Marketing & Communications Manager (gn) @ DefenceTech Venture, Mechelen (Belgium)

About the Venture

We're Building the Future of Maritime Defense

MAHI is a European deep tech company building next-generation autonomous navigation technology for defense applications at sea. We combine advanced AI, embedded software, and integrated hardware into a fully certified, production-ready system that's already deployed with clients. We're not another promising startup with a prototype. We have a tested product, paying customers, and early traction in one of the world's most complex and high-stakes markets.

Our vessels range from 6 to 60 meters, our technology is field-proven, and our technical team brings deep domain expertise. Backed by leading investors, we're entering a critical growth phase - expanding our direct presence in defense markets and scaling operations across Europe and beyond.

This is where you come in.

The Role: MAHI's Voice to the World

This isn't a "delegate and oversee" role. This is a roll-up-your-sleeves, hands-on marketing position where you'll own every touchpoint between MAHI and the world - from manning conference booths in Brussels to crafting LinkedIn posts that defense professionals actually want to read. You'll be part strategist, part executor, and entirely responsible for building MAHI's presence in the maritime defense ecosystem.

One day you're coordinating booth logistics for a major defense conference. The next you're writing a press release about our latest deployment. The day after? You're updating the website, styling new team apparel, and planning next quarter's content calendar. If that sounds like too much, this isn't for you. If that sounds like exactly what you've been looking for, keep reading.

What You'll Actually Do

Conferences & Events (Own the Entire Experience)

You'll book conferences, handle all the admin, coordinate with agencies on booth design, arrange logistics for materials and team travel, man the booth yourself, and conduct post-event ROI analysis. This is hands-on from start to finish.

Marketing Strategy & Execution

You'll conduct market research and competitive positioning. Develop our marketing strategy and create compelling sales materials - brochures, case studies, one-pagers. Execute digital campaigns and draft LinkedIn content that positions MAHI as a thought leader. Keep the website fresh with team updates, client references, and blog posts. Style and source MAHI-branded apparel and merchandise (polos, jackets, water bottles, pens).

Communications (Internal & External)

You'll write and launch press releases, build relationships with defense and maritime press, and produce quarterly newsletters and investor updates. Manage internal team communications and develop our brand guidelines. You're the keeper of MAHI's voice and visual identity.

You're Perfect For This If:

• You're a hands-on operator - you execute personally, not just through vendors

• You write exceptionally well across formats - press releases, social posts, newsletters

• You're organized chaos - juggling conferences, campaigns, and content calendars energizes you

• You understand B2B/technical audiences and how to engage them

• You love events - conferences are where you thrive

• You're self-motivated and metrics-driven

• You have an eye for brand and design

What We're Looking For

Proven hands-on marketing experience in B2B environments. Exceptional writing and communication skills. Experience managing events and conferences end-to-end. Comfortable with digital marketing, content creation, and website management. Able to work with external agencies while executing independently. Willingness to travel for conferences (~15-20% of time). EU work authorization required.

Bonus points: Startup experience, defense/maritime/tech sector knowledge, press relations background, multiple European languages.

What You'll Get

• Direct impact on MAHI's growth trajectory

• Autonomy to own your domain with trust from leadership

• Budget for professional services where it makes sense

• Close collaboration with founders

• Work that matters - technology improving maritime safety and efficiency

The Bottom Line

This is a maker's role, not a manager's role. If you want to personally craft MAHI's market presence - from strategy through execution - this is it. The marketing foundation you build will define how the world sees MAHI for years to come.