Chief Operating Officer

Position: Chief Operating Officer (COO) Salary: $185,000 - $215,000 annually, based on qualifications + long-term incentives Location: On-site; Metro East region of St. Louis. Relocation assistance available. Travel: 20 – 30% Travel THE ROLE Our client is seeking a strategic, results-oriented Chief Operating Officer (COO) to lead and scale the day-to-day operations of a growing professional services organization. As the CEO's primary operational partner, the COO will oversee the people, processes, and systems that drive operational excellence, organizational growth, and long-term success. This executive will be responsible for developing and optimizing the company's operating infrastructure, including scalable processes, leadership accountability, performance metrics, forecasting, and documentation. The goal is to build a highly efficient organization that can continue to grow while reducing day-to-day reliance on the CEO and positioning the business for future strategic opportunities. This is an on-site executive leadership role based at the company's headquarters, working closely with the executive team and key operational leaders. RESPONSIBILITIES Partner with the CEO to set and achieve company growth, profitability, and scaling targets. Translate vision into actionable operational strategies, roadmaps, and measurable outcomes. Identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and execution gaps across the business and resolve them quickly. Operations & Delivery Lead day-to-day operations: service delivery, project and program execution, staffing, and internal workflows. Establish and refine systems, processes, and KPIs that drive accountability and performance across every department. Run operational decisions on data - dashboards and performance metrics, not anecdote. Own company P&L, departmental budgets, and financial performance in partnership with Finance. Improve forecasting, cash-flow management, and resource allocation. People & Organization Build and optimize the organizational structure; hire, develop, and retain top talent. Build a unified leadership team aligned on company goals and reinforce a culture of accountability and ownership. Government Contracting & Compliance Ensure operational compliance with FAR/DFARS, DCAA-compliant accounting and timekeeping, and contractual requirements. Maintain compliance posture across relevant frameworks (e.g., CMMC / NIST 800-171, ISO, CMMI, ITIL) and support audits. Support capture, proposals, and contract execution across company vehicles - GSA MAS, GSA OASIS+, and GSA Polaris - and our joint-venture partnerships; manage prime and subcontractor relationships. External & Enabling Build and maintain strong relationships with key clients, partners, and vendors. Act as a force multiplier - freeing the CEO to focus on strategy, growth, and external opportunities. QUALIFICATIONS Required 10+ years in operations leadership, ideally in technology services, MSP, consulting, or professional services. Direct experience operating in the U.S. government contracting environment (FAR/DFARS, DCAA, contract vehicles). Active Secret clearance, with the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret clearance. Track record of scaling a business, improving operational efficiency, and driving profitability. Strong experience with P&L ownership, budgeting, and financial management. Demonstrated ability to build systems, processes, and teams in a growth-stage company. Proven ability to build management systems and executive accountability - and the credibility to challenge the CEO directly and own the outcome. Strong strategic thinking paired with hands‑on execution (operator mindset). Bachelor's degree in business, management, or a related field. Preferred Experience implementing operating systems and accountability frameworks (EOS, Scaling Up, or similar). Familiarity with industry certifications and frameworks (CMMC, ISO, CMMI, ITIL). MBA or advanced degree. COMPENSATION & BENEFITS The expected base salary range for this role is $185,000 - $215,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications, plus a performance-based annual bonus (target 30-50% of base) and long-term incentives such as stock appreciation rights (SARs) or profit sharing. Base salary will be reviewed upon the award of major contract milestones. Full-time employees are also eligible for health and welfare benefits, including: Health, dental, and vision insurance HSA plan with company matching (for eligible HDHP enrollees) Company-paid mental wellness, financial wellness, and legal counseling services Company-paid life insurance Generous PTO allowance (160 hours annually) #J-18808-Ljbffr