Head of Marketing and Communications

The post is budgeted from 1 January 2027 and the successful candidate is expected to start employment as soon as possible thereafter.

OF DIANA
NATO DIANA is the Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic a NATO body dedicated to finding and accelerating innovation to provide decisive defence and security effects for the Alliance while fostering deep-tech innovation.
NATO DIANA is comprised of a Board of Directors representing all 32 nations and an operational team referred to as the DIANA Executive (DX). Operating from three offices in Europe and North America the DX leverages a network of military end users world-leading accelerator sites test centres professional mentors and experts and Allied expertise to accelerate the most innovative technologies from across the NATO Alliance.

DIANA is a dynamic agile workplace which strives for innovative thinking diversity and performance excellence across all teams. To achieve our mission DIANA is committed to providing our people with an environment that is positive inclusive and collaborative.

OF THE ROLE
The Head of Marketing and Communications provides strategic leadership for DIANAs communications marketing brand and stakeholder engagement activities enhancing awareness of DIANAs mission programmes and innovators across the Alliance and wider innovation ecosystem. Leading a distributed team across London Halifax and Tallinn the incumbent serves as the principal advisor to senior leadership on communications reputation management and strategic engagement while overseeing campaigns media relations digital communications events and corporate messaging.

* Reserve candidates may be considered for similar posts in Estonia or Canada if appropriate.*

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer (Deputy Director).

Duties of this role include:
Lead and continually refine NATO DIANAs marketing communications branding strategies in support of organisational priorities and objectives.
Lead communications aspects of issues management and reputational risk advising senior leadership on emerging communications challenges and appropriate response strategies.
Lead proactive and reactive media relations strengthening DIANAs visibility and public profile.
Oversee DIANAs digital communications strategy including its website social media channels and digital engagement activities.
Advise senior leadership and DIANA staff on public engagements stakeholder communications branding and strategic messaging.
Oversee the development of strategic narratives storytelling content and multimedia products that communicate DIANAs mission impact and achievements.
Oversee communications marketing and media engagement activities supporting organisational events military exercises and innovator demonstrations.
Proactively identify and advise on engagement strategies with key audiences in support of DIANAs adoption efforts.
Establish and maintain communications branding and editorial standards that ensure a consistent and professional representation of DIANA across all internal and external communications.
Collaborate with HR and the COO on internal communications ensuring staff understand DIANAs mission direction major organisational developments and external messaging priorities.
Lead and develop a distributed team of communications professionals across multiple locations
Oversee external suppliers agencies and creative support where required ensuring value for money quality control and careful stewardship of public funds.
Establish and monitor communications metrics audience insights and campaign performance to assess impact and inform future planning.
Perform any other related duties as may be required.

REQUIREMENTS QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

ESSENTIAL
The incumbent must have:
A Masters degree at a nationally recognised University in Communications Marketing Public Relations Journalism International Relations or a related discipline and 5 years post-related experience OR a Bachelors degree with 8 years post related experience.
A minimum of 5 years of work experience in senior roles with a combination of marketing and communications.
Demonstrated knowledge of defence and military innovation.
Demonstrated experience leading a communications marketing public affairs or stakeholder engagement function including the leadership and development of multidisciplinary teams and the management of external suppliers or agencies within a complex fast-paced high-profile or multinational environment.
Proven experience developing and executing integrated marketing and communications strategies for diverse audiences.
Strong media relations and issues management experience including the ability to advise senior leaders on reputational risk and public messaging.
Experience overseeing digital channels social media websites campaign content multimedia products and/or brand assets;
Experience using measurement analytics or audience insights to assess communications impact and inform future activity;
Excellent written and verbal…