Chief Executive Officer

Executive Recruit; Bath; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 185,000; Full time

Job summary

A boutique executive search firm is seeking a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to drive strategic vision and operational excellence. The role requires proven leadership in technology services, financial acumen, and a strong network in the Defence and Government sectors. The candidate will be responsible for P&L accountability and fostering growth, shaping the direction and culture of the organization. This is a unique opportunity for a visionary leader to make significant impacts in the consultancy space.

Benefits

Significant Bonus

Corporate Benefits

Share Options

Qualifications

• Proven track record of scaling a technology or business services firm.
• Experience as a C-suite Executive/Managing Director.
• Understanding of technology services and Cyber.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute a bold strategic vision to achieve growth.
• Champion commercial excellence and market expansion.
• Drive operational and cultural evolution to support rapid growth.

Skills

Commercial acumen

Financial acumen

Stakeholder engagement

Leadership

Strategic mindset

Negotiation skills

Job description

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Location: Bath

Package: Base Circa £150k - £185k + Significant Bonus + Corporate Benefits + Share Options

We seek a dynamic leader of exceptional drive, with a documented track record of entrepreneurial growth and full P&L accountability. As a seasoned C-suite executive, you bring a robust understanding of technology services, including Cyber, and indispensable expertise in the Defence and Government sectors. This is more than a leadership role; it is an opportunity to architect the next chapter. Your mandate will be to define and orchestrate a bold strategic vision, elevating our established consultancy to a position of market leadership.

The Mandate: Architect of Transformation

This is a career-defining opportunity for a visionary leader to become the primary architect of our client's future. The mandate is to define and execute a bold strategic vision, propelling this established consultancy into its next chapter as a market-leading enterprise renowned for its innovation, commercial rigour, and exceptional client impact. As CEO, you will hold full P&L accountability and the autonomy to shape strategy, culture, and direction, driving exponential and sustainable growth.

Key Responsibilities: Your Strategic Portfolio

• You will be the central force behind the company's strategic, commercial, and operational evolution. Your portfolio will encompass:
• Orchestrating Strategic Vision & Growth: Crafting and evangelising a compelling multi-year growth strategy, translating ambitious vision into a concrete operational roadmap with a clear objective to surpass £40M in turnover. This requires continuous analysis of market dynamics to identify disruptive opportunities and making astute capital allocation decisions to balance innovation with financial sustainability.
• Championing Commercial Excellence & Market Expansion: Owning the commercial engine by identifying and capitalising on new revenue streams, strategic partnerships, and M&A opportunities. You will develop robust financial models to optimise profitability and ensure operational infrastructure scales in lockstep with ambitious growth targets, guaranteeing unwavering quality and client satisfaction.
• Forging Influential Client Relationships: Acting as the company's foremost ambassador to deepen strategic relationships within core Defence and Government sectors while expanding into adjacent high-value markets. You will leverage an extensive senior network to unlock pivotal opportunities and provide ultimate oversight on major bids and complex contract negotiations.
• Driving Operational & Cultural Evolution: Instituting world-class, scalable governance and processes to create a foundation for rapid growth. You will champion a culture of relentless innovation and high performance, fostering an agile, accountable environment that acts as a magnet for top talent.
• Inspiring Leadership & Talent Development: Providing empowering leadership to the Executive Team to foster strategic alignment and a results-oriented mindset. A key focus will be on attracting, mentoring, and retaining industry-leading talent to build a deep leadership bench capable of executing the long-term growth strategy.

The Candidate Profile

You are a proven, visionary, and driven leader with a demonstrable track record of scaling a technology or business services firm. Your background will include:

• Exceptional commercial and financial acumen, with a proven ability to drive top-line revenue growth while optimising operational efficiency and profitability.
• As a seasoned C-suite Executive/ Managing Director or similar.
• An understanding of technology services, including Cyber and broader technology services.
• Expertise of technical service delivery into the Defence and Government sectors.
• A track record of growing a business or business unit to £30m+.
• A strategic mindset that seamlessly oscillates between long-term vision and pragmatic, decisive execution.
• Outstanding stakeholder engagement skills, with innate ability to build deep trust, influence strategic outcomes, and negotiate complex agreements at the most senior levels.
• Mastery of business operations, financial planning, and implementing the frameworks necessary for sustainable scaling.
• An essential background engaging with UK Defence or Government departments, complemented by a strong, relevant network of senior contacts.
• A deep understanding of managed services and the intricacies of consultancy delivery and consultancy services.

Personal Characteristics

• A Visionary Pragmatist: You inspire with a compelling picture of the future but are equally known for your grip on detail and executional rigour.
• An Empowered Entrepreneur: You own the outcome, displaying resilience, calculated risk-taking, and an unwavering ambition to build something truly significant.
• A Connector & Influencer: A master communicator, compelling in a boardroom, client workshop, or company-wide briefing.
• A Builder of Tribes: You lead with authenticity, empowering those around you to excel and fostering a collaborative, high-trust culture.

Executive Recruit is a boutique executive search firm specialising in helping organisations source and attract top-tier leadership talent. With a tailored approach, we partner with businesses to identify high-calibre executives who drive growth and transformation. Our expertise ensures clients find the right blend of experience and acumen to strengthen leadership and board effectiveness.

LinkedIn Business: www.linkedin.com/company/executive-recruit