JOB DESCRIPTION

Who we are

 

For more than 75 years, NATO’s mission has been to preserve peace and security in the Alliance for nearly one billion citizens. The NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA) and its predecessors have worked tirelessly in providing the means that enable the connectedness and togetherness that keep our Alliance strong. We are the NCIA, a team of 3400 civilian and military staff in 29 locations throughout Europe, North America and Asia.

Our technology and cyber experts allow NATO to conduct critical operations, protect NATO’s airspace, make data-driven decisions, defend against cyber-attacks, secure NATO networks and maintain superiority in space. This is all possible because of our greatest force, our people. In order to keep this edge we aim to hire, train and retain the very best talent.

Our staff members represent both the diversity and unity of our Alliance. When you join the NCIA, you will be part of an organisation where you can contribute authentically to the mission and purpose of NATO and help us keep our technological edge.

About the job

 

We are looking for experienced and motivated Principal Project Managers (G20) to join the NCIA campus in in Belgium, including Brussels and Mons.

You will be a strategic leader planning the execution and delivery of complex, high-impact projects that support NATO’s digital transformation and strategic objectives. Working with senior stakeholders and cross-functional teams, you will ensure that projects are delivered on time, within budget and to agreed quality standards in addition you will be responsible for:

· Project Leadership: Oversees the planning, implementation, and completion of complex projects, ensuring delivery on time, within scope and budget, and to defined quality standards.

· Stakeholder Management: Develops and executes comprehensive stakeholder strategies, builds long-term relationships with senior internal and external stakeholders, and acts as the primary point of contact for project-related matters.

· Governance & Assurance: Implements robust project monitoring, change control, risk management, and quality assurance processes. Ensures compliance with Agency procedures and manages project assurance activities.

· Business Risk & Change Management: Identifies, evaluates, and manages risks and change requests, ensuring effective mitigation and communication of impacts to stakeholders.

· Contract & Resource Management: Oversees contractual obligations, monitors performance using KPIs, and manages project resources, budgets, and reporting.

· Continuous Improvement: Drives operational excellence by capturing lessons learned, promoting best practices, and fostering a culture of continual improvement and innovation.

The Principal Project Manager demonstrates leadership in operational management, advises on opportunities for improvement, shares expertise to encourage team development, and proactively contributes to a culture of security, privacy, and ethics. By creatively applying innovative thinking and deputising for higher-grade staff as required, this role is pivotal in delivering value to NATO and its stakeholders, ensuring that projects not only meet their objectives but also support the broader mission of the NCIA.

This is a grouped campaign — a centralised recruitment process designed to identify and build a pool of qualified Principal Project Managers for deployment across multiple NCIA Organisational Elements . Successful candidates will be considered for current and future vacancies based on their experience, skill set and organisational fit.

For a full list of responsibilities, please review the job description here via the NCIA Career site

About you

 

You possess the ability to lead, inspire, and effectively engage a diverse and multidisciplinary team with tact, sound judgment, and adaptability. Additionally, your strong awareness, motivational skills, and attentive listening contribute to your capabilities, which include:

• A

Master’s degree

• from a nationally recognised/certified university in a relevant discipline and at least

five years of post-related experience

• ; or a

Bachelor’s degree

• with

eight years of post-related experience

• .

 

• Demonstrated experience in

project management of acquisition and/or development of complex projects

• within a large organisation.

 

• Strong proficiency in

project management tools

• , cost control, and resource planning.

 

• Experience

leading geographically dispersed teams

• , ideally within an international or multicultural environment.

 

• Proven expertise in

stakeholder management

• and

relationship building

• at senior levels.

A recognised formal project management qualification such as PRINCE2 Practitioner or PMI-PMP.

Desirable:

 

• Previous experience within a defence, government, or multinational environment.

 

Familiarity with NATO structures, governance, and processes.

You will also demonstrate:

• The ability to take initiative and make decisions independently.

 

• Strong organisational and communication skills.

 

The capability to deliver results while fostering collaboration and continuous improvement.

What we offer

• Genuinely meaningful work supporting the most successful Alliance in history.

 

• A

five-year contract

• with a competitive, tax-free monthly salary of 9,253.21 EUR and family allowances.

 

• Expatriation and education allowances (where applicable), plus additional home leave for expatriate staff.

 

• Excellent private health insurance scheme.

30 days of annual leave

• , plus official holidays.

 

• NATO Defined Contribution Pension Scheme.

 

Development programmes including professional training, leadership courses, and wellbeing initiatives.

Additional Information

This recruitment is being conducted as part of a grouped campaign to fill multiple Principal Project Manager (G20) positions across several business areas. Candidates found suitable may be placed on a reserve list, which can be used to fill current vacancies, as well as anticipated requirements in 2026 and beyond.

This post is linked to, and is the same profile and requirements as Principal Project Manager which is located in The Hague, Netherlands (251780)

The NCIA has other locations across Europe, and North America – and selected candidates may be considered for related opportunities depending on organisational needs.

This is an opportunity to join a large, strategic hiring campaign and contribute to critical NATO programmes that underpin the Alliance’s operational effectiveness.

If you are already a staff member within the NATO community seeking a new opportunity at the NCIA, it is strongly advised that you do not wait to see an advert from a particular Organisational Element, as recruitment for all G20 P3M talent will be derived from grouped campaigns.

To learn more about the NCIA and our work, please visit our careers site.

The NCIA prides itself on being an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment of mutual respect and value uniqueness and differences in gender, gender identity, race, ethnic or cultural origin, age, religion, sexual orientation and physical or neurocognitive ability.

Additional details on the conditions of application can be found via the NCIA career site.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements