Overview
The Managing Director leads the DIANA Executive (DX) to accelerate the development and adoption of dual-use technological solutions for defence and security challenges across the Alliance.
Key Responsibilities
- Leads the DX and a Senior Leadership Team.
- Establishes challenge programmes for dual-use innovators.
- Leverages services like Rapid Adoption Service and Trusted Capital Database.
- Oversees corporate planning, annual reviews, and lessons learned.
- Prepares annual budgets for review and approval.
- Proposes high-level objectives based on critical challenges and Alliance priorities.
- Develops and refines DX policies and operating procedures.
- Works with Allied Nations, NATO innovation bodies, governments, private sector, and academia.
- Manages talent attraction, recruitment, development, and performance.
- Oversees DIANA’s operations and people management across multiple locations.
- Contributes to policy direction and guidance from the Board of Directors and NATO Headquarters.
- Represents DIANA and Alliance dual-use innovation publicly.
- Manages relationships with the Board of Directors and Senior Leadership Team.
- Engages with stakeholders including Allies, innovators, accelerators, test centres, NATO Headquarters, and other bodies.
- Develops human capital and ensures optimal resource utilization.
- Builds and leads a cohesive, multicultural, and multidisciplinary team.
- Conceives, develops, and implements innovative proposals.
Required Experience
- At least 15 years of relevant experience.
- At least 10 years gained in progressively senior leadership and managerial positions.
- Experience working in a multilateral environment or an environment with a variety of stakeholders from diverse backgrounds.
- Extensive people management and organisational leadership experience.
- Very good knowledge of the political environment, strategic issues and security challenges facing the Alliance with particular focus on innovation and emerging and disruptive technologies.
- Strong understanding of the dual-use tech innovation landscape, including risk capital, scientific and technological development, start-up culture and large technology companies.
- Experience serving in national armed forces and/or working in a civil-military organisation, including with respect to new or disruptive technologies (desirable).
- Responsibility for overseeing and managing multi-million Euro budgets and / or programmes within an organisation or company (desirable).
- Experience with or conduct of risk capital investment in start-ups, especially in the dual-use technology arena (desirable).
- Corporate experience in the private sector focusing on commercial technologies (desirable).
- Experience as an intrapreneur or entrepreneur, establishing successful new and complex programs, units, or companies (desirable).
Qualifications
- Master’s degree from an institute of recognized standing, or equivalent level of qualification, in a discipline relevant to the post.
- PhD or equivalent research experience in a field relevant for this position (desirable).
