Chief Operating Officer

Job Summary RealmOne, a disruptive defense and technology company, is seeking a dynamic and results-driven Chief Operating Officer (COO) to oversee and drive the organization's operational excellence, ensure mission-first service delivery, and accelerate the growth of revenue and margin on prime contracts. The COO will report directly to the Chief Executive Officer and serve as a key member of the executive leadership team. The COO will have direct oversight to New Business Transition, Service Delivery, Total Contract Value (TCV) capture, and Operational Infrastructure such as Talent and Security. The COO works in close partnership with the entire Executive Leadership Team (ELT) to align execution and delivery excellence with strategy, growth, technical capabilities, and long-term market positioning.

Key Responsibilities Operational Excellence:

Lead and optimize company operations across all markets, implementing best-in-class processes and systems to ensure efficiency, scalability, and continuous improvement. Establish key performance indicators and drive a culture of accountability and high performance.

Mission-First Service Delivery:

Champion RealmOne's mission to deliver superior defense and technology solutions to clients and partners. Ensure all projects and programs are executed with a focus on reliability, quality, and client satisfaction, aligning resources to meet and exceed customer expectations. This includes management of the P&L by market, award fee performance, margin expansion, and program governance.

Growth of Portfolio:

In collaboration with the Chief Strategy Officer (CSO), develop and execute strategies to identify, pursue, and secure new contract growth to fully realize TCV. Collaborate with business development, capture, and proposal teams to strengthen RealmOne's competitive positioning and expand its portfolio of prime contracts.

Leadership & Team Development:

Build and mentor high-achieving teams, fostering a collaborative culture that attracts and retains top talent, and drives outcomes. Champion professional development and succession planning and scaling across the organization.

Strategic Planning:

Partner with executive leadership to shape and execute the company's long-term strategic vision. Translate strategic objectives into operational plans that deliver sustainable growth and value.

What You Bring:

We're looking for a leader who can work across the organization to drive operational outcomes. Success in this role requires an implementation mindset, strategic thinking, openness to new ideas, and the ability to collaborate in ways that strengthen both direction and execution. Additionally, you bring:

Demonstrated & Deep Customer Knowledge:

You use your experience as a cleared leader working in the industry to connect dots, communicate opportunity to customers, and create market position through relationships.

Growth Mindset:

You create and seek opportunities to drive on-program growth, leading and recruiting others by connecting dots for them and aligning tactical actions to strategic priorities. You have a demonstrated ability to expand revenue and margins on contracts.

Cultural Intelligence:

You understand how culture, incentives, and behavior shape execution. You know that lasting impact comes not just from strategy, but from building alignment and belief in people and teams. You hold team members accountable for goals and objectives, while building high-trust relationships with key performers and leaders.

Empathetic Influence:

You build trust across functions by listening, learning, and helping teams connect their work to the bigger picture. You lead through clarity and credibility, not just hierarchy. Qualifications We value candidates who bring a strong academic foundation combined with real-world experience driving performance, communicating complex ideas clearly, and navigating mission-focused environments. Experience supporting government and national security customers is a must, as is a demonstrated ability to translate strategic vision into outcomes that resonate across technical and non-technical audiences. 15+ years of experience in progressive leadership roles leading in excess of $200M in P&L. Proven track record leading operational execution and outcomes across diverse teams. Experience working closely with executive teams, advisors, and boards. Strong business acumen, analytical skills, and a bias toward action. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Proven ability to assess both market opportunity and financial return. Strong business judgment and executive presence. Physical Demands Must be able to work in a typical office environment at RealmOne headquarters in Columbia, MD on a full-time basis. Position may require travel as identified by the customers and individual to meet with employees or customers. Work Schedule is full-time Monday-Friday with flexibility for off hours if needed to be responsive to emerging strategic demands. Position requires active Security Clearance with appropriate Polygraph