Associate Director, Defence & Advanced Technologies

Job title:

Associate Director, Defence & Advanced Technologies

Reporting to SVP, EMEA

Based London, UK (regular travel to San Diego and other US offices)

The Defence Advisory Consultant will lead the strategic direction and commercial growth of TEAM LEWIS’ global Defence and Advanced Technologies practice.

This is a founding leadership role suited to an ambitious, tenacious individual with deep domain knowledge of defence, security, and government ecosystems. They will also possess a strong understanding of how complex organisations build credibility, influence stakeholders, manage defence procurement and communicate strategically.

You will lead by influence, building and directing multi-disciplinary, multi-market client teams, partnering closely with marketing and new business teams to build awareness and demand, and serving as the senior client servicing lead on clients.

While the role is based in the UK, it has global application, with a particular emphasis on supporting work in the United States. You will play a critical role in shaping what our defence offer stands for, how we go to market credibly, and how defence integrates with our wider sector and capability expertise.

By connecting these defence capabilities with existing agency strengths in Energy, Technology, Public Affairs, and Capital Markets, the Defence Advisory Consultant will create a unique go-to-market offer. One that addresses the intersection of national security, technological innovation, geopolitical risk, and investor sentiment.

• Proactively originate and convert new business opportunities by leveraging personal networks, targeted outreach and internal referrals.
• Build and manage a qualified pipeline across defence and sector-adjacent clients (including energy security, cyber resilience, aviation/aerospace, dual-use and advanced technology).
• Lead pitches end-to-end: shaping the narrative, structuring the solution, coordinating internal contributors, and guiding negotiations through to close.
• Partner with global new business teams to define priority targets, develop account plans, and build repeatable routes-to-market (partners, associations, events and referral mechanisms).
• Identify opportunities to expand existing mandates through cross-sell of TEAM LEWIS capabilities, ensuring the offer is practical, outcome-led and easy to buy.

• Serve as the senior relationship owner and strategic advisor for clients won. Provide executive-level counsel and acting as the primary escalation point.
• Lead senior client conversations on reputation, stakeholder engagement, issues management and crisis readiness (as required).
• Set clear direction for delivery teams: defining scope, success measures, governance and decision-making, and ensuring high standards of quality and pace.
• Drive account growth through proactive identification of new needs, development of proposals, and securing renewals and expansions.

• Work in close partnership with marketing to deliver an always-on visibility and demand plan (campaigns, thought leadership, events, speaker opportunities, credentials and partnerships).
• Shape compelling market-facing assets (credentials decks, sector POVs, case studies, executive briefing notes) that build credibility and generate inbound interest.
• Represent TEAM LEWIS externally at relevant industry forums, round tables and trade associations; develop relationships with sector media, analysts and influencers where appropriate.
• Ensure messaging remains credible and nuanced for defence‑adjacent audiences, while clearly communicating measurable commercial outcomes.

• Build and lead high‑performing client teams by pulling in the right client servicing leads and specialists across services and geographies (PR, digital, content, creative, public affairs, analytics and performance).
• Lead by influence (without initial direct reports initially): create clarity on roles and responsibilities, establish operating rhythms, and ensure accountability across contributors.
• Transla…