Director, Defence Industrial Cooperation & Offset Programs

Location: Ottawa, Canada

In fast changing markets, customers worldwide rely on Thales. Thales is a business where brilliant people from all over the world come together to share ideas and inspire each other. In aerospace, transportation, defence, security and space, our architects design innovative solutions that make our tomorrow's possible.

This role is Hybrid Ottawa

Director, Defence Industrial Cooperation & Offset Programs

Position Summary

The Director, Defence Industrial Cooperation & Offset Programs is a leadership role responsible for driving the strategic direction of Thales Canada’s Offset and Industrial Participation program, ensuring alignment with the company’s overarching business objectives. This role is also integral to ensuring Thales is putting the Canadian Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS) into action through active projects and planning for future pursuits. As a senior authority for Industrial Cooperation and Offsets (ICO) in Canada, this role is accountable for the end-to-end leadership of all Offset commitments and  customer/governmental relationships within this domain but with specific focus on SIX and LAS. The Director partners directly with Business Lines (BLs), Global Business Units and leadership, influencing policy formation and ensuring world-class compliance and performance across all ICO initiatives.

This role leads the development and execution of complex and high-value bid-specific solutions, orchestrates long-term partnerships with industry, and ensures that all Obligations maximize economic and technological advantages for stakeholders, in line with Canada’s ITB Policy and Defence Industrial Strategy. Accountability extends to stakeholder engagement, high-level contract negotiation, shaping bid captures, and ensuring the successful delivery of major programs and annual operating reports to Canadian and international Offset Authorities. The Director, Offset Management will be expected to manage a portfolio of programs and bids simultaneously, delivering expert analysis, recommendations, and executive-level reporting under demanding timelines.

Regulatory Compliance Requirement

This position requires direct or indirect access to hardware, software or technical information controlled under the Canadian Export Control List and/or the US the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). All applicants must be eligible or able to obtain authorization for such access.

Key Areas of Responsibility

- Provide day-to-day leadership, guidance, and support to team members to ensure delivery of team objectives and high performance;

- Lead regular team meetings, check-ins, and one-on-ones to align on priorities, track progress, and address concerns;

- Serve as a liaison between leadership and the team, ensuring information flows effectively in both directions;

- Provide strategic input to corporate policy development for Offset, Industrial Cooperation, and ITB matters, ensuring Thales remains at the forefront of national and international best practice;

- Ensure delivery of Annual Industrial Regional Benefits (IRB)/Industrial & Technological Benefits (ITB) Reports for customers, including the Canadian government and international customers, as required by guiding and mentoring the internal Industrial Participation team and in line with the Thales overall organizational strategy;

- Integrate Offset program initiatives with Thales Canada’s long-term vision and Group strategic direction by developing, socializing, and enforcing policies at the national and group-wide level.

- Interact with the Business Lines and GBUs for internal reporting, engage with the Group Offset Committee, as needed;

- Direct the development of market-leading ITB/Value Proposition (VP) bids, partnering with Capture Teams to drive innovative and competitive solutions for complex procurements;

- As part of Thales Capture Teams, strategically develop and execute through bid process long-term strategies with company goals in mind, ensuring alignment with business objectives;

- Engage with senior level internal stakeholders and influence company-wide policies and advocate for Offsets in Canada across Thales and identify, develop and submit activity eligible for offset credit in Canada;

- Foster and mentor a high-performing team, cultivating internal talent, building Offset management capabilities, and ensuring knowledge transfer at all levels;

- Maintain offset records and generate meaningful internal reporting including reporting that measures execution success;

- Lead high-stakes Offset contracts and subcontracts negotiation, serving as the ultimate decision-maker in terms and conditions to safeguard Thales’ interests and maximize value;

- Provide a point of contact for external stakeholders, including customers, subcontractors, suppliers and government representatives;

- Monitor, evaluate and provide hands-on assistance supporting long-term strategic areas of ITB/IRBs, and as well as, supporting daily offset operations;

- Identify potential risks, diagnose and develop strategies to mitigate them;

- Ensure operational efficiency and strive for excellence – develop and implement internal policies and processes to improve performance and tracking;

- Develop and communicate meaningful reporting to measure execution success;

- Assist in the identification, research and development of policies and procedures that will serve to strengthen the offset initiatives.

Minimum Requirements

- Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Political Science, Law or related field. Professional experience may be considered in lieu of education;

- 10-15 years Offset and/or Procurement/Contracts experience in defence industry with degree;

- Demonstrated experience leading high performing teams in a dynamic environment;

- Demonstrated record of developing and executing large-scale Offset strategies at national or multinational levels;

- Advanced written and verbal communications;

- Aptitude to partner with various stakeholders to obtain buy-in on new processes and procedures to maximize profitability;

- Experience with negotiations;

- Prior experience in a contracts and/or procurement related position is required in the defence sector;

- Have excellent conversation and written use of English.

Preferred Qualifications

·       Knowledge in non-Canadian offset management is considered an asset;
·       Bilingualism is an asset
·       PMP or PRINCE2 – Project/program management
·       CIPS or CSCP – Procurement and supply chain

Special Position Requirements

·       40 hours a week
·       Travel: up to 10%

The reference Total Target Compensation (TTC) market range for this position, inclusive of annual base salary and the variable compensation target, is between Total Target Cash (TTC) $140,000 - $170,000 CAD Annual.
This reflects how companies in a similar industry and geographic region generally pay for similar jobs. This range helps the Company make pay decisions as one data point among many. Where a position falls within this range is also dependent on other factors including – but not limited to – the employee’s career path history, competencies, skills and performance, as well as the company’s annual salary budget, the customer’s program requirements, and the company’s internal equity. Thales may offer additional benefits and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant’s status protected by local, state, or federal law.

We use artificial intelligence–enabled tools as part of our recruitment process to support activities such as candidate discovery, résumé matching, and interview scheduling. These tools may help screen and assess applications and recommend potential matches based on the requirements within the job description.  All hiring decisions, including candidate evaluation, selection, and disposition, are made by human recruiters. Artificial intelligence does not make hiring decisions on our behalf.

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Thales provides an extensive benefits program for all full-time employees working 24 or more hours per week and their eligible dependents, including the following:

• Company paid Extended Health, Dental, HSA, Life, AD&D, Short-term Disability, Cancer Care Program, travel insurance, Employee Assistance Plan and Well-Being program.
• Retirement Savings Plans (RRSP, DCPP, TFSA) with a company contribution and a match to a DCPP, with no vesting period.
• Company paid holidays, vacation days, and paid sick leave.
• Voluntary Life, AD&D, Critical Illness, Long-Term Disability.
• Employee Discounts on home, auto, and gym membership.

Thales is an equal opportunity employer which values diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. Thales is committed to providing accommodations in all parts of the interview process. Applicants selected for an interview who require accommodation are asked to advise accordingly upon the invitation for an interview. We will work with you to meet your needs. All accommodation information provided will be treated as confidential and used only for the purpose of providing an accessible candidate experience.

This position requires direct or indirect access to hardware, software or technical information controlled under the Canadian Export Control List, the Canadian Controlled Goods Program, the Canadian Industrial Security Program, the US International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/or the US Export Administration Regulations (EAR). All applicants must be eligible or able to obtain authorization for such access including eligibility to the Canadian Controlled Goods Program and able to obtain a Canadian Enhanced Reliability security clearance.