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 s