and analysts, developing internal policies and procedures, and ensuring the Lab operates effectively within McGill's institutional context. The Director will represent the McGill Growth Lab in the governance of the MBSPP and wider University, where appropriate, and contribute to the Max Bell School's broader strategic objectives.

Business Development and Fundraising

The Director will identify, cultivate, and secure funding for McGill Growth Lab projects from government, foundation, and private sector sources. This involves developing a pipeline of potential engagements, preparing proposals and concept notes, negotiating contracts and partnership agreements, and managing relationships with funders throughout project lifecycles. The Director will work closely with McGill University’s research administration and advancement offices to ensure compliance with university policies.

Project Leadership and Client Engagement

The Director will oversee the design and delivery of research projects, serving as the primary point of contact for government counterparts and project sponsors. This includes scoping project parameters, assembling project teams, ensuring quality control on deliverables, and translating research findings into actionable policy recommendations. The Director will maintain productive working relationships with senior policymakers and ensure the Lab's work drives real-world policy impact.

Partnership Management

The Director will manage the McGill Growth Lab's partnership with the Harvard Kennedy School Growth Lab, including coordinating joint research activities, facilitating knowledge transfer, and ensuring productive collaboration across institutions. The Director will also cultivate and sustain relationships with other Growth Co-Labs (LSE, Monterrey, CEU) and relevant Canadian policy organizations.

Strategic Positioning and Communications

The Director will contribute to public debate through op-eds, public speaking, and media engagement, establishing the McGill Growth Lab's reputation in Canadian policy discourse and positioning it as a leading voice on economic growth issues. The Director will also need to develop a launch and brand strategy for the McGill Growth Lab, in collaboration with the Max Bell School’s communications team.

Academic Duties

While this role is primarily outward facing, the Director will also be part of the Max Bell School’s academic staff and will be expected to connect the new Growth Lab to the broader applied research and teaching communities at the School. This means teaching in the School’s academic programs – including its flagship Master of Public Policy program and new programs under development – as well as engaging in the academic life of the School.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

The successful candidate will hold a graduate degree in economics, public policy, or a related field, with at least 8-10 years of progressively responsible experience in applied economic policy work. Demonstrated experience leading complex, multi-stakeholder projects involving government counterparts is essential. The candidate must have a strong track record of fundraising, business development, or partnership cultivation.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills are required, including the ability to translate complex analytical findings for policy audiences. The candidate must be comfortable operating at senior levels of government and possess a network of relationships in Canadian economic policy circles.

Preferred Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have direct experience building or leading an organization or department, demonstrating entrepreneurial capacity and comfort with ambiguity. French language capability, while not an essential qualification, would be an asset for engagement with Quebec government counterparts. Experience working in applied economic policy with Canadian federal or provincial governments, central banks, international economic organizations, or economic policy think tanks is strongly preferred. Familiarity with economic complexity methods, growth diagnostics, or related analytical frameworks is an asset.

Personal Attributes

The successful candidate will be entrepreneurial and self-directed, comfortable building systems and processes from the ground up. They will demonstrate intellectual curiosity about economic growth challenges and a genuine commitment to driving policy impact. Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build trust with diverse stakeholders—academics, policymakers, foundation executives—are essential.

Application Process

The following supporting documents are required:

• Cover letter and curriculum vitae (in pdf format)
• Statement of purpose and/or academic plans if successful in obtaining this position
• Names and contact information of three referees

Please include a personal email address when creating an account in Workday to submit your application. Do not use @mail.mcgill.ca or @mcgill.ca email accounts to apply.

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