Managing Director DIANA

The Managing Director leads the DIANA Executive, overseeing the development and adoption of dual-use technological solutions for NATO's defence and security challenges. The role involves strategic leadership, organisational management, stakeholder engagement, and financial oversight to advance NATO's innovation agenda.

Responsibilities

• Oversee continued development and improvement of DIANA’s accelerator and challenge programmes to deliver highest standards of excellence.
• Promote sound principles related to financial management of DIANA joint funds and internal control, ensuring adherence to applicable policies.
• Lead and optimise the organisation to deliver on guidance from the Board of Directors, developing Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
• Direct and manage the activities of the DIANA Executive, leading a diverse team across multiple locations and promoting a sound leadership culture.
• Ensure annual and multi-annual planning of DIANA’s activities to deliver a world-class accelerator program across multiple Alliance locations.
• Contribute to, understand and implement policy direction and guidance from the Board of Directors and NATO Headquarters.
• Lead and represent the DIANA Executive towards the Board of Directors, serving as the public face for DIANA and Alliance dual-use innovation.
• Establish and maintain high-quality relationships with stakeholders including Allies, innovators, NATO bodies, and affiliated accelerators and test centres.
• Exhibit leadership, develop human capital, and ensure optimal utilisation of resources to deliver DIANA’s mission.
• Build and lead a cohesive, multicultural and multidisciplinary team, promoting excellence, innovation and the highest professional standards.
• Demonstrate exceptional thought leadership and vision on dual-use innovation for DIANA and NATO, translating it into delivery.

Requirements

• Possess a Master’s degree from an institute of recognized standing, or equivalent level of qualification, in a discipline relevant to the post.
• Have at least 15 years of relevant experience, out of which at least 10 years gained in progressively senior leadership and managerial positions.
• Have experience working in a multilateral environment or an environment with a variety of stakeholders from diverse backgrounds.
• Have the capacity to create and inspire a high-level vision to direct organisational development and change.
• Have extensive people management and organisational leadership experience to motivate and engage diverse multicultural teams in a hybrid working environment.
• Have exceptional interpersonal skills and the capacity to build relationships of trust with Allies, innovators, program managers and stakeholders with diverse profiles.
• Have 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.
• Have a strong understanding of the dual-use tech innovation landscape, including such arenas as risk capital, scientific and technological development, start-up culture and large technology companies.
• Possess the following minimum levels of NATO’s official languages (English/French): VI (“Proficiency”) in one; I (“Beginner”) in the other.
• 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).
• A PhD or equivalent research experience in a field relevant for this position (desirable).
• A higher level of proficiency in NATO’s both official languages (desirable).

Skills

• Organisational Leadership
• People Management
• Strategic Leadership
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Multi-lateral Environment Experience
• Political Environment Knowledge
• Security Challenges Knowledge
• Innovation Management
• Dual-Use Technology Expertise
• Risk Capital Investment
• Programme Management
• Budget Management
• Civil-Military Coordination
• Start-Up Culture Understanding
• Technology Commercialisation
• Organisational Development
• Hybrid Working Environment Management
• Interpersonal Skills
• Vision Creation
• Multicultural Team Leadership

Languages

English, French