Project Manager - EU & NATO Affairs
SAAB Aktiebolag · Karlskoga · Tills vidare · Deadline 2026-10-26
Saab Aktiebolag is hiring a **Project Manager - EU & NATO Affairs** to join the Strategy & Portfolio team within Business Unit Ground Combat. Based in Karlskoga, Stockholm, or Linköping, the role involves **travel within Sweden and internationally** as required. You will lead and coordinate high-quality proposals, tenders, and strategic initiatives tied to European Defence Fund (EDF), European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP), NATO procurement, and related European defence initiatives. Core duties include end-to-end tender and grant preparation, managing complex international consortia and stakeholder relationships, monitoring defence capability priorities and funding calls, and ensuring all submissions meet contractual, security, export-control, and eligibility standards. Candidates should have proven experience from a similar role at a **Tier-1 defence supplier**, demonstrated project-management experience with complex multi-stakeholder projects, and a track record of producing tenders or grant proposals to tight deadlines. Excellent written and spoken English and a strong understanding of the defence sector are required. Highly valued assets include experience with EDF, EDIP, EDA, Horizon Europe, or NATO procurement, as well as backgrounds in EU institutions, government relations, trade promotion, or defence-policy networks. Swedish language proficiency is beneficial. Appointment requires passing a **security vetting**, with citizenship obligations potentially applying for security clearance.
Want to influence the bigger picture? At Saab, you can realise amazing innovations that keep people and societies safe. Together, we can truly make an impact - and your part matters.
Saab Dynamics, Business Unit Ground Combat Lead the partnerships that will define the future of European ground combat. We are looking for a project manager to strengthen Strategy & Portfolio within Business Unit Ground Combat. You will lead and coordinate the development of high-quality proposals, tenders and strategic initiatives connected to EU and NATO defence opportunities and to spearhead our ability to use this subject as part of maturing our organisation.
The position may be based in Karlskoga, Stockholm or Linköping, with travel within Sweden and internationally as required.
Your role
The role sits at the intersection of business strategy, European defence policy, project delivery and international partnership. You will work closely with technical experts, business development, programme teams, legal, security and external partners to translate opportunities into competitive, compliant and timely submissions.
Key responsibilities include:
- Identify, assess and coordinate EU and NATO opportunities relevant to Ground Combat, including European Defence Fund (EDF), European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP), NATO procurement and related European defence initiatives.
- Lead the end-to-end development of tender and grant-proposal material: planning, requirements capture, partner inputs, writing, review, quality assurance, budget coordination and submission.
- Manage complex international consortium and stakeholder relationships, including industrial partners, research organisations, government representatives and internal business functions.
- Support strategy and portfolio development by monitoring European and NATO defence-policy developments, capability priorities, funding calls and market opportunities.
- Help shape consortium strategy, partner roles, governance, work-package structures and risk management for collaborative initiatives.
- Ensure that submissions and subsequent projects meet applicable contractual, financial, security, export-control and eligibility requirements.
- Represent the business unit in relevant European and international forums, meetings and partner engagements.
Your profile
We believe you have:
- Demonstrated experience from a similar job at a Tier-1 defence supplier.
- Demonstrated project-management experience involving complex, multi-stakeholder and preferably international projects.
- Experience developing high-quality tender, proposal or grant-application material to demanding deadlines.
- Experience with EDF, EDIP, EDA, Horizon Europe, NATO procurement, or comparable European/international funded initiatives is highly valued.
- Strong understanding of the defence sector and collaborative industrial programmes.
- Excellent written and spoken English, with the ability to turn complex technical and commercial material into clear, persuasive submissions.
- Strong communication, coordination and stakeholder-management skills.
- A structured, proactive approach, sound judgement and the ability to manage competing priorities.
A background in government relations, EU affairs, or similar environments would be highly beneficial. The role requires not only strong proposal management skills but also the ability to build relationships and navigate complex multinational collaborations. An understanding of both EDF and NATO procurement environments is advantageous, as they operate under different frameworks and requirements.
- Experience in government trade affairs, defence attaché/trade-promotion work, an embassy or Swedish public-sector organisation abroad.
- Experience from EU institutions, European defence-policy networks, NATO-related organisations or the broader EU community.
- Existing relationships across European defence industry, government or research stakeholders.
- Swedish language skills.
This position requires that you pass a security vetting based on the current regulations around/of security protection. For positions requiring security clearance additional obligations on citizenship may apply.
What you will be part of
Explore a wealth of possibilities. Take on challenges, create smart inventions, and grow beyond. This is a place for curious minds, brave pioneers, and everyone in between. Together, we achieve the extraordinary, each bringing our unique perspectives. Your part matters.
Saab is a leading defense and security company with an enduring purpose, to help nations keep their people and society safe. Empowered by its 28,000 talented people, Saab constantly pushes the boundaries of technology to create a safer and more sustainable world.
Saab designs, manufactures and maintains advanced systems in aeronautics, weapons, command and control, sensors and underwater systems. Saab is headquartered in Sweden. It has major operations all over the world and is part of the domestic defense capability of several nations.