War Gaming Event Planner

Spektrum have a wide range of exciting opportunities in several global locations.

We are always looking to add great new talent to our team and look forward to hearing from you.

Spektrum supports apex purchasers (NATO, UN, EU and National Government and Defence) and their Tier 1 supplier ecosystem with a wide range of specialist services. We provide our clients with professional services, specialised aerospace and defence sales, delivery, and operational subject matter expertise. We are looking for personnel to join our team and support key client projects.

Who we are supporting

Allied Command Transformation (ACT) is NATO’s leading agent for change: driving, facilitating, and advocating the continuous improvement of Alliance capabilities to maintain and enhance the military relevance and effectiveness of the Alliance. The main objectives of ACT are: providing appropriate support to NATO missions and operations; leading NATO military transformation; and improving relationships, interaction and practical cooperation with partners, nations and international organisations. ACT therefore leads Alliance concept development, capability development, training and lessons-learned initiatives and provides unfettered military support to policy development within NATO.

The Program

Capability Development & Management Support (CDMS)

 DCOS Capability Development (CAPDEV) acts as the Supreme Allied Commander Transformation's Director for guidance, direction and coordination of the activities and resources of the Capability Development Directorate.

The Requirements Division will execute all tasks and activities needed to support requirements management for NATO capabilities

The Capability Requirements (CR) Branch will develop the Capability Requirements Brief and recommended courses of action to resolve issues through the life cycle management of requirements using matrixed, cross-functional project-specific Requirements Management teams.

The Requirements Forward Branch (Mons) is responsible for conducting requirements development and management representation and engagement-related functions in Europe.

The Capability Division coordinates the development of capabilities from capability planning through acceptance and then disposal with management entities, NATO Headquarters staff and the NATO Governance Structure

The Capability Forward Branch (Mons) coordinates with ACO, NCIA, NSPA, NATO HQ, territorial Host Nations, and NATO Centres of Excellence (COEs) to support the development of capabilities.

Strategic Plans and Policy (SPP) supports Allied Command Transformation in formalizing military advice to shape future military strategy, political guidance, and other policy documents supporting NATO’s strategic objectives.

Role Duties and Responsibilities

• Coordinate, manage, and supervise all administrative, information technology (IT), security, facility, transportation, catering, and real-life support requirements for all events related to wargame planning, development, execution, and post-event activities. This includes, but is not limited to:
• Serve as the central point of contact for event management, liaising with facility owners, NCIA for IT services, NATO security staff, catering providers, transport coordinators, and accommodation services.
• Develop, maintain, and distribute all event-related documentation, including calling messages (formal invitations), administrative instructions, contact lists, participant rosters, and security access rosters.
• Ensure that venue requirements (rooms, seating, IT infrastructure) are surveyed, booked, and configured to meet the needs of each wargame event. This includes drafting venue floor plans and managing contingency plans.
• Manage participant registration, check-in, access control, and coordination of security clearances in close cooperation with host facilities and NATO security offices.
• Oversee logistical arrangements, including transportation between lodging and venues, catering, social functions (icebreakers, DV day), and the secure transport of sensitive materials and equipment.
• Document lessons identified from each event management cycle to continuously improve support for future events. Contribute event management annexes to final wargame reports.
• Support after-action reviews (AAR) and follow-on refinement of event procedures, integrating lessons learned.
• Provide proactive updates to the Project Manager / Game Director on event status, issues, and recommended adjustments to maintain schedule and quality.
• Perform additional tasks related to event planning / wargame design or documentation as required by the COTR within the scope of this contract.
• The primary wargame event(s)
• Planning conferences and workshops
• Wargame rehearsals and playtests
• Briefings to sponsors and distinguished visitors (DVs)
• After action reviews and lessons identified sessions

Essential Skills and Experience

• Demonstrated professional event coordination and management experience in the past five (5) years for events hosting at least 50 people.
• Demonstrated experience working in multinational teams.
• Demonstrated experience in stakeholder management.
• Demonstrated understanding of all elements of event management, including facilities, transportation, administrative tasks, security, IT, and logistics.
• Demonstrated familiarity with the nuances of coordinating events in Europe
• Demonstrated proficiency in the use of the Microsoft Office Tool suite and collaborative software.
• Prior experience coordinating or managing events at the operational and/or strategic level, including administrative and logistical support.
• Experience contributing to after-action reviews and writing event management annexes or related sections of final reports.
• Demonstrable understanding of NATO and its unique structure and work environment.

Education

• 4-Year University baccalaureate degree.

Language Proficiency

• Advanced Proficiency in English

Working Location

• Norfolk, VA, USA

Working Policy

• On-Site

Contract Duration

• January 2026 – December 2030

Security Clearance

• Valid National or NATO Secret personal security clearance

We never know what new opportunities might be just over the horizon. If this opportunity isn't for you please feel free to send us your resume anyway and be the first to know if something suitable for your skills and experience comes up.