Talent and Career

Job Openings

Explore career opportunities at VIGA, an independent early-stage research institute dedicated to bridging conventional diplomacy and modern geo-economics. Join our team to bring multidisciplinary perspectives, respond nimbly to rapid global shifts, and shape innovative dialogues for global foreign policy.

Location: Ottawa, Ontario (Hybrid: Minimum 3 days per week at our downtown Ottawa office; open to fully remote for exceptional candidates residing elsewhere in Canada)

Salary Range: $90,000 - $130,000 CAD per annum.

Position Overview: We are seeking an experienced and intellectually curious Senior Editor to lead the editorial direction of our foreign policy and geo-economics coverage. In this role, you will shape the narrative of our flagship publications, commission analysis from a global network of affiliated experts, and ensure the highest standards of accuracy and clarity in a fast-evolving international landscape.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Develop and manage the editorial calendar for topics including Indo-Pacific strategy, economic statecraft, sanctions regimes, and supply chain resilience.
  • Commission, edit, and publish long-form analysis and policy briefs from a global roster of contributors and institute fellows.
  • Serve as the final quality-control layer for daily and weekly newsletters, ensuring terminological precision and factual integrity.
  • Collaborate with the events team to curate editorial content for roundtables and seminars held in the National Capital Region.
  • Represent the institute at select policy forums and track coverage of Canadian federal policy developments (e.g., Parliamentary committee testimony relevant to international trade).

Qualifications and Experience:

  • Advanced degree (PhD preferred) in International Relations, Economics, Journalism, or a related field.
  • Progressive editorial experience in policy journalism, think tank research, or financial/diplomatic publishing.
  • Demonstrated ability to edit complex, data-driven analysis for a sophisticated, policy-literate audience.
  • Deep familiarity with Canada's foreign policy apparatus and the federal ecosystem in Ottawa is a strong asset.
  • Working proficiency in French (reading comprehension and conversational ability) is considered a valuable asset, particularly for potential collaboration on federal-facing projects. It is not a mandatory requirement for this specific role.

Work Authorization and Legal Notice

Applicants must be legally eligible to work in Canada (Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or holder of a valid open work permit). VIGA does not offer immigration sponsorship or LMIA support for this position.

Employment Equity Statement

VIGA is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace. We encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples (First Nations, Inuit, Métis), members of visible minority groups, persons with disabilities, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. Accommodations are available upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

How to Apply

Please submit a single PDF document containing your CV and a brief editorial writing sample to joinus@vertexiga.com with the subject line: Senior Editor Application - [Your Last Name].

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Location: Ottawa, Ontario

Salary Range: $70,000 - $85,000 CAD per annum.

Position Overview: The Associate Editor will play a vital role in the production cycle of our research outputs. This position combines editorial support, data verification, and operational coordination. It is an ideal opportunity for a meticulous individual with a passion for international affairs and a desire to grow within a policy-focused editorial environment.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Copyedit and fact-check policy briefs, op-eds, and platform posts according to The Canadian Press Stylebook and institutional guidelines.
  • Maintain and update internal geoeconomic databases, tracking various data including tariffs, FDI flows, and trade policy announcements.
  • Assist in the preparation of data visualizations and charts for publication across web and social media channels.

Qualifications and Experience:

  • Bachelor's degree in Political Science, Economics, Journalism, or International Affairs.
  • Relevant experience in publishing, research assistance, or editorial coordination (internships and co-op placements are recognized).
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and an interest in learning data visualization tools (e.g., Flourish, Canva).
  • Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple deadlines in a fast-paced policy environment.
  • Bilingual Requirement (French/English): Working proficiency in French is considered a strong asset for this Ottawa-based role. While the primary language of work is English, the ability to read policy documents in French and communicate with bilingual stakeholders is highly valued.

Work Authorization and Legal Notice

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in Canada without employer sponsorship. Verification of eligibility will be required as a condition of employment.

Diversity and Inclusion

VIGA values diversity in its workforce. We welcome and encourage applications from all qualified individuals, including those from historically underrepresented groups. We are committed to providing an accessible recruitment process; please advise of any accommodation needs when contacted for an interview.

How to Apply

Please submit a single PDF containing your résumé and a cover letter (specifying your earliest availability) to joinus@vertexiga.com. Use the subject line: Associate Editor Application - [Your Last Name].

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Salary Exploration

At VIGA, we believe that attracting and retaining exceptional policy talent requires a commitment to excellence that extends beyond the scope of our research and into the way we support our team.

While specific salary ranges are tailored to the seniority and scope of individual positions—and are always disclosed in full compliance with Ontario pay transparency legislation within our job postings—our overarching philosophy is simple:

We aim to position our total compensation package in the top quartile of comparable Canadian policy institutes and professional services firms.

A Canadian Benefits Package Designed for Real Life

Our total rewards program is designed to exceed the baseline standards set by the Ontario Employment Standards Act and to reflect the specific needs of professionals based in the National Capital Region. This includes a comprehensive suite of benefits that is notably more generous than the Canadian industry average:

  • Retirement Savings Beyond the Norm: We offer a competitive Group RRSP with employer matching. Our matching formula is structured to help you build long-term financial security more quickly than the standard rates offered by many Canadian employers.
  • Health and Wellness Spending: In addition to a comprehensive extended health and dental plan (covering paramedical services, prescription drugs, and vision care), team members receive a Flexible Health Spending/Wellness Account. This allowance—valued at a level well above the typical Canadian corporate offering—can be directed toward mental health support, physiotherapy, or fitness expenses tax-free.
  • Generous Time to Recharge: We recognize that policy work is intellectually demanding. Our vacation and leave policies are structured to provide significantly more paid time off than the statutory minimum, including an annual paid office closure during the winter holiday season and dedicated personal/sick days that exceed provincial requirements.
  • Professional Growth: We invest in your intellectual capital through annual professional development stipends and coverage of key association dues, ensuring our team remains at the forefront of foreign policy and geoeconomic discourse.

We benchmark our salary structures and total rewards against leading Canadian think tanks, federal government classifications (EC/PM equivalents), and boutique economic consultancies. Our goal is to ensure that working at VIGA represents a material step up in total compensation compared to the broader Canadian market, while maintaining the intellectual freedom and impact of a non-partisan research environment.

We are committed to transparency within the bounds of our hiring process. Specific salary ranges are always published in our individual job postings as required by Ontario law.

Want to Learn More?

If you are considering a career with us and would like to understand the specific value of our total rewards package—including health spending account thresholds, RRSP match percentages, or vacation tiering—we invite you to reach out for a confidential discussion prior to applying.

Please contact our Talent team at: joinus@vertexiga.com

We are happy to provide detailed context about how [Institute Name] supports its people beyond the standard Canadian baseline.