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 Product Strategy Officer, you will play a central role in shaping how NATO’s future digital and operational capabilities are designed, developed, and delivered.
This is a critical executive leadership role at the intersection of technology, strategy, and delivery. You will act as the NCIA’s technical design authority and Product Executive, ensuring that capability decisions are grounded in a coherent enterprise architecture, informed by market and technology insights, and aligned with long-term NATO priorities.
By driving product strategy, portfolio management, and innovation, you will ensure the NCIA invests in the right capabilities, at the right time, in a way that is scalable, secure, and sustainable. As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, you will influence enterprise-wide strategy and help position the NCIA to meet the challenges of an increasingly complex and rapidly evolving security 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
• Define and govern the enterprise capability model, ensuring alignment between strategy, products, and services
• Lead the product and service portfolio, driving strategic direction, performance, and lifecycle management
• Translate technology, market, and customer insights into product strategy and innovation priorities
• Drive portfolio prioritization, investment decisions, and value realization across the NCIA
• Ensure products and services are secure-by-design, scalable, and outcome-focused
• Oversee the development of product initiatives from concept through delivery and operational transition
• Promote continuous improvement through performance data, customer feedback, and operational insights
• Foster a culture of innovation, product excellence, and enterprise-wide collaboration
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 organizations
• Proven experience leading large, multidisciplinary product organizations (100 staff across product, design, and analytics)
• A strong track record of defining and executing enterprise product strategies aligned to organizational goals
• Demonstrated success driving product-led transformation and shifting to modern product operating models
• Expertise in portfolio management, balancing innovation, technical debt, and operational stability
• Deep experience designing and implementing product operating models at scale
• Strong understanding of enterprise governance, prioritization, and funding frameworks
• Experience integrating product strategy with engineering, architecture, and cybersecurity disciplines
• Solid knowledge of modern digital technologies, including:
o Cloud platforms
o Data and analytics ecosystems
o API and platform-based architectures
• Experience working with CIO-level functions on enterprise technology strategy
• Strong understanding of commercial frameworks and procurement processes
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, with experience in senior and political environments
• Proven experience in managing large, diverse and multidisciplinary teams, successfully employing modern, inspirational leadership practices.
If you are a strategic technology and product leader who thrives in complex environments and is passionate about shaping future capabilities at scale, this is a unique opportunity to play a defining role in NATO’s digital 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.