What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Director of Strategic Engagement position at SHIELD AI?
About Shield AI:
Shield AI is a venture-backed defence technology company building the world’s best AI pilot and next-generation autonomous aircraft. Founded in 2015, Shield AI’s mission is to protect service members and civilians with intelligent systems. With a recent valuation of approximately $12.7B, Shield AI develops autonomy software, unmanned aircraft systems, and AI-enabled ISR capabilities that actively support defence and security operations worldwide.
Shield AI works side-by-side with military and government customers to solve complex operational challenges in some of the world’s most demanding environments. The company’s products, including V-BAT, X-BAT, Hivemind autonomy software, and advanced mission systems are designed to deliver operational advantage while reducing risk to human operators.
Shield AI believes the greatest victory requires no war.
Job Description:
The Senior Director of Strategic Engagement for Europe & Africa is a senior regional leader responsible for advancing Shield AI’s strategic position across Europe & Africa through high-value external engagement, relationship development, market insight, and business enablement. This role works across the regional business development organization to expand access to senior stakeholders, strengthen Shield AI’s brand, inform regional strategy, and support the pursuit of new business opportunities across the company’s technology portfolio.
This position operates at the intersection of business development, government relations, strategic communications, and executive relationship management. The Senior Director of Strategic Engagement does not own an individual sales quota but is expected to contribute meaningfully to team success through pipeline generation, closed bookings, opportunity shaping, senior-level access, and the quality and frequency of external engagements.
What you'll do:
- Build and sustain trusted relationships with senior defense, government, diplomatic, political, and industry stakeholders across Europe & Africa to increase Shield AI’s strategic access and long-term market position.
- Create opportunities for the regional business development team by opening doors with key decision-makers, facilitating senior introductions, and helping position Shield AI in priority accounts, markets, and partner ecosystems.
- Represent Shield AI at external engagements such as conferences, panels, roundtables, executive meetings, and government or industry forums, strengthening the company’s visibility, credibility, and thought leadership in the region.
- Identify and help shape new business opportunities by surfacing customer priorities, partnership pathways, and regional developments that can influence pipeline creation and long-term growth.
- Advise the Shield AI executive team, fellow business development leaders, and other internal leaders on regional strategy by bringing forward actionable insight on market dynamics, stakeholder sentiment, policy context, and competitive positioning.
- Partner closely with regional business development leaders and cross-functional teams to align external engagement activity with campaign priorities, product positioning, and broader market expansion efforts.
- Help address complex or sensitive customer, partner, and market challenges by applying sound judgment, senior presence, and strategic problem-solving to move critical initiatives forward.
Required qualifications:
- 15 years of experience in government, diplomacy, defense, aerospace, national security, international affairs, or advanced technology business development or strategic engagement roles.
- Demonstrated success working with senior government, military, diplomatic, or industry stakeholders in complex international environments.
- Strong understanding of the defense, security, or public-sector landscape in Europe and/or Africa, including the importance of stakeholder relationships, market access, and institutional decision-making.
- Proven ability to influence outcomes without direct authority through credibility, judgment, communication, and relationship management.
- Excellent executive communication and presentation skills, including the ability to represent an organization effectively in high-profile external settings.
- Experience operating cross-functionally and supporting strategic initiatives across business development, partnerships, product, and leadership teams.
- Willingness and ability to travel frequently across Europe & Africa to support customer, partner, and industry engagement.
Preferred qualifications:
- Experience serving as a public-facing representative for an organization in policy, defense, diplomatic, or international business settings.
- Established network across relevant defense, government, diplomatic, and industrial stakeholders in Europe & Africa.
- Experience supporting international market expansion, strategic partnerships, or regional growth initiatives in defense or dual-use technology sectors.
- Deep familiarity with AI, autonomy, unmanned systems, aerospace, or related defense technology markets.
- Advanced degree in international affairs, public policy, business, engineering, or a related field.
Why join Shield AI:
- Help build the defining defence technology company of this century.
- Work at the forefront of AI, autonomy, and next-generation defence systems.
- Operate in a highly entrepreneurial and mission-driven environment.
- Make a direct impact on international growth and strategic defence partnerships.
- Collaborate with exceptional teams solving some of the world’s most complex operational challenges.
Benefits:
Maternity & Paternity Leave, Health Insurance, 401K Plan