Director Readiness and Operations

1.    SUMMARY
The Cyber and Digital Transformation Division (CDT) is the principal institutional engine to advance the Alliance's agenda on cyber defence, digital transformation, and hybrid resilience. The Division is led by an Assistant Secretary General (ASG), supported by a civilian Deputy ASG and a military Deputy ASG (Flag or General Officer), ensuring a joint leadership model. As integrated civilian-military organisation, the Division combines the strategic insight of the International Staff (IS) with the operational expertise of the International Military Staff (IMS), enabling coherent, credible, and actionable advice to NATO's senior decision-making bodies. In its role as the NATO Chief Information Officer (CIO) function it brings Information and Communications Technology (ICT) coherence across NATO Enterprise's civil and military bodies. The ASG/CDT as NATO CIO is empowered to implement the Allies' vision for the NATO Enterprise, is accountable to the Secretary General and is responsible for the development of Enterprise directives and advice on the acquisition and use of information technologies and services. 
The Directorate Readiness and Operations ensures that NATO's digital and cyber capabilities are operationally viable, exercised, and maintained at readiness. It plays a pivotal role in translating developed capabilities into operational outputs and enduring services, supporting real-time cyber defence efforts, digital situational awareness, and service assurance across NATO missions. It leads on training, exercises, operational preparedness, and serves as the primary link with the NATO Integrated Cyber Defence Centre (NICC). Feeding back experiences and lessons identified from operations into strategy, policy, plans, capability development, and readiness, the directorate enables continuous improvement and reinforces NATO's resilience and responsiveness in the information and cyber domains.

The Director, Readiness and Operations provides advise to CDT leadership in cyber and digital matters and directs the execution of operational functions as well as coordinating the NICC and developing and implementing relevant policies and plans. The Director  ensures that new digital capabilities are fully integrated into operations, reliably sustained, and aligned with mission requirements. The incumbent also oversees the development of operational guidance, training, and exercises to maintain readiness across the Alliance and deputises for the DASG, as instructed.

Key challenges the successful candidate will confront in the next three years include:
1.    Following the establishment of the NATO Integrated Cyber Defence Centre (NICC) which marked a significant milestone in adopting an integrated civil-military approach to cyber incident response efforts as well as the planning and conduct of Defensive Cyberspace Operations, ensuring that future milestones are kept and the implementation remains a key focus area. 
2.    As the cyber domain contribution to multi-domain operations (MDO) is of key importance, supporting the further operationalization of the cyber domain to ensure adequate execution of MDO and hence its contribution to deterrence and defence. 
3.    Ensuring that your team contributes to the ability to synchronize Enterprise and Alliance Operations and Missions network protection efforts, which is a key issue in the mid-to long run.

In addition to completing the application form, including the pre-screening questions, candidates will be asked to summarise their views on the key challenges (and possible other) challenges, and how they would address them if selected for the position. This essay will be evaluated as part of the assessments (see full instructions on how to apply at the end of the vacancy notice).

2.    QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE 
ESSENTIAL
The incumbent must:

•    possess a university degree, or an equivalent level of qualification, in information and communications technology or in a cyber-security or STEM related discipline; 
•    have 15 years' relevant and progressively responsible experience, out of which at least 8 years in cybersecurity functions, leading large, within sizeable governmental organisations or industry; 
•    have at least 5 years experience in leading, guiding, and developing a diverse team of cybersecurity and information technology professionals (both managers and experts) in a large, multicultural organisation; 
•    have substantial experience managing programmes or initiatives involving multiple stakeholders and organisational change; 
•    have strong skills in  building consensus, influencing senior stakeholders and navigating complex environments; 
•    have experience overseeing cybersecurity operations, including incident response, cybersecurity threats and risk management;
•    be conversant and have an up-to-date knowledge of current cyber threat vectors, dedicated protective measures and market leading technologies;
•    possess the following minimum levels of NATO's official languages (English/French)\: V ("Advanced") in one; I ("Beginner") in the other.

DESIRABLE

The following would be considered an advantage:

•    a graduate degree (Masters or Ph.D.) in a field relevant for this position;
•    previous experience in senior cybersecurity management positions (eg CISO);
•    proven experience in developing and implementing security controls and monitoring information security operations; 
•    deep understanding of current and emerging digital and cybersecurity technologies and how enterprises are employing them to protect digital business;
•    certifications relevant for the job in the field of cybersecurity (CISSP, CISM, CCSP, etc.), programme/project management (PMP or PRINCE2, etc.), and information technology (ITIL, COBIT, CGEIT, etc.).

3.    MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES
Vision and Direction
Support the management team of CDT in developing strategic goals and objectives in the area of digital transformation and cyber, aligned with NATO's goals and objectives.  Engage with all stakeholders to enhance the coordinated execution of the Alliance's Digital Transformation Implementation Strategy (DTIS), specifically for operational cyber defence and cyber security elements. Provide advice on what emerging digital technology, such as quantum, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Next Generation Networks, as well as cyber trends are, and how they can be integrated within the NATO context.

Policy Development 
Contribute to the overall strategy development by developing operational procedures and improving digital transformation objectives and cyber defence and security posture. Lead the implementation of policies and plans on service assurance and coherence, CIS accreditation, spectrum management, employment of NATO Cyber Rapid Reaction Teams.

Expertise Development 
Provide senior guidance and recommendations on both digital readiness/defence and cyber security capabilities. Deliver a significant change for the Alliance and drive cybersecurity improvements across 41 separate NATO civil and military bodies. Contribute to the assessment of external cybersecurity opportunities and threats, and advice on NATO Enterprise cybersecurity capabilities and services required. Advise on cyber defence operations (DCO), cybersecurity, CIS accreditation, incident management, service assurance, spectrum management and specific digital interoperability issues.

Stakeholder Management 
Promote and encourage cooperation and collaboration among all stakeholders (enterprise and Allies), ensuring coherence, integration and alignment with overall NATO goals and objectives in areas related to digital transformation, cyber defence and cyber security for the enterprise. Work with both military and civilian stakeholders, across a diverse set of capabilities in a challenging and dynamic environment. Engage and consult with governance and management authorities on requirements, capital investments, operation, maintenance and disposal of the NATO Enterprise's cybersecurity capabilities and services. Develop and maintain close relationship with the NATO Communications and Information Agency, in particular with the NATO Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), as well as the military command structure, and other relevant senior policy committees and boards.

Representation of the Organization 
Represent and communicate cyber and digital transformation objectives and goals, within NATO, as well and with industry and academia, at public events on behalf of the division and NATO HQ, as instructed.

Organisational Efficiencies 
Identify and enable cost-effective and innovative shared-solutions across the NATO Enterprise to address relevant cybersecurity functions. Improve NATO's digital and cybersecurity posture across the whole NATO Enterprise through the uplift of fundamental cybersecurity and digital functions. Address fundamental cybersecurity functions from an Enterprise perspective, measuring and monitoring performance, and adapting to new technological challenges to improve the organisation's resilience. Drive the development of shared solutions and ensure compliance to enterprise technology standards, governance processes and performance metrics. 
 

Project Management
Provide Enterprise oversight on cybersecurity issues, and work towards the continual improvement of the NATO Enterprise cyber security and cyber defence posture. Co-lead cyber defence operations (DCO), incident management or spectrum management and serve as Enterprise coordinator for the NICC.

Planning and Execution 
Assist the ASG/CDT in exercising their Cybersecurity Single Point of Authority role and respond with agility to changing NATO priorities and to changes in the cybersecurity landscape. Provide strategic direction and oversight for the design, development, and operation of the NATO Enterprise cybersecurity architecture.

People Management
Manage the directorate by cultivating a motivating, inclusive and effective workplace. Provide mentoring, coaching and training opportunities and be available to offer guidance at critical moments. Promote transparency in decision-making, equal access to opportunities for all staff and an inclusive management culture. Identify possible development and mobility opportunities for individuals.

Financial Management 
Plan, supervise and ensure financial accountability of the annual budgets dedicated to the portfolio of digital readiness and associated cybersecurity activities.

Knowledge Management
Support the development of knowledge management systems, dashboards and other processes related further to digital maturity and cybersecurity. Oversee the development and dissemination of operational tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs). Supervise education, training, and exercises to ensure Alliance and NATO Enterprise readiness.

Perform any other related duty as assigned.

4.    INTERRELATIONSHIPS 
The incumbent reports to the DASG for Capability Development, Readiness and Operations and through him/her to the ASG/CDT as CIO.  The incumbent has delegated authority from the NATO CIO and regularly works with the Office of the Secretary General  on cybersecurity matters. The incumbent works closely with Allied Command Operations and Allied Command Transformation for cybersecurity and digital matters and is required to operate and engage with senior government and military personnel in NATO and partner nations, NATO civil and military bodies, and in non-NATO entities. The incumbent also liaises with leadership in relevant international organisations, industry and academia, as required.

Direct reports\: 8
Indirect reports\: 40

5.    COMPETENCIES
The incumbent must demonstrate:

•    Achievement\: Sets and works to meet challenging goals; 
•    Change Leadership\: Champions change;
•    Conceptual Thinking\: Creates new concepts;
•    Developing Others\: Provides in-depth mentoring, coaching and training;
•    Impact and Influence\: Uses complex influence strategies; 
•    Initiative\: Plans and acts for the long-term;
•    Leadership\: Communicates a compelling vision;
•    Organizational Awareness\: Understands underlying issues; 
•    Self-Control\: Stays composed and positive even under extreme pressure.
 

7. USEFUL INFORMATION REGARDING APPLICATION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Please note that we can only accept applications from nationals of NATO member countries. Applications must be submitted using e-recruitment system, as applicable:

• For NATO civilian staff members only\: please apply via the internal recruitment portal (link);
• For all other applications\:

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Please note that the competition for this post is provisionally scheduled as follows:
Pre-selection testing\: end of January 2026;
Final selection\: end of February 2026, in Brussels, Belgium.

More information about the recruitment process and conditions of employment, can be found at our website (http\)

Appointment will be subject to receipt of a security clearance (provided by the national Authorities of the selected candidate), approval of the candidate's medical file by the NATO Medical Adviser, verification of your study(ies) and work experience, and the successful completion of the accreditation and notification process by the relevant authorities.

NATO will not accept any phase of the recruitment and selection prepared, in whole or in part, by means of generative artificial-intelligence (AI) tools, including and without limitation to chatbots, such as Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer (Chat GPT), or other language generating tools. NATO reserves the right to screen applications to identify the use of such tools. All applications prepared, in whole or in part, by means of such generative or creative AI applications may be rejected without further consideration at NATO's sole discretion, and NATO reserves the right to take further steps in such cases as appropriate.

8. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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