Defence Market Lead

Position Overview

As Canada prepares to exceed the NATO 2% defense spending benchmark, this is a strategic opportunity to lead a new market pivot—one that aligns federal investment with execution excellence. We are seeking a dynamic, well-networked leader who has successfully operated in both government and industry. You will be the strategic bridge between federal defense procurement policy and private sector delivery capability.

You’ll architect our go-to-market strategy around emerging defense infrastructure and procurement priorities—developing opportunities in construction, logistics, training, technology integration, and lifecycle sustainment.

District Overview

Kiewit Infrastructure Engineering's Design-Build team is driving clients to turn to Kiewit during all stages of design-build projects.  Through our integrated design and construction approach, our multi-disciplinary team works together to improve schedule, control costs and minimize risk. Our construction-focused engineers work collaboratively with our estimators and builders to design solutions that are innovative, constructible, and designed with a focus on safety. Clients benefit from the proven processes and tools used by Kiewit to minimize project risk. We are an in-house resource that supports projects throughout the company. Our staff shares experiences gained, innovative concepts, and best practices for all projects that we support.

Kiewit’s management and implementation of this process leads to safe, cost effective, and innovative designs that exceeds client expectations and furthers Kiewit’s legacy of excellence.

On our team, you’ll have the opportunity to see more, touch more, and do more than you ever imagined. Working hard will not only bring you satisfaction from a job well done, but it will help propel your career forward faster than you might expect. We will train you, develop your skills, and allow you to take on projects that impact millions across North America.

Location

This position can be based in one of our offices in Oakville, Ottawa, Calgary, or Vancouver. Other locations can be considered. 

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Market Development

• Define and execute a national strategy for penetrating and shaping Canada's expanded defense procurement market.
• Serve as a senior liaison between federal departments (DND, PSPC, DCC) and internal business units to align with national spending plans.

Program & Policy Navigation

• Interpret evolving federal defense strategies (e.g., Defence Industrial Strategy, Defence Investment Plan, National Shipbuilding Strategy) into actionable initiatives.
• Shape positioning around industrial benefits, Canadian content rules, and collaborative delivery models (P3s, MDB, IPD).

Stakeholder Engagement

• Cultivate and maintain high-level relationships across government, military, indigenous communities, and private industry.
• Represent the company in strategic dialogues with think tanks, trade associations (CADSI, CIPMM), and international partners.

Business Execution Enablement

• Work across internal engineering, construction, and program teams to prepare pursuit strategies, proposal alignment, and risk mitigation.
• Monitor the execution of awarded programs to ensure they align with political, regulatory, and reputational expectations.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of engineering or construction experience with a majority in defense infrastructure,  or federal procurement.
• Demonstrated leadership within both public (e.g. PSPC, DCC, Provincial) and private (e.g. contractor, consultancy, tech) environments.
• Track record leading multi-billion-dollar capital or technology programs tied to national defense or security.

Ideal Attributes:

• Confident navigating political landscapes—comfort with both the Hill and the Boardroom.
• Ability to build cross-sector coalitions and speak fluently across operational, legal, and commercial languages.
• Strong presence in Ottawa, with a network that spans federal agencies and the defense industry.
• Bilingual (English/French) is preferred. #LI-IS1