Senior Advisor (Protection System CONOPS)

Thales is a global technology leader trusted by governments, institutions, and enterprises to tackle their most demanding challenges. From quantum applications and artificial intelligence to cybersecurity and 6G innovation, our solutions empower critical decisions rooted in human intelligence. Operating at the forefront of aerospace and space, cybersecurity and digital identity, we’re driven by a mission to build a future we can all trust.

Thales is seeking an experienced Senior Advisor (Protection System CONOPS) to support the development of its Public Safety & Security business and strengthen engagement with police and relevant government stakeholders from January 2027 onwards.

The role will provide senior-level expertise on policing environments, operational concepts and government priorities, while supporting strategic business development, customer engagement and major sales opportunities.

The role operates through influence and collaboration across a broad stakeholder network, including:

• Thales country and regional senior management
• Police and public-sector organizations
• Sales and business development teams
• Operations, engineering and bid teams
• Finance and other corporate functions
• Government ministries, agencies and administrations
• Industry associations and strategic partners

The successful candidate will bring strong knowledge of police operations and the public-sector environment, together with the ability to engage credibly with senior government, police and industry stakeholders.

Responsibilities

Police and Public Safety Expertise

• Provide strategic insight into policing models, operational concepts, priorities and emerging requirements.
• Support the development of territory and market strategies for Thales Public Safety & Security.
• Contribute to product and solution strategy by providing customer, operational and market perspectives.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen Thales' value proposition and differentiate its solutions in customer engagements and proposals.
• Translate evolving police and public-sector requirements into actionable business and solution insights.

Strategic Business Development and Sales Support

• Advise and support Thales teams in developing commercial strategies for key opportunities, programmes and bids.
• Support senior-level customer engagement and executive contact strategies for strategic sales campaigns.
• Build and maintain relationships with key customer and government stakeholders to support business development.
• Work collaboratively with sales, business development, bid, engineering, operations, finance and senior management teams to strengthen strategic opportunities.
• Provide strategic advice and market perspectives to support customer engagement and decision-making.

Government and Executive Stakeholder Engagement

• Develop and maintain trusted relationships with senior representatives from police organisations, government ministries, public-sector agencies, administrations and relevant industry bodies.
• Engage with senior stakeholders to understand strategic priorities, policy directions, capability requirements and emerging challenges.
• Represent Thales at relevant industry associations, conferences, forums and stakeholder engagements.
• Support initiatives that enhance Thales' visibility, credibility and reputation in the public safety and security sector.

Market Intelligence and Strategic Insights

• Monitor and assess government policies, public-sector priorities, budgets, programmes and capability developments relevant to Thales' business.
• Identify emerging market opportunities, strategic partnerships, investment opportunities and potential areas for business growth.
• Provide insights into competitor strategies, market developments and disruptive initiatives.
• Translate market intelligence into clear perspectives and recommendations for Thales leadership and business teams.

Ethics and Compliance

• Conduct all activities in accordance with the Thales Code of Ethics, Code of Conduct and applicable anti-corruption, compliance and governance requirements.
• Maintain high standards of integrity, professionalism and confidentiality when engaging with customers, government stakeholders and external partners.

Requirements

• Available from January 2027 onwards
• Typically 15 or more years of relevant professional experience, including significant senior leadership, advisory, operational or strategic experience within policing, public safety, government, government-related organizations or relevant private-sector organizations.
• Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related discipline
• Advanced degree (Master's/PhD) is an advantage
• Strong understanding of police operations, policing environments and public safety priorities.
• Demonstrated experience engaging with senior government, police or public-sector stakeholders.
• Experience supporting strategic business development, major programmes, complex bids or customer engagements is highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of government decision-making processes, public-sector priorities and stakeholder environments.
• Strong analytical capability, with the ability to assess complex information and translate it into clear recommendations for senior decision-makers.
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain trusted relationships with senior internal and external stakeholders.
• High level of integrity and sound understanding of business ethics, compliance and anti-corruption principles.

At Thales, we’re committed to fostering a workplace where respect, trust, collaboration, and passion drive everything we do. Here, you’ll feel empowered to bring your best self, thrive in a supportive culture, and love the work you do. Join us, and be part of a team reimagining technology to create solutions that truly make a difference – for a safer, greener, and more inclusive world.