Director, Defence Industrial Cooperation & Offset Programs

Thales Avionics, Inc. (AGS); Ottawa; Hybrid; CAD 160,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Thales Canada in Ottawa is seeking a Director, Defence Industrial Cooperation & Offset Programs to lead the strategic direction of Offset and Industrial Participation initiatives, ensuring alignment with the Canadian Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS) and ITB policies. This role oversees complex bids and high‑value projects with national and international stakeholders.

The Director will manage relationships with government and industry, drive bid strategy, deliver annual IRB/ITB reporting, and

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day leadership, guidance, and support to team members to ensure delivery of team objectives and high performance.
• Lead regular team meetings, check-ins, and one-on-ones to align on priorities, track progress, and address concerns.
• Serve as a liaison between leadership and the team, ensuring information flows effectively in both directions.
• Provide strategic input to corporate policy development for Offset, Industrial Cooperation, and ITB matters, ensuring Thales remains at the forefront of national and international best practice.
• Ensure delivery of Annual Industrial Regional Benefits (IRB)/Industrial & Technological Benefits (ITB) Reports for customers, including the Canadian government and international customers, as required by guiding and mentoring the internal Industrial Participation team and in line with the Thales overall organizational strategy;
• Integrate Offset program initiatives with Thales Canada's long‑term vision and Group strategic direction by developing, socializing, and enforcing policies at the national and group‑wide level.
• Interact with the Business Lines and GBUs for internal reporting, engage with the Group Offset Committee, as needed;
• Direct the development of market‑leading ITB/Value Proposition (VP) bids, partnering with Capture Teams to drive innovative and competitive solutions for complex procurements;
• As part of Thales Capture Teams, strategically develop and execute through bid process long‑term strategies with company goals in mind, ensuring alignment with business objectives;
• Engage with senior level internal stakeholders and influence company‑wide policies and advocate for Offsets in Canada across Thales and identify, develop and submit activity eligible for offset credit in Canada;
• Foster and mentor a high‑performing team, cultivating internal talent, building Offset management capabilities, and ensuring knowledge transfer at all levels;
• Maintain offset records and generate meaningful internal reporting including reporting that measures execution success;
• Lead high‑stakes Offset contracts and subcontracts negotiation, serving as the ultimate decision‑maker in terms and conditions to safeguard Thales' interests and maximize value;
• Provide a point of contact for external stakeholders, including customers, subcontractors, suppliers and government representatives;
• Monitor, evaluate and provide hands‑on assistance supporting long‑term strategic areas of ITB/IRBs, and as well as, supporting daily offset operations;
• Identify potential risks,

Job description

Location: Ottawa, Canada

In fast changing markets, customers worldwide rely on Thales. Thales is a business where brilliant people from all over the world come together to share ideas and inspire each other. In aerospace, transportation, defence, security and space, our architects design innovative solutions that make our tomorrow's possible.

This role is Hybrid Ottawa

Director, Defence Industrial Cooperation & Offset Programs

Position Summary

The Director, Defence Industrial Cooperation & Offset Programs is a leadership role responsible for driving the strategic direction of Thales Canada's Offset and Industrial Participation program, ensuring alignment with the company's overarching business objectives. This role is also integral to ensuring Thales is putting the Canadian Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS) into action through active projects and planning for future pursuits. As a senior authority for Industrial Cooperation and Offsets (ICO) in Canada, this role is accountable for the end-to-end leadership of all Offset commitments and customer/governmental relationships within this domain but with specific focus on SIX and LAS. The Director partners directly with Business Lines (BLs), Global Business Units and leadership, influencing policy formation and ensuring world-class compliance and performance across all ICO initiatives.

This role leads the development and execution of complex and high-value bid-specific solutions, orchestrates long-term partnerships with industry, and ensures that all Obligations maximize economic and technological advantages for stakeholders, in line with Canada's ITB Policy and Defence Industrial Strategy. Accountability extends to stakeholder engagement, high-level contract negotiation, shaping bid captures, and ensuring the successful delivery of major programs and annual operating reports to Canadian and international Offset Authorities. The Director, Offset Management will be expected to manage a portfolio of programs and bids simultaneously, delivering expert analysis, recommendations, and executive-level reporting under demanding timelines.

Regulatory Compliance Requirement

This position requires direct or indirect access to hardware, software or technical information controlled under the Canadian Export Control List and/or the US the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). All applicants must be eligible or able to obtain authorization for such access.

Key Areas of Responsibility

• Provide day-to-day leadership, guidance, and support to team members to ensure delivery of team objectives and high performance;
• Lead regular team meetings, check-ins, and one-on-ones to align on priorities, track progress, and address concerns;
• Serve as a liaison between leadership and the team, ensuring information flows effectively in both directions;
• Provide strategic input to corporate policy development for Offset, Industrial Cooperation, and ITB matters, ensuring Thales remains at the forefront of national and international best practice;
• Ensure delivery of Annual Industrial Regional Benefits (IRB)/Industrial & Technological Benefits (ITB) Reports for customers, including the Canadian government and international customers, as required by guiding and mentoring the internal Industrial Participation team and in line with the Thales overall organizational strategy;
• Integrate Offset program initiatives with Thales Canada's long‑term vision and Group strategic direction by developing, socializing, and enforcing policies at the national and group‑wide level.
• Interact with the Business Lines and GBUs for internal reporting, engage with the Group Offset Committee, as needed;
• Direct the development of market‑leading ITB/Value Proposition (VP) bids, partnering with Capture Teams to drive innovative and competitive solutions for complex procurements;
• As part of Thales Capture Teams, strategically develop and execute through bid process long‑term strategies with company goals in mind, ensuring alignment with business objectives;
• Engage with senior level internal stakeholders and influence company‑wide policies and advocate for Offsets in Canada across Thales and identify, develop and submit activity eligible for offset credit in Canada;
• Foster and mentor a high‑performing team, cultivating internal talent, building Offset management capabilities, and ensuring knowledge transfer at all levels;
• Maintain offset records and generate meaningful internal reporting including reporting that measures execution success;
• Lead high‑stakes Offset contracts and subcontracts negotiation, serving as the ultimate decision‑maker in terms and conditions to safeguard Thales' interests and maximize value;
• Provide a point of contact for external stakeholders, including customers, subcontractors, suppliers and government representatives;
• Monitor, evaluate and provide hands‑on assistance supporting long‑term strategic areas of ITB/IRBs, and as well as, supporting daily offset operations;
• Identify potential risks,