Associate Director, Defence & Advanced Technologies in London

Reporting to SVP, EMEA Based London, UK (regular travel to San Diego and other US offices).

About TEAM LEWIS

TEAM LEWIS is a global marketing agency that has grown from start-up to multi‑national in a little over two decades. Its success is due to a combination of factors: talented creatives delivering award winning campaigns; expanding client relationships into new markets or services; its independence from outside investors. The agency, its people and client campaigns have won many awards, including Cannes Lions, PRovoke Media, ICCO, European Excellence, PRCA Digital, Digital Impact and Global Digital Excellence. At the heart of the business is the TEAM LEWIS Foundation (TLF), a non‑profit charitable entity. Since its launch in 2021, it has funded over 2,600 causes. The TLF promotes a wide variety of social, cultural, and environmental causes that benefit society. It aims to strengthen the bonds between the creative industries, businesses, government, and non‑profits. Community charities are championed by employees who, in addition to the financial donation, volunteer their time and skills to maximise the grants’ effectiveness.

Purpose of the role

The Defence Advisory Consultant will lead the strategic direction and commercial growth of TEAM LEWIS’ global Defence and Advanced Technologies practice. This is a founding leadership role suited to an ambitious, tenacious individual with deep domain knowledge of defence, security, and government ecosystems. They will also possess a strong understanding of how complex organisations build credibility, influence stakeholders, manage defence procurement and communicate strategically. You will lead by influence, building and directing multi‑disciplinary, multi‑market client teams, partnering closely with marketing and new business teams to build awareness and demand, and serving as the senior client servicing lead on clients. While the role is based in the UK, it has global application, with a particular emphasis on supporting work in the United States. You will play a critical role in shaping what our defence offer stands for, how we go to market credibly, and how defence integrates with our wider sector and capability expertise. By connecting these defence capabilities with existing agency strengths in Energy, Technology, Public Affairs, and Capital Markets, the Defence Advisory Consultant will create a unique go‑to‑market offer. One that addresses the intersection of national security, technological innovation, geopolitical risk, and investor sentiment.

Main responsibilities

• Commercial Growth & New Business Leadership: Proactively originate and convert new business opportunities by leveraging personal networks, targeted outreach and internal referrals. Build and manage a qualified pipeline across defence and sector‑adjacent clients (including energy security, cyber resilience, aviation/aerospace, dual‑use and advanced technology). Lead pitches end‑to‑end: shaping the narrative, structuring the solution, coordinating internal contributors, and guiding negotiations through to close. Partner with global new business teams to define priority targets, develop account plans, and build repeatable routes‑to‑market (partners, associations, events and referral mechanisms). Identify opportunities to expand existing mandates through cross‑sell of TEAM LEWIS capabilities, ensuring the offer is practical, outcome‑led and easy to buy.
• Senior Client Servicing Lead: Serve as the senior relationship owner and strategic advisor for clients won. Provide executive‑level counsel and act as the primary escalation point. Lead senior client conversations on reputation, stakeholder engagement, issues management and crisis readiness (as required). Set clear direction for delivery teams: defining scope, success measures, governance and decision‑making, and ensuring high standards of quality and pace. Drive account growth through proactive identification of new needs, development of proposals, and securing renewals and expansions. Work in close partnership with marketing to deliver an always‑on visibility and demand plan (campaigns, thought leadership, events, speaker opportunities, credentials and partnerships). Shape compelling market‑facing assets (credentials decks, sector POVs, case studies, executive briefing notes) that build credibility and generate inbound interest. Represent TEAM LEWIS externally at relevant industry forums, roundtables and trade associations; develop relationships with sector media, analysts and influencers where appropriate. Ensure messaging remains credible and nuanced for defence‑adjacent audiences, while clearly communicating measurable commercial outcomes.
• Integrated Delivery & Matrix Team Leadership: Build and lead high‑performing client teams by pulling in the right client servicing leads and specialists across services and geographies (PR, digital, content, creative, public affairs, analytics and performance). Lead by influence (without initial direct reports initially): create clarity on roles and responsibilities, establish operating rhythms, and ensure accountability across contributors. Translate sector dynamics into actionable delivery guidance so teams can work confidently and appropriately in sensitive environments. Ensure consistency of narrative and outcomes across channels, supporting clients with integrated programmes that move the needle commercially and reputationally.
• Proposition Development & Internal Enablement: Help evolve and sharpen defence and defence‑adjacent positioning, connecting relevant themes across Technology/Cyber, Energy, Public Affairs and Capital Markets. Equip internal stakeholders with clear talk tracks, packaged offers, and examples of “what we sell” to accelerate internal referrals and cross‑market collaboration. Provide guidance on reputational and ethical considerations relevant to defence and security communications, supporting responsible decision‑making.

About you

• Significant experience in defence, security, aerospace/aviation or closely related sectors (agency, consultancy, in‑house, government‑adjacent, or equivalent).
• Demonstrable commercial track record: building pipeline, leading senior pursuits, and converting opportunities.
• Credible senior advisor with strong judgement, able to operate confidently with C‑suite stakeholders and complex organisations.
• Proven ability to lead multi‑disciplinary, multi‑market teams through influence (even without formal reporting lines).
• Strong ability to translate complex issues into clear narratives, market‑facing assets and practical client plans.
• Collaborative working style; comfortable partnering with marketing and new business teams to generate demand, not just respond to it.
• Strong written and verbal communication, stakeholder management, and organisational skills; comfortable operating at pace and with ambiguity.

Key internal stakeholders

• Lead Defence Advisor (London)
• VP, International Client Engagement (London)
• SVP US (Boston, Chicago, San Francisco)
• VP, Benelux & France (Eindhoven)
• VP, Southern Europe (Milan)
• VP, Germany (Munich)
• Chief Financial Officer (London)

TEAM LEWIS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating and fostering an environment focused on equality, empowerment and respect. We strive to create an inclusive workplace that supports and celebrates our diversity. We continue to invest in our efforts to ensure that TEAM LEWIS is a place where everyone can thrive.