Chief of Staff

Our client is seeking a dynamic and strategic Chief of Staff to partner closely with the CEO and leadership team to drive operational excellence, support strategic growth initiatives, and help scale the organization through its next phase of growth. This is a high-impact role with broad exposure across executive operations, business strategy, partnerships, and cross-functional execution.

The ideal candidate is a highly organized, mission-oriented operator who can move fluidly between strategic thinking and hands-on execution, thrives in fast-paced environments, and enjoys helping leadership teams turn priorities into action.

Location: Washington, DC preferred. This role requires in-office presence Tuesday through Thursday in the DC area, with remote work flexibility on Mondays and Fridays. Seattle WA or San Francisco CA area candidates may be considered, with an expectation of travel to Washington, DC for approximately one week per month.

Compensation & Benefits: $150,000 - $180,000 per year. In addition to competitive compensation, we also offer a generous benefits package, which includes: Stock options, Flexible paid time off, 401k plan with employer match, 16 weeks of paid family leave, Employer HSA contributions, Transit benefits to put toward commuting expenses, Medical, dental, and vision insurance, Relocation assistance, Dog friendly office

Responsibilities:

• Partner closely with the CEO to drive clarity, alignment, and execution on key priorities.
• Accelerate follow-up and execution from leadership and external meetings through preparation of tailored briefs, presentations, two-pagers, and other decision-support materials.
• Build and manage the company’s internal operating rhythm, including leadership meetings, quarterly planning processes, OKRs, KPI tracking, and cross-functional accountability cadences.
• Lead high-priority special projects from concept through execution, including evaluating new business lines, market opportunities, and adjacent growth areas.
• Develop structured business cases through market sizing, customer mapping, feasibility analysis, and go/no-go recommendations.
• Support investor relations and capital readiness efforts by contributing to board materials, coordinating diligence requests, organizing data room materials, and helping ensure timely information flow.
• Conduct targeted market and competitor research tied to near-term strategic decisions, producing concise, decision-ready analyses.
• Partner with internal stakeholders to support executive communications, presentations, and strategic messaging for investors, partners, government stakeholders, and internal audiences.
• Help drive accountability across teams and initiatives without direct people management responsibility.

Key Qualifications and Skills:

• 5–8+ years of relevant experience in defense, aerospace, hardware, robotics, energy, or other deep-tech environments; growth-stage startup experience strongly preferred.
• Experience engaging with government customers, programs, or stakeholders; familiarity with public sector business development, strategy, operations, or contracting processes is strongly preferred.
• Strong operator with a bias toward action and the ability to independently define problems, conduct research, synthesize information, and produce executive-ready deliverables.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate technical, operational, and regulatory subject matter into clear business materials.
• Experience establishing or managing OKR/KPI frameworks and cross-functional operating cadences.
• Strong judgment, discretion, emotional intelligence, and stakeholder management skills.
• Comfortable working in highly technical, government-facing, and mission-driven environments.
• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.

Travel: Approximately 15%–20% travel required.

About Hansell Tierney:

Hansell Tierney is one of the premier staffing and recruiting companies in the Pacific Northwest. Launched in 2001, we are a woman-owned business that serves and staffs Northwest organizations by doing things the right way, not just the easiest way. Hansell Tierney partners with candidates and clients to match the best candidates with interesting local opportunities. We navigate every relationship with the highest level of discretion and service while holding ourselves accountable to our promises. Our business thrives on our deep understanding of the job market and our ability to skillfully tailor our recruitment process to meet our clients’ unique needs.

Compensation and Benefits Disclosure

The compensation range listed above represents the expected range for this position. Actual compensation may vary based on factors including experience, skills, internal equity, and geographic location. Benefits available to eligible employees or consultants may include medical, dental, and vision insurance, paid sick leave, retirement savings plans, paid time off, and other employer-sponsored programs. This role may also be eligible for bonus, commission, or other incentive compensation depending on the position and company policies.

This Organization Participates in E-Verify

This employer participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. If E-Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, this employer is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before the employer can take any action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers can only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9.