Enterprise Cloud Architect

Spektrum have a wide range of exciting opportunities in several global locations.

We are always looking to add great new talent to our team and look forward to hearing from you.

Spektrum supports apex purchasers (NATO UN EU and National Government and Defence) and their Tier 1 supplier ecosystem with a wide range of specialist services. We provide our clients with professional services specialised aerospace and defence sales delivery and operational subject matter expertise. We are looking for personnel to join our team and support key client projects.

Who we are supporting

The NATO Communication and Information Agency (NCIA) is responsible for providing secure and effective communications and information technology (IT) services to NATOs member countries and its partners. The agency was established in 2012 and is headquartered in Brussels Belgium.

The NCIA provides a wide range of services including:

• Cyber Security: The NCIA provides advanced cybersecurity solutions to protect NATOs communication networks and information systems against cyber threats.
• Command and Control Systems: The NCIA develops and maintains the systems used by NATOs military commanders to plan and execute operations.
• Satellite Communications: The NCIA provides satellite communications services to enable secure and reliable communications between NATO forces.
• Electronic Warfare: The NCIA provides electronic warfare services to support NATOs mission to detect deny and defeat threats to its communication networks.
• Information Management: The NCIA manages NATOs information technology infrastructure including its databases applications and servers.

Overall the NCIA plays a critical role in ensuring the security and effectiveness of NATOs communication and information technology capabilities.

The program

Assistance and Advisory Service (AAS)

The NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCI Agency) is NATOs principal C3 capability deliverer and CIS service provider. It provides maintains and defends the NATO enterprise-wide information technology infrastructure to enable Allies to consult together under Article IV and when required stand together in the face of attack under Article V.

To provide these critical services in the modern evolving dynamic environment the NCI Agency needs to build and maintain high performance-engaged workforce. The NCI Agency workforce strategically consists of three major categorises: NATO International Civilians (NIC)s Military (Mil) and Interim Workforce Consultants (IWC)s. The IWCs are a critical part of the overall NCI Agency workforce and make up approximately 15 percent of the total workforce.

Role ID CDT-0004

Role Background

The NATO Cyber and Digital Transformation (CDT) Division led by the Assistant Secretary General (ASG) ensures ICT coherence across NATOs 50 civil and military bodies serving over 25000 users. Reporting to the Secretary General the ASG oversees enterprise directives and advises on IT acquisition and services. The ASG has designated 2026 as the Year of the Cloud emphasizing adoption and acceleration to modernize NATOs ICT maintain strategic advantage and advance multi-domain operations. This initiative is core to optimizing operational effects ensuring C2 superiority and driving transformation. Cloud technology is vital for enhancing operational efficiency reinforcing security fostering rapid innovation and enabling interoperability. By leveraging Cloud and AI NATO and Allies seek to strengthen warfighting capabilities support data-driven decision-making and align with strategic objectives. To achieve this CDT seeks expert support to design validate and oversee the technical implementation of key Cloud adoption initiatives at both Enterprise and Alliance level. The main purpose of this role is to facilitate acceleration and coherence of cloud adoption at NATO. The candidate will act as a Cloud Architect and Subject Matter Expert (SME) providing the technical vision necessary to ensure cloud adoption at NATO aligns with overarching strategic goals and policy. They will bridge the gap between strategy business requirements and technical execution.

Role Duties and Responsibilities

The Cloud Architect will drive the success of NATOs cloud acceleration initiatives by delivering cloud expertise and coordinating cloud adoption across NATO to ensure acceleration and coherence.

Task 1: NATO Enterprise Cloud Implementation Strategy

You will be responsible for coordinating the NATO Enterprise Cloud Implementation Strategy to ensure alignment with the organizations broader strategic objectives.

• Maintain the NATO Enterprise Cloud Implementation Strategy: Oversee and regularly update the strategy to ensure it remains aligned with organizational goals emerging technologies and evolving requirements.
• Facilitate Coherent Implementation: Monitor and coordinate the execution of the Cloud Implementation Strategy with a key focus on supporting major cloud adoption programs such as the Protected Business Network (PBN) and Operational Network Extension (ON-X).
• Assess and Evaluate Architectural Decisions: Continuously review and analyse architectural decisions and their implications for the organizations strategic goals.
• Provide Strategic Guidance: Offer expert recommendations on scoping prioritization and timelines for cloud adoption programs ensuring well-informed decision-making and effective execution.

Task 2: Acceleration and derisking activities

You will provide advanced technical expertise to support the planning and execution of activities designed to accelerate cloud adoption and mitigate risks associated with major programs.

• Lead Pilot Projects: Lead small-scale pilot initiatives that provide critical insights inform strategic decision-making and minimize risks for larger cloud adoption efforts.
• Collaborate with Teams: Coordinate and oversee both internal teams and external industry service providers to ensure successful project delivery and seamless execution of activities.
• Align Stakeholder Objectives: Engage with relevant stakeholders to ensure alignment on objectives and establish streamlined approaches to execution fostering consensus and clarity throughout the process.

Task 3: Stakeholder Management

The contractor will serve as the primary liaison between the CDT team and various stakeholders involved in the capability development and implementation of cloud adoption strategies.

• Manage Stakeholder Engagements: Coordinate and manage interactions with key stakeholdersincluding program teams security accreditation bodies business owners and service providersto guarantee success in cloud adoption endeavours.
• Facilitate Problem-Solving Workshops: Organize and lead in-depth workshops with stakeholders to address complex technical and programmatic challenges devising actionable solutions to drive cloud adoption forward.
• Represent CDT Across Forums: Act as the designated representative of the CDT Capability Coherence section in both technical boards and committees to advocate and support cloud adoption objectives.
• Deliver Strategic Briefings: Develop and deliver clear insightful briefings on technical and strategic matters to a diverse range of stakeholders ensuring understanding and alignment of goals.

Essential Skills Experience and Certifications

• Demonstrated relevant experience (5 years) in designing and implementing Enterprise-scale Cloud architectures (IaaS PaaS SaaS) within large complex organisations or similar to NATO (supranational international).
• Demonstrated experience (3 years) in large-scale migration of on-premise to cloud in an Enterprise context.
• Demonstrated experience (3 years) in stakeholder management and coordination of technical decision-making (e.g. architecture boards).
• Strong communication skills in English with the ability to develop (in written-form) and present complex concepts in a clear and succinct manner.

Desirable Skills Experience and Certifications

• Demonstrated experience in on-premise datacenter operations and/or implementing air-gapped/on-premise cloud computing capabilities.
• Holds certifications from recognized industry players in cloud (e.g. Microsoft AWS Google Oracle).
• Strong understanding of Enterprise Architecture frameworks (e.g. TOGAF) IT governance (e.g. COBIT) and service management (ITIL).
• Demonstrated ability to navigate complex multi-national environments (e.g. NATO EU or National Defense).
• Demonstrated experience in the design and deployment of Zero Trust Architectures (ZTA).

Working Location

• Brussels Belgium

Working Policy

• Hybrid (80% of time on-site 20% of time off-site)

Travel

• Some travel to other NATO sites may be required

Security Clearance

• Valid National or NATO Secret personal security clearance

We never know what new opportunities might be just over the horizon. If this opportunity isnt for you please feel free to send us your resume anyway and be the first to know if something suitable for your skills and experience comes up.