Head of Learning Innovation and Digital Transformation

NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA); Oeiras; Sur place; EUR 99 000 - 100 000; Plein temps

Avantages offerts par ce poste

Tax-free salary

Expats allowances

Health insurance

30 days leave

NATO Pension

Training programs

Résumé du poste

NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA) in Portugal’s Oeiras region seeks a Head of Learning Innovation & Digital Transformation to drive strategy and delivery for the NCI Academy. You will oversee a diverse portfolio, champion smart use of technology, and deliver lasting learning impact aligned to NATO’s mission.

The role requires senior leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and a proven track record in education or training innovation, agile management, and cybersecurity-aware

Qualifications

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) with 5+ years post-related experience; or a Bachelor’s with 8+ years.
• Substantial senior leadership experience driving innovation across people, processes and technology.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary innovation projects in a large organization, preferably in education or training.
• Proven experience managing change and fostering creativity and continuous improvement. Strong understanding of agile methodologies, Product Management and Value Management.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for engaging diverse stakeholders and building partnerships.
• Fluency in English, written and spoken.

Responsabilités

• Set the Branch’s innovation strategy, aligned with the Academy’s mission and NCIA Strategic Plan.
• Lead AI adoption across learning design, delivery, assessment and workforce analytics.
• Champion staff-driven innovation, creativity and continuous improvement.
• Transform learning and administrative processes to improve efficiency, quality and value.
• Guide emerging technology adoption with technical partners to ensure cybersecurity and strategic alignment.
• Manage innovation projects from idea to operational adoption, securing funding and delivering measurable results.
• Lead change management, empowering staff to embrace new technologies and new ways of working.
• Build cross-functional and external partnerships, and advise senior leadership on innovation priorities.
• Lead, mentor and develop an inclusive, multidisciplinary team.

Connaissances

Senior leadership

Agile project management

Product Management

Value Management

Stakeholder engagement

Communication

English fluency

Formation

Master’s degree

Bachelor’s degree

Description du poste

Primary Location

Portugal-Oeiras

Schedule

Full-time

Application Deadline

15-Oct-2026, 11:59:00 PM

Salary (Pay Basis)

8,897.47

Grade

NATO Grade G20

Who we are:

For more than 70 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 3000 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 staff.

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

About the job:

Based in Oeiras you will lead the teams, resources, and programs that keep the NCI Academy at the leading edge of learning and capability development. Working alongside fellow Branch and Section Heads, the role drives shared priorities and ensures every initiative advances the NCI Agency Strategic Plan.

The Head of Learning Innovation & Digital Transformatio n (internally advertised as Branch Head Learning Innovation & Digital Transformation) is a strategic leader that translates ambition into execution: someone who can steer a diverse portfolio of innovation projects, champion smart use of technology, and deliver lasting learning and development impact across NATO.

Your responsibilities:

• Set the Branch’s innovation strategy, aligned with the Academy’s mission and the NCIA Strategic Plan.
• Lead artificial intelligence adoption across learning design, delivery, assessment and workforce analytics.
• Champion staff-led innovation, creativity and continuous improvement.
• Transform learning and administrative processes to improve efficiency, quality and value.
• Guide emerging technology adoption, working with technical partners to ensure strategic alignment and cybersecurity compliance.
• Manage innovation projects from idea to operational adoption, securing funding and delivering measurable results.
• Lead change management, empowering staff to embrace new technologies and ways of working.
• Build cross-functional and external partnerships, and advise senior leadership on innovation priorities.
• Lead, mentor and develop an inclusive, multidisciplinary team.

About you:

• A Master’s degree at a nationally recognized/certified University in a related discipline (such as Innovation, Technology, Business Administration) and 5 years post-related experience. Or a Bachelor’s degree with 8 years post related experience.
• Substantial senior leadership experience driving innovation across people, processes and technology.
• A demonstrated record of leading complex, multidisciplinary innovation projects in a large organization, preferably in education or training.
• Proven experience managing change and fostering creativity and continuous improvement.Strong understanding of and demonstrable experience with agile project management methodologies, Product Management and Value Management.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders and build strong partnerships.
• Fluency in English, both written and spoken.

What we offer:

• Genuinely meaningful work as part of the most successful alliance in history;
• 5 year contract with competitive tax-free salary and household and children’s allowances;
• Privileges for expatriate staff including expatriation and education allowances (where appropriate) and additional home leave;
• Excellent private health insurance scheme;
• Generous annual leave of 30 days plus official holidays;
• NATO Pension Scheme;
• Development programs such as professional training, wellbeing, and more

To learn more about NCIA and our work, please visit our website .

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.