Director of Marketing, Defence
Marketing & Communications · Full-time
Ottawa, ON, Canada · Remote
CAD 120k-160k / year
About Calian
At Calian, we help organizations overcome obstacles, manage risks, and drive progress. Since 1982, we’ve grown from a small consulting firm into a trusted global company across defence, space, health, nuclear energy, public safety, and government.
We create innovative solutions that tackle complex challenges and help organizations and communities stay resilient, informed, and connected. If you’re driven by purpose and energized by solving real-world challenges, we want you on our team.
Position Overview
We are looking for a Director, Defence Marketing to help lead the marketing and communications strategy for Calian’s Defence business across Canada, NATO and allied markets.
Reporting to the Senior VP, Marketing and Corporate Communications, this role is part of the Marketing & Commercialization team and works closely with Defence leadership, Government Relations, Capture, Business Development, Corporate Communications, and Defence subject matter experts.
The Director, Defence Marketing translates Defence business priorities, customer requirements, and Calian’s capabilities into compelling market positioning, differentiated narratives, and integrated campaigns that support growth.
This role requires a strong understanding of the defence market, customer environment, competitive landscape, procurement processes, and emerging technologies. The successful candidate will help position Calian as a relevant, differentiated, and trusted defence partner while bringing together expertise across the organization to support coordinated market engagement and business growth.
Responsibilities
• Develop and execute the marketing and communications strategy for Calian’s Defence business across Canada, NATO and allied markets.
• Support Defence growth and business planning by aligning marketing priorities and investments with customer needs, strategic pursuits, government engagement, and business development objectives.
• Define and evolve market positioning, value propositions, customer narratives, and messaging across Defence capabilities, technologies, and solutions.
• Maintain a strong understanding of defence policy, customer priorities, modernization programs, procurement environments, and emerging opportunities.
• Identify priority markets, customer segments, and key stakeholder audiences across military, government, industry, and partner ecosystems.
• Lead market and competitive intelligence activities and translate insights into actionable growth strategies.
• Develop integrated campaigns supporting priority Defence growth areas, strategic pursuits, technologies, and solutions.
• Partner with Business Development and Capture teams to support priority opportunities through messaging, positioning, customer insights, and market engagement.
• Collaborate closely with Government Relations to ensure coordinated customer communications, industry engagement, and market positioning.
• Build strong relationships with technical, operational, and military subject matter experts and elevate their expertise through campaigns, thought leadership, customer engagement, and events.
• Oversee the development of customer-facing materials that support the full customer journey, from awareness through post-award engagement.
• Develop thought leadership programs that strengthen Calian’s market position and demonstrate expertise in the evolving defence environment.
• Lead marketing strategies for key defence trade shows, conferences, demonstrations, customer engagements, and industry events.
• Support the launch and commercialization of new capabilities, technologies, digital solutions, and strategic partnerships.
• Collaborate with strategic partners and industry ecosystem participants to strengthen Calian’s position in priority markets.
• Develop Defence-specific sales and business development enablement tools and resources.
• Establish measurable objectives and leverage CRM, campaign, and market data to evaluate marketing impact and improve outcomes.
• Lead marketing integration planning and execution activities related to future acquisitions.
• Serve as a senior marketing advisor to Defence leadership and contribute to Defence growth, market planning, and business development forums.
Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business, Communications, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and professional experience.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in marketing, business development, commercialization, strategic communications, or a related discipline.
• Direct professional experience within the defence sector.
• Strong understanding of the Canadian defence environment, including the Department of National Defence, Canadian Armed Forces, defence industry, and government procurement ecosystem.
• Knowledge of NATO and allied defence markets and the broader international defence and security environment.
• Experience marketing complex technologies, services, solutions, or capabilities to government and military customers.
• Understanding of defence business development, capture, and procurement cycles.
• Experience collaborating with Government Relations, Business Development, Capture, Communications, and technical subject matter experts.
• Experience working with senior business leaders, military or defence customers, technical experts, and operational leaders.
• Knowledge of military modernization priorities, emerging technologies, and defence industry trends.
• Experience developing B2B and B2G marketing strategies within complex, long-cycle markets.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with the ability to translate complex technical or operational concepts into compelling market narratives.
• Strong strategic marketing, communications, and business development expertise combined with the ability to operate effectively at strategic, tactical, and operational levels.
• Demonstrated ability to influence, collaborate, and build trust within a matrix organization.
• Strong executive presence and confidence working with leaders, customers, government stakeholders, partners, and industry representatives.
Additional Requirements
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in one or more of the following areas:
• Canadian Armed Forces and Department of National Defence environment.
• NATO, Five Eyes, and allied defence markets.
• Defence procurement and major capability programs.
• Defence industry and industrial partnerships.
• Strong sense of urgency, accountability, and bias toward action.
• Highly collaborative, adaptable, and comfortable delivering outcomes through cross-functional teams.
• Ability to navigate competing priorities and coordinate stakeholders across business, functional, and geographic boundaries.
Compensation
$120,000 to $160,000
Position Type
We have 1 available position
#LI-SL1# #SF#
At Calian, we do not use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to screen or evaluate candidates. AI tools may support backend administrative tasks, but they do not influence hiring decisions. All evaluations and decisions are made by real people on our recruitment team and hiring managers. All applicants are reviewed and only those chosen for an interview will be contacted by our recruiting team.
How we hire
- Our hiring process is designed to help us get to know you and discover if you are the best fit for our team. It's also an opportunity for you to gauge if a role at Calian is the right fit for you.
Throughout the process, we’ll share details of the kind of work you’ll be doing, the projects you’ll be working on, the team you’ll be joining, and what it’s like working at Calian. Our biggest tip throughout the process is to just be your authentic self! - Our commitment to diverse, yet highly specialized solutions require many different skills and abilities. We look for the best talent that can contribute to Calian’s success as well as enhance our culture. We encourage you to apply to a role or join our talent community and sign up for job alerts that match your area of expertise and what you are looking for in your next opportunity.
During the recruiting process, you’re encouraged to notify us of any accommodations you may require. We’ll be happy to help.
- We give the same time and consideration to everyone who applies. Here are a few things you can do to ensure your application shines:
- Do your research on Calian, the department, and team you are looking to join
- Add a cover letter that explains why you are a good fit for this position
- Share a portfolio, personal websites, or links to your professional social media
- In your CV, highlight your key achievements - this is your time to brag
- Include dates! Share the timeline of your experience
- Stand out by tailoring your resume to each position you apply to
- Only apply to roles you’re genuinely interested in and that align to your experience
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- Be prepared! Do your research on Calian, the department, and team you are looking to join
- View the responsibilities for the role and find examples that demonstrate how you’ve completed these in your previous work experience
- Prepare a list of questions to ask us
- Dress business casual for your interview (virtual and in person)
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- We assess your skills and fit, you assess our fit for you
- We keep you updated and share expectations as we make progress in the recruiting cycle
- Feel free to reach out to your Talent Acquisition Specialist at any time during the hiring process
Perks and benefits
- Competitive, company-paid benefits
- Generous time off package
- Stock purchase plan
- RRSP program
- Flexible work hours for eligible roles
- Programs to support employee health and well-being