Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software and V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit
www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on
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Job Description:
The Marketing Manager, Middle East will be responsible for shaping and executing Shield AI’s marketing strategy within the region. This position will be based in Abu Dhabi, UAE, and will focus on building brand awareness, supporting business development, and strengthening customer and partner relationships through localized marketing campaigns and events.
You’ll collaborate closely with regional leadership, global marketing, government relations, and product teams to deliver impactful campaigns that align with Shield AI’s mission and strategic growth goals in the Middle East.
What you'll do:
Develop and execute the regional marketing strategy to build Shield AI’s presence and brand recognition across the Middle East.
Localize global campaigns and messaging to align with regional market dynamics, cultural nuances, and audience needs.
Plan and manage regional events, including trade shows, defense exhibitions, and industry conferences — driving engagement with government, defense, and technology stakeholders.
Support go-to-market and partnership marketing efforts with distributors, defense contractors, and government entities in the Middle East.
Collaborate with the global communications team to ensure consistent brand storytelling across media, PR, and digital platforms.
Develop region-specific content, such as press releases, customer success stories, and partner spotlights, tailored to local audiences and aligned with strategic defense priorities (sovereign capability, offset programs, localization, etc.).
Manage and report on regional marketing budgets, KPIs, and ROI, optimizing investments for maximum impact and visibility.
Act as the regional marketing point of contact, coordinating across internal and external teams to ensure alignment with business development and product goals.
Provide market intelligence on competitive positioning, regional trends, and government policy developments relevant to Shield AI’s mission.
Required qualifications:
Exceptional communication skills in English and Arabic, both written and oral.
7+ years of experience in marketing, communications, or business development, ideally within aerospace, defense, or advanced technology sectors.
Demonstrated success in developing and executing regional marketing programs across multiple Middle East markets.
Strong understanding of B2G and B2B marketing in regulated, defense, or high-security industries.
Preferred qualifications:
A deep understanding of regional defense ecosystems, including key entities such as EDGE Group, SAMI, GAMI, Tawazun, and PIF, and the ability to tailor Shield AI’s messaging to align with their national capability-building objectives.
A proven ability to execute at the speed of relevance — transforming content from a demo, test, or event into a compelling, shareable video or story within 24 hours, either directly or through coordination with local content creators and agencies.
Experience integrating marketing with business development — ensuring every campaign directly supports capture efforts, partnership visibility, and program growth.
Comfort operating in high-tempo environments such as major defense exhibitions, bilateral meetings, and executive-level forums.
Strong creative instincts paired with operational discipline, balancing rapid execution with brand consistency and cultural sensitivity.
An entrepreneurial, self-starting mindset, able to anticipate opportunities, mobilize resources quickly, and adapt messaging for maximum strategic effect.
The ability to bridge cultures and communication styles across U.S. headquarters and Middle East partners — ensuring both global alignment and local authenticity.
