Director of Public Affairs & Defense Strategy
About Alta Ares
- Real-time AI ISR module deployable on drones and tactical platforms
- Counter-UAS solution enabling autonomous drone takeover under GNSS-denied environment
- Full-stack MLOps platform for training & deploying military-grade AI models
- Data fusion and trajectory prediction
Position details
- Location: Paris (75017), France
- Reports to: CEO and Executive Board/Comex
- Position objective: Lead Alta Ares' institutional relations strategy with defense ministries, armed forces, and procurement agencies across France, EU, US and NATO. Drive business development on public defense markets. Provide strategic intelligence on military AI adoption, with expertise on Ukraine-Russia conflict dynamics and their implications for Western defense doctrine and transatlantic cooperation.
- Contract: CDI (Permanent contract)
Role & Mission
Strategic Defense Relations & Institutional Affairs
- Lead institutional engagement with French Ministry of Armed Forces, DGA, NATO, and European Commission (DG DEFIS, DG CNECT)
- Build C-suite relationships with military decision-makers and defense innovation agencies
- Drive lobbying on AI defense regulations, dual-use policies, and European Defense Industrial Strategy
- Represent Alta Ares at defense forums and parliamentary commissions
- Defense Procurement & Business Development
- Capture major defense programs and lead responses to strategic tenders (DGA, EDF, NATO Innovation Fund)
- Negotiate framework agreements and structure public-private partnerships
Geopolitical Intelligence & Defense Doctrine
- Expert analysis of Ukraine-Russia conflict: battlefield lessons on autonomous systems, C-UAS, and AI-enabled ISR
- Monitor NATO doctrinal shifts and assess operational capability gaps
Produce strategic assessments for executive team and investors
Defense Ecosystem, Events & Team Leadership
- Build partnerships with prime contractors, defense associations (GICAT, GICAN), innovation accelerators, lobbying firms
- Design and execute institutional communication strategy: identify and secure presence at strategic defense events (Eurosatory, DSEI, NATO summits, DGA Innovation Forum), manage speaking opportunities, and coordinate executive visibility
- Manage Public Affairs team and guide Sales/Product on institutional requirements
Candidate profile
Education:
- Minimum 7-10 years of experience in public affairs, government relations, or defense institutional strategy
- Graduate degree in Defense Studies, International Security, Geopolitics, Public Affairs, or equivalent
- Prior roles in strategic consulting firms (public affairs/defense practice), defense/foreign affairs ministries, parliamentary defense committees, defense procurement agencies, or defense industry government relations
Required Skills & Qualities
Deep understanding of European and US Armed Forces organization, military doctrine, procurement processes
Experience with defense tenders, public procurement procedures, and EU/NATO funding mechanisms
Proven experience in government relations, lobbying (Brussels/Paris), and regulatory affairs with European Commission (DG DEFIS, DG CNECT) and parliamentary defense committees
Ability to produce strategic notes, white papers, institutional briefings, and C-level presentations for political and military leadership
Comfortable engaging with military personnel, defense officials, and political decision-makers at highest levels
Design and execute institutional event strategy (Eurosatory, DSEI, NATO summits) and manage executive visibility
Entrepreneurial mindset with ability to operate in fast-paced environment
Bilingual French-English required
Security clearance eligibility: French or dual-EU nationality is a must have
Discretion and operational security
Nice to Have
- Active or former military service (officer rank preferred)
- Existing Secret Défense clearance
- Experience in Ukraine
- Ukrainian language proficiency
- Prior experience in defense tech startup or innovation programs
- Brussels-based experience or registered in EU Transparency Register as lobbyist
- PhD or advanced research in defense studies or conflict analysis
- Published work on military innovation or modern warfare
Skills & Values
European & Technolo-gical sovereignty
Rigor & Audacity
Pragmatic, Field-Oriented Innovation
Resilience in Extreme Conditions
What We Offer
Work alongside AI researchers, defense experts, and operational military advisors
Equity package: Meaningful stock options in high-growth deeptech startup
Competitive compensation/salary commensurate with experience
Autonomy: Direct collaboration with founders, full ownership of institutional strategy
A hybrid and flexible working setup in the heart of Paris, Kyiv and NYC.
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JOB ROLE
