Who We Are
The NCIA exists for one reason: to ensure the Alliance can communicate securely and reliably, whether in critical political consultations or during complex military operations. We are a key enabler of NATO’s core mission to keep one billion people safe.
Our technology and cyber experts power NATO’s digital capabilities. From data-driven decision making and secure networks to resilient operations and mission execution across land, air, sea, cyber and space domains.
Our people make this mission possible. Join a team of 3500 civilian and military staff across 30 locations throughout Europe, North America and Asia.
The Role Impact
As Chief Capability Delivery Officer, you will play a critical role in ensuring that NATO’s capabilities are delivered reliably, efficiently, and at pace.
This is a pivotal execution-focused leadership role at the heart of the NCIA’s delivery engine. Acting as the “factory” for capability delivery, you will ensure that programs and projects are delivered on time, on budget, and to agreed requirements, consistently meeting the expectations of customers and governance bodies.
You will lead end-to-end delivery - from program mobilization through build, test, accreditation, and transition into service - ensuring that capabilities are fit for purpose and ready for operational use.
As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, you will drive a culture of accountability, performance, and execution excellence, guaranteeing the NCIA delivers on its commitments in a complex and mission-critical environment.
What You’ll Do
• Embody and role model the NCIA culture principles of Customer First, Together and Impact
• Lead with the customer at the center of every decision, build bridges across organizational pillars and drive delivery with the ownership and pace the mission demands
• Build and lead a cohesive, multicultural and multidisciplinary team, promoting excellence, the highest professional standards and inspiring work environments that enable managers and staff to develop their full potential
• Lead program and project delivery across the NCIA, ensuring predictable, controlled execution aligned to scope, schedule, and budget
• Translate product and capability requirements into clear, executable delivery plans
• Establish and enforce delivery standards, methodologies, and governance frameworks
• Drive end-to-end capability delivery, coordinating across engineering, operations, and program teams
• Oversee supplier performance, ensuring delivery commitments are met with quality and value
• Ensure robust systems engineering practices, maintaining alignment between requirements, design, build, and integration
• Lead testing, validation, assurance, and accreditation, ensuring all deliverables meet quality, security, and compliance standards
• Oversee product maintenance and lifecycle support, ensuring resilience and continuous improvement
• Ensure smooth transition of capabilities into live service, including operational readiness and user adoption
For a full list of duties, please review the job description on the NCIA career site.
Who You Are
• A senior executive leader with 15 years (holding a Master’s degree) or 20 years (holding a Bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in complex technical environments
• Proven experience leading large, multidisciplinary delivery organizations (300 - 1000 staff)
• A strong track record of delivering complex, large-scale programs and portfolios
• Demonstrated ability to define and execute an enterprise delivery strategy aligned to organizational priorities
• Extensive experience managing delivery risk, dependencies, and competing priorities at scale
• Proven success implementing delivery performance frameworks, KPIs, and service transition governance
• Strong understanding of large-scale technology delivery, including:
o Cloud transformation
o Software delivery lifecycle
o Systems integration
• Experience aligning delivery with modern engineering and product practices
• Experience selecting and managing external vendors and suppliers in complex delivery environments
• Proven ability to lead enterprise-wide change in geographically dispersed organizations
• Strong knowledge of program and project management frameworks, including risk and benefits management
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, with experience operating in senior and politically complex environments
• Proven experience in managing large, diverse and multidisciplinary teams successfully employing modern, inspirational leadership practices
If you are a results-driven executive who thrives on delivering complex capabilities at scale and ensuring execution excellence, this is a unique opportunity to shape how NATO delivers mission-critical capabilities now and into the future.
What Do We Offer?
• Genuinely meaningful work as part of the most successful alliance in history
• Initial three year contract with a competitive monthly tax-free salary and household and children’s allowances
• Privileges for staff including expatriation and home leave (where applicable), as well as education allowances
• Excellent private health insurance scheme
• Generous annual leave of 30 days plus official holidays
• Retirement Pension Plan
To learn more about our mission and goals at the NCIA, please visit our website.
The NCIA prides itself on being an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment of mutual respect and value uniqueness and differences in gender, gender identity, race, ethnic or cultural origin, age, religion, sexual orientation and physical or neurocognitive ability.
Additional details on the conditions of application can be found via the NCIA career site.