Ironclad Defense Works

Strategic Thinkers (SALT) – Onsite at NATO ACT Norfolk

Norfolk, VA
Full Time
Experienced
Strategic Thinkers (SALT) – Onsite at NATO ACT Norfolk
Location: HQ Supreme Allied Command Transformation (HQ SACT), Norfolk, VA
Position Type: Full-time, Onsite
Clearance Requirement: Active NATO or National SECRET (or higher) security clearance

Role Overview
Ironclad Defense Works (IDW) is seeking Strategic Thinkers to join NATO’s Strategic Analysis & Long-Term (SALT) Branch at ACT in Norfolk, VA. These unique roles place you at the heart of NATO’s Warfare Development, providing foresight, critical analysis, and innovative perspectives on global security challenges. Working side by side with multinational experts, you will help shape the Alliance’s long-term strategies, policies, and warfighting concepts.

Key Responsibilities
  • Attend and contribute to weekly SALT meetings and working groups.
  • Support the execution of the Long-Term Military Strategic Studies (LTMSS) Programme of Work.
  • Facilitate and prepare workshops, wargames, and strategic foresight events.
  • Provide analysis and recommendations on NATO Warfighting Capstone Concept (NWCC) and Warfare Development Agenda (WDA).
  • Monitor, interpret, and assess political, military, economic, sociocultural, and technological trends.
  • Conduct research and construct forecasts/analytical models to inform decision-making.
  • Produce clear reports and strategic assessments for ACT leadership.
  • Represent NATO at external workshops, conferences, and multinational engagements.
  • Contribute to LTMSS strategy “marketing and branding” within NATO (LCAT 26 focus).
  • Provide deep-dive analysis on major global actors
Required Qualifications
  • University degree in international relations, political science, economics, business/public administration, operations research, or a related discipline.
  • LCAT 25: 7–10 years of strategic policy/analysis experience, with specific expertise in China and Sino-Russian relations.
  • LCAT 26: 3+ years of strategic policy/analysis experience, with focus on Russia and terrorism.
  • Demonstrated experience in corporate, government, or academic environments.
  • Staff experience at operational and/or strategic levels.
  • Understanding of strategic foresight, planning, futures thinking, and digital transformation.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office and collaborative tools.
  • Fluent English (STANAG 6001 proficiency required).
  • Previous NATO or international organization experience strongly preferred
Desired Skills
  • Familiarity with AI, cognitive security, and emerging technologies in global defense.
  • Strong analytical writing and presentation skills.
  • Ability to integrate foresight with practical strategy recommendations.
  • Track record of facilitating multinational workshops and wargames.
Application Instructions
Apply directly through the posted job ad and link.
Candidates may also send a cover letter and NATO-format forward résumé, emphasizing NATO and multinational experience, to:
📧 [email protected]
 
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