Program Manager - CBRN Capability Development

Spektrum; Norfolk (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Spektrum supports apex purchasers and defence agencies with professional services, aerospace and defence sales, and operational subject matter expertise. The role is based in Norfolk, VA, and focuses on capability requirements development, project management, and cross-border collaboration with NATO partners.

The candidate will work within the ACT/CDMS framework, supporting the Capability Development Directorate and related projects, with occasional travel.

Qualifications

• 5 years in procurement programs in the defence sector.
• 5 years in project management with successful delivery of capabilities.
• Knowledge of MSP and PRINCE2 certifications.
• Experience in multinational organizations or NATO structures.
• Operational military background, especially CBRN domain.

Responsibilities

• Support elicitation, capture and traceability of capability requirements.
• Support higher and lower level requirements and interoperability needs.
• Assist programme directors and project coordinators in governance and meetings.
• Develop concepts of operation and courses of action for capability development.
• Coordinate DOTMLPFI development and synchronize implementation.
• Organise and participate in workshops, seminars and conferences.
• Collaborate with national and international military and civilian entities.
• Identify lessons and best practices for organizational learning.
• Travel to meetings and conferences up to 30 days per year.
• Perform additional tasks as required by the COTR.

Skills

Procurement programs

Project management

MSP/PRINCE2

Multinational/NATO experience

Military/CBRN background

Education

Master’s degree or 5 years experience

Job description

Spektrum supports apex purchasers (NATO, UN, EU and National Government and Defence) and their Tier 1 supplier ecosystem with a wide range of specialist services. We provide our clients with professional services, specialised aerospace and defence sales, delivery, and operational subject matter expertise. We are looking for personnel to join our team and support key client projects.

Who we are supporting

Allied Command Transformation (ACT) is NATO’s leading agent for change: driving, facilitating, and advocating the continuous improvement of Alliance capabilities to maintain and enhance the military relevance and effectiveness of the Alliance. The main objectives of ACT are: providing appropriate support to NATO missions and operations; leading NATO military transformation; and improving relationships, interaction and practical cooperation with partners, nations and international organisations. ACT therefore leads Alliance concept development, capability development, training and lessons-learned initiatives and provides unfettered military support to policy development within NATO.

The program

Capability Development & Management Support (CDMS)

DCOS Capability Development (CAPDEV) acts as the Supreme Allied Commander Transformation's Director for guidance, direction and coordination of the activities and resources of the Capability Development Directorate.

The Requirements Division will execute all tasks and activities needed to support requirements management for NATO capabilities

The Capability Requirements (CR) Branch will develop the Capability Requirements Brief and recommended courses of action to resolve issues through the life cycle management of requirements using matrixed, cross-functional project-specific Requirements Management teams.

The Requirements Forward Branch (Mons) is responsible for conducting requirements development and management representation and engagement-related functions in Europe.

The Capability Division coordinates the development of capabilities from capability planning through acceptance and then disposal with management entities, NATO Headquarters staff and the NATO Governance Structure

The Capability Forward Branch (Mons) coordinates with ACO, NCIA, NSPA, NATO HQ, territorial Host Nations, and NATO Centres of Excellence (COEs) to support the development of capabilities.

Strategic Plans and Policy (SPP) supports Allied Command Transformation in formalizing military advice to shape future military strategy, political guidance, and other policy documents supporting NATO’s strategic objectives.

Role Duties and Responsibilities

• Support the elicitation, capture, development, analysis, evaluation and traceability of capability requirements.
• Support the elicitation, capture, development, analysis, evaluation and traceability of higher and lower level requirements (such as capability targets, operational requirements, system specifications, interoperability requirements, etc.).
• Support the ACT JE Capability Programme Director and the CBRN FS Project Coordinator in their programme management efforts, including the interaction with CBRN stakeholders at all levels, from strategic to tactical;
• Support the development, analysis and review of concepts of operation, courses of action and alternatives.
• Coordinate DOTMLPFI development and implementation synchronization; support the development of recommended courses of action to resolve issues relating capability development.
• Organise and participate to workshops, seminars, conferences and meetings in support of the activities above.
• Collaborate with national and international military and civilian organizations, including centres of excellence and academia, in support of the activities above.
• Identify lessons and Best Practices and contribute to their learning within the organization.
• Support the ACT JE Capability Programme Director and the CBRN FS Project Coordinator and travel to meetings and conferences both within and outside NATO’s boundaries for up to 30 days per year;
• Perform additional tasks as required by the COTR related to the labor category.

Essential Skills and Experience

• 5 years in the last 10 years of demonstrable experience in procurement programs in the defence sector. In particular, experience in participation to programme/project boards, development of decision support briefings, studies of best procurement alternatives, and risk management;
• 5 years in the last 10 years of demonstrable experience in project management principles and demonstrated success in applying them to deliver capabilities. In particular, experience in initiation and management of programmes and projects, development of exception and routine reports, and management of work breakdown packages;
• Knowledge of project management principles and demonstrated success in applying them to deliver capabilities with certificate in Program and Project Management related certifications such as MSP and PRINCE2.
• Demonstrable experience working in a multinational organization or NATO Command Structure (NCS) / NATO Force Structure (NFS) and familiarity with NATO agencies’ role in system development.
• Background in operational military, especially in the CBRN domain, at tactical and/or joint level.

Education

• Master’s degree or similar national academic or Military College qualification in engineering, information systems, operations research, project management, business administration or related disciplines. Can be substituted with Bachelor Degree and 5 years of experience in relevant field.

Working Location

• (Norfolk, VA, USA)

Working Policy

• Onsite
• Mond-Friday

Travel

• Some travel to other NATO sites may be required

Contract Duration

• September 2026 – Dec 2027

Security Clearance

• Valid National or NATO personal security clearance

Language

• Professional English, demonstrated proficiency in English as defined in STANAG 6001 (Standardized Linguistic Profile (SLP) 3333 - Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing) or equivalent.