Director Readiness and Operations

The Cyber and Digital Transformation Division (CDT) is the principal institutional engine to advance the Alliances 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 NATOs senior decision-making its role as the NATO Chief Information Officer (CIO) function it brings Information and Communications Technology (ICT) coherence across NATO Enterprises 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 NATOs 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 NATOs 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:
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).

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 NATOs 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.).

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 NATOs goals and objectives. Engage with all stakeholders to enhance the coordinated execution of the Alliances 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 Enterprises 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 NATOs 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 organisations 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 -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.

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

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.