Services & Standards Manager

ASD is the voice of European Aerospace, Security and Defence Industries, representing directly or indirectly (through our national association members) over 4,000 companies of all sizes, accounting for 98% of industry’s total turnover and 92% of its total employment in Europe. The association develops and advocates for common industry positions, with the objective to promote the competitiveness of our industrial ecosystem in times of fast technological and societal changes. ASD also develops widely recognised product lifecycle specifications providing guidance and standards to improve product reliability, safety and environmental performance. More on ASD’s work with regards to standards can be found here.

Position summary

The successful candidate will report directly to the ASD Secretary General and will be responsible for managing ASD’s activities in the field of Services & Standards, with the support of a junior manager. This includes leading the work of the ASD Services Commission and its subgroups, coordinating European industry positions on standardisation and product support matters, and supporting outreach and advocacy efforts on behalf of the sector. 

The manager will play a pivotal role in facilitating industry-wide cooperation, representing ASD members in high-level discussions with international stakeholders such as NATO, driving strategic technical projects, and advancing digital transformation and interoperability across the aerospace, security, and defence industries.

Key areas of responsibility

The Manager for Services & Standards will:

• Support and coordinate the activities of the ASD Services Commission and its subgroups (including agenda setting, meeting preparation, chairing meetings, and follow-up actions).
• Facilitate harmonised European industry positions on Services and Standardisation, especially around the development and maintenance of the S-Series specifications and related product support topics.
• Represent ASD in discussions with international stakeholders and institutional partners including NATO, EU institutions, and other industry associations.
• Monitor and assess policy and regulatory developments impacting services, product support, standardisation, and digital interoperability, and provide strategic guidance to ASD and its members.
• Develop industry guidance documents, white papers, and recommendations to support members’ needs and advance the competitiveness of the European aerospace and defence ecosystem.
• Organise and deliver ASD events, including the S1000D & IPS User Forum, the ASD IPS & S-Series Summit, and technical workshops.
• Serve as the main point of contact within ASD for services and standardisation, ensuring effective communication and collaboration across ASD’s bodies and member network.

Background and experience 

• Master’s degree (business, economics, management, engineering, political science, law, or related fields).
• 5+ years of relevant professional experience in the aerospace, security, and defence sector, or within a trade association or related organisation.
• Proven experience in leading or coordinating cross-industry or international projects, working groups, or committees.
• Solid understanding of digitalisation, product support (Integrated Logistic Support), and/or standardisation issues.
• Practical experience in an industrial, regulatory, or institutional environment, with demonstrated ability to connect technical and policy perspectives.

Skills and competences

• Strong leadership and coordination skills, with the ability to unite diverse stakeholders behind common objectives.
• Proficiency in English with excellent oral, writing, and editing skills; additional languages are an asset.
• Strategic thinker with precise, analytical, and contextual understanding of complex topics.
• Excellent organisational skills, able to manage multiple tasks and priorities in a fast-paced environment while ensuring timely delivery.
• Strong political and cultural awareness, with the ability to translate technical and operational issues for varied audiences.
• Effective communicator and relationship builder, confident engaging with senior industry and institutional representatives.
• Willingness and flexibility to travel within Europe and occasionally internationally.

We offer

A full-time job in a dynamic and intellectually stimulating environment with an attractive, indefinite-duration employment contract, including benefits, option to work up to two days per week from home, working for a strategically important industry at a crucial time for Europe.

How to apply

All applicants should send their CV and cover letter in English to applications@asd-europe.org with the reference “Services & Standards Manager”. The closing date for applications is 18 June 2025. 

ASD is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We welcome and encourage applications from all qualified individuals.