# Government Relations Manager - UK, Nordics and Benelux

**Company:** [Shield AI](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/shield-ai)
**Location:** London, United Kingdom
**Role:** Business Development
**Experience:** 8+ years
**Skills:** Government Relations, Public Affairs, Defence Policy, Parliamentary Affairs, Strategic Communications, Business Development, Policy Analysis, Stakeholder Management, Export Controls, Procurement, Regulatory Affairs, Public Policy, Artificial Intelligence, Autonomous Systems, Aerospace
**Posted:** 2026-06-18

> Leads government relations and public policy strategy across the UK, Nordics, and Benelux, building senior stakeholder relationships and supporting defence-market growth. Requires 8–10 years of relevant experience, strong UK government knowledge, and expertise in defence, technology, or related policy environments.

## Job Description

## Responsibilities
- Develop and execute a government relations strategy for the UK, Nordics, and Benelux aligned with regional growth priorities.
- Build and maintain relationships with ministries of defence, procurement organisations, parliamentary and civil service contacts, export-control and regulatory stakeholders, defence customers, trade bodies, and strategic partners.
- Monitor, analyse, and communicate policy, budget, procurement, industrial, and geopolitical developments affecting business, market access, and partnerships.
- Advise senior stakeholders on political dynamics, public policy shifts, and defence modernisation priorities related to autonomous systems, AI, aviation, and defence innovation.
- Support market-entry and capture efforts, including strategic opportunities, customer meetings, visits, and senior-level briefings.
- Coordinate responses to public consultations, policy engagements, trade association initiatives, and thought-leadership opportunities.
- Prepare briefing notes, position papers, stakeholder maps, and executive-ready materials.
- Represent the company with policymakers, industry groups, think tanks, and trade associations.
- Partner with business development, legal, communications, product, and leadership teams to align policy positioning with commercial goals and responsible deployment of autonomy technologies.
- Identify and manage risks related to regulation, export controls, procurement frameworks, national security review processes, and public-affairs issues.

## Requirements
- 8–10 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, dual-use sectors, or relevant public-sector roles.
- Strong understanding of UK government and parliamentary processes, including Whitehall and Westminster decision-making relevant to defence and security.
- Experience engaging senior stakeholders across government, industry, and trade associations.
- Strong knowledge of legislative, regulatory, and policy processes, with the ability to turn developments into business recommendations.
- Experience drafting briefings, policy materials, and executive communications for senior audiences.
- Ability to operate across multiple markets and manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

## Nice-to-haves
- 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 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.

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