Overview
This role is a strategic leadership position responsible for shaping how data, AI, and operational information drive NATO’s decision-making and mission effectiveness. The Chief Data Officer will act as the authority on data and AI, ensuring information is treated as a critical strategic asset.
Key Responsibilities
- Define and lead the enterprise data strategy, vision, and governance framework.
- Establish and enforce data standards, including ownership, quality, metadata, and lifecycle management.
- Oversee data quality, issue resolution, and continuous improvement processes.
- Define and evolve data architectures supporting enterprise and operational needs.
- Ensure data supports military workflows, situational awareness, and decision-making.
- Lead the design of data platforms, analytics pipelines, and AI-enabled capabilities.
- Drive interoperability standards, enabling secure data sharing.
- Promote reusable, scalable, and modular data architecture patterns.
Required Experience
- 15+ years of relevant experience in complex technical organizations (holding a Master’s degree) or 20+ years of relevant experience (holding a Bachelor’s degree).
- Proven experience leading large, multidisciplinary data organizations (data engineering, analytics, governance, AI).
- A strong track record of defining and executing enterprise data strategies aligned to organizational goals.
- Demonstrated success delivering data transformation programs.
- Experience evolving organizations from data silos to integrated, enterprise-wide ecosystems.
- Deep expertise in data governance frameworks.
- Experience establishing and scaling data operating models.
- Strong understanding of modern data technologies, including cloud-based data platforms, data integration and pipelines, APIs and real-time data processing.
- Experience working in close partnership with CIO and enterprise architecture functions.
- Excellent communication and influencing skills, with experience in senior and politically complex environments.
- Proven experience in managing large, diverse and multidisciplinary teams, successfully employing modern, inspirational leadership practices.
