The Country Manager, Benelux (Belgium, Netherlands, Luxemburg) will be heading Shield AI´s operational execution and growth in these countries. This person will lead and manage an in-country team, with a demanding job, and a very high level of responsibility and accountability to perform and deliver results but will undoubtedly have the opportunity to make an outsized impact and become a major contributor to the company.
He/she will be responsible for building and strengthening Shield AI’s military and political influence including setting and execution of defined capture strategies.
Lead cross-functional integration, serving as the unifying figure across Shield AI´s Business Development, Government Relations, Program Management, Legal, Contracts, and Customer Operations—ensuring seamless coordination.
What you'll do
Build and strengthen Shield AI’s military and political influence in country through sustained engagement with key political and government stakeholders, and industry partners.Ensure operational execution, offset obligations, oversee delivery of current contracts and accountability for key performance metrics, team outputs, and customer satisfaction.Act as the most senior Shield AI representative in country, ensuring compliance with legal, regulatory, and export requirements while embodying Shield AI’s mission, values, and leadership principles.Set and execute the capture strategy for the country, ensuring long-term growth across sales, partnerships, and influence operations.Lead cross-functional integration, serving as the unifying figure across Business Development, Government Relations, Program Management, Legal, Contracts, and Customer Operations—ensuring seamless coordination.Engage with customers regularly to present and discuss Shield AI product portfolioAttend trade shows, exhibitions, or other industry events to espouse Shield AI productsDevise and coordinate marketing and government relations opportunitiesBuild and devise the structure of industry partnershipsPlan and execute product demonstrationsLead proposal responseDevelop offset strategies
Required qualifications
Charismatic leader, with the ability to motivate and inspire others and impart excitement about Shield AI’s mission, technology, and productsWilling to remain in or expatriate to Holland (minimum two-year overall expat assignment)Self-motivated and results-oriented, with demonstrated success in meeting and exceeding critical goals and deadlinesTeam oriented with the ability to communicate with an understanding of nuances associated with being collaborative while also being blunt and forthrightExceptional communicator: strong written, verbal, and presentation skills and the ability to communicate seamlessly at all levels of business and governmentDesire to help build the defining defense technology company of this centuryThorough understanding and knowledge of the military operations and the acquisition process that allows you to maintain strong customer relations>6 Years of relevant military or prior defense industry or other international business experienceStrong international relationships and demonstrated ability to work well across and with various cultures, customs, etc.Strong technical knowledge within the UAV and AI disciplines (or demonstrated desire ability to learn quickly)Technically competent in the myriads of systems that are required to function at the speed of businessBachelor’s Degree or appropriate military education
Preferred qualifications
Proven leadership and/or operational experience within the defense segmentSpecific strategy or business development experience in Europe (focus BENELUX)Prior UAV or AI business development experience in a defense-related contextDemonstrated understanding of specific Army/Navy/etc. operational scenarios and systemsStrong research and analysis skillsRelevant BENELUX Language Skills (e.g., Dutch, French languages)
