Senior Consultant for Defence Programmes | Startup & Innovation Ecosystems

Join Civitta - an international company with 750+ colleagues across 20+ countries. We focus on management consulting, funding, and digital solutions. Originating from Central and Eastern Europe, we also deliver projects across Central Asia, the Middle East, and the United States.

Support governments, universities, corporations, and start-ups in building innovation ecosystems. We help design and implement programs that strengthen R&D, entrepreneurship, and access to funding. If you’re interested in innovation policy and start-up growth, this is where strategy meets execution.

We are partners in multiple projects for the European Commission to bring new innovation to the defence sector and shape the future defence ecosystem. If you would like to have your say in it, then join us as a Defence Expert / Senior Consultant for Defence Programmes.

You will:

• Develop and lead defence vertical programmes across Europe;
• Anticipate needs, constraints, and opportunities within the defence domain, guide the design and implementation of defence hackathons, acceleration and matchmaking program, and similar initiatives;
• Build and maintain a strong network of defence stakeholders, including end users, innovation units, procurement offices, and defence SMEs across the EU and associated states;
• Lead stakeholder outreach, use-case development, and validation of participant solutions within real defence contexts;
• Ensure effective communication of programme objectives and outputs, maintaining alignment with defence priorities;
• Monitor trends, policies, funding opportunities, and emerging technologies in defence and security to inform project strategy and direction;
• Spot and support new development opportunities in the defence vertical.

Requirements:

• Strong understanding of defence ecosystems, including procurement processes, R&D, innovation frameworks, dual-use technologies, and security constraints;
• Proven experience engaging senior defence stakeholders (e.g., primes, military institutions, ministries, and defence agencies);
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate between technical/innovation and defence policy contexts;
• Strategic mindset with the ability to connect technological innovation to defence and policy priorities;
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, diplomacy, adaptability, and problem-solving ability in complex, multi-stakeholder environments;
• Strong project and team management skills;
• Fluency in English; proficiency in additional EU languages may be considered as a plus;
• Willingness to travel across Europe and partner countries.

Benefits:

• Professional Growth – we believe in the rapid career development of our employees, offering performance and salary reviews once or twice a year to ensure you are progressing and rewarded; 
• Flexible Working Hours – manage your workday with flexibility and the option to work from home, while also benefiting from our city-centre office as a convenient, collaborative workspace;
• Culture & Connection – from engaging team bonding activities such as Christmas parties and Summer events to spontaneous celebrations, monthly team breakfast or lunches, we believe in recognizing wins—big or small—and celebrating them together;
• International Offsite Trips – every year, we travel to an exciting destination to spend time together with the entire Civitta team, strengthening connections and creating unforgettable memories;
• Gifts Programme – welcome boxes, birthday surprises and holiday cheer, we make sure your special moments are recognized;
• Continuous Learning – from expert-led standard trainings to personal development budgets, your growth is our priority.