The Director of Naval Intelligence (DNI) serves as the head of Naval intelligence on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations. The Director of Naval Intelligence also serves as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Information Warfare (N2/N6) on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations. The Director of Naval Intelligence is not to be confused with the Office of Naval Intelligence, a Navy Echelon III command that serves as the U.S. Navy's Service Intelligence Center and supports the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations and the Director of Naval Intelligence via the Information Warfare Community.

Karl Owen Thomas is a United States Navy vice admiral who serves as the deputy chief of naval operations for information warfare and Director of Naval Intelligence. He most recently served as the 53rd commander of the United States Seventh Fleet from 2021 to 2024.