Chief Executive Officer Job Denver area,Colorado USA,Management

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – Government Contracting (NRO-Focused)

We are hiring a CEO to lead a growing, Denver-based government contracting business focused on software engineering within the NRO ecosystem. Backed by a private equity platform, the company is entering its next phase of growth following a recent acquisition. This is not a turnaround, the business has demonstrated resilience and growth, even in uncertain government environments. The focus is on building and executing a scalable NRO strategy, strengthening client relationships, and driving disciplined, entrepreneurial growth.

You will serve as the face of the business, owning strategy, business development, and leadership, while partnering with an established operations leader who manages back-office execution and P&L.

What You'll Do:

Lead overall business strategy with a focus on NRO growth and market expansion
Build and execute a scalable NRO strategy leveraging existing relationships and networks
Drive business development, including prime contractor relationships and new contract wins
Serve as a billable leader, contributing to delivery and supporting cost efficiency
Lead recruiting efforts and help attract top technical talent
Strengthen employee retention and team engagement during a leadership transition
Partner closely with operations leadership on execution and performance
Identify and support acquisition opportunities within the broader platform

What We're Looking For:

Proven leadership experience at the CEO, COO, or senior operator level
Strong relationships within the NRO community (critical requirement)
Background in government contracting, ideally within software engineering or systems engineering
Ability to be hands-on and billable (e.g., engineering, PM, or technical leadership experience)
Entrepreneurial mindset with a desire to grow and scale a business
Experience managing client relationships, particularly with prime contractors
Track record of building teams, driving retention, and leading through transition
Self-starter comfortable operating in a fast-paced, evolving environment

Preferred:

Prior experience working directly with or for the NRO
Background in software engineering, systems engineering, or technical program management
Experience founding, scaling, or exiting a business
Military leadership experience, particularly within elite or technical units

Why Join:

Lead a high-impact business within a growing, PE-backed platform
Own strategy and growth while partnering with a strong operational counterpart
Direct exposure to acquisitions and strategic expansion opportunities
Equity participation and long-term value creation
Opportunity to shape the future of a specialized, high-barrier-to-entry market

Key Priorities (First 6 Months):

Successfully transition leadership from the outgoing founder while maintaining stability
Build and operationalize a clear NRO growth strategy
Establish credibility as a leader and billable contributor within the organization