Government Relations Manager - UK, Nordics and Benelux (R5217)

Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.

What you'll do:

• Develop and execute a government relations strategy for the UK, Nordics, and Benelux aligned with Shield AI’s regional growth priorities.
• Build, maintain, and expand trusted relationships with ministries of defence, procurement organisations, parliamentary and civil service contacts, and relevant export-control or regulatory stakeholders.
• Monitor, analyse, and communicate policy, budget, procurement, industrial, and geopolitical developments that could affect Shield AI’s business, market access, and partnerships across the region.
• Advise senior internal stakeholders on political dynamics, public policy shifts, and defence modernisation priorities relevant to autonomous systems, AI, aviation, and defence innovation.
• Support market-entry and capture efforts by helping shape engagement plans for strategic opportunities, customer meetings, visits, and senior-level briefings.
• Coordinate and contribute to responses for public consultations, policy engagements, trade association initiatives, and thought-leadership opportunities.
• Prepare briefing notes, position papers, stakeholder maps, and executive-ready materials for internal leaders and external meetings.
• Represent Shield AI with policymakers, industry groups, think tanks, and trade associations in support of the company’s reputation and regional policy objectives.
• Partner closely with business development, legal, communications, product, and leadership teams to ensure policy positioning supports commercial goals and responsible deployment of autonomy technologies.
• Help identify and manage risks related to regulation, export controls, procurement frameworks, national security review processes, and broader public-affairs issues.

Required qualifications:

• 8 to 10 years of experience in government relations, public affairs, defence policy, parliamentary affairs, strategic communications, business development, or a closely related field.
• Experience in technology, defence, aerospace, security, or dual-use sectors, or in public-sector roles relevant to defence, security, or industrial policy.
• Strong understanding of UK government and parliamentary processes, especially Whitehall and Westminster decision-making relevant to defence and security.
• Demonstrated experience engaging senior stakeholders across government, industry, and trade associations.
• Strong knowledge of legislative, regulatory, and policy processes, with the ability to convert external developments into clear business recommendations.
• Experience drafting high-quality briefings, policy materials, and executive communications for senior audiences.
• Ability to operate across multiple markets and manage competing priorities in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience working in or with the UK Ministry of Defence, armed forces, Parliament, defence primes, defence technology companies, trade associations, or relevant think tanks.
• Familiarity with procurement environments and defence-industrial ecosystems across one or more Nordic or Benelux markets.
• Understanding of autonomy, AI, uncrewed systems, aerospace, or defence innovation policy.
• Experience supporting campaigns tied to business opportunities, strategic partnerships, or market-shaping initiatives.
• Degree in politics, international relations, public policy, law, business, security studies, or a related field.

What we're looking for:

Our international teammates receive a comprehensive total rewards package aligned to your country office location. For full details on compensation and benefits, please consult your talent acquisition partner.