Finding Your Special Forces: Executive Recruitment in National Security Tech Startups
In the specialised world of national security technology, having the right leadership can determine a startup's trajectory
In the specialised world of national security technology, having the right leadership can determine a startup's trajectory. A recent webinar from Karve, hosted by Lloyd F. — featuring James Cowley from Legion Search — highlighted crucial insights for senior-level recruitment in this unique sector.
The Recruitment Challenge
National security tech startups face distinct hiring hurdles. They need leaders who understand both cutting-edge technology and complex government procurement processes.
"Finding individuals that understand how to sell into government and defence while also knowing how to build and scale tech companies—that's the biggest challenge," notes Cowley. This talent gap is especially acute for sales leadership roles, where candidates must navigate lengthy government sales cycles while maintaining startup agility.
Meanwhile, non-AI tech startups often struggle with both funding constraints and talent acquisition compared to their AI-focused counterparts.
The Ideal Executive Profile
Cowley emphasises the importance of a "special forces mentality"—combining adaptability, perseverance, and strategic thinking. The best candidates embrace the VUCA model (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity) that characterises both early-stage companies and the defence sector.
Notably, Cowley advocates prioritising cultural fit over technical competence: "If you have to choose between competence and cultural fit, always go with cultural fit. Skills can be learned; mindset is harder to change."
Best Practices for Executive Hiring
The webinar outlined several effective approaches:
Structured interviewing: Replace casual conversations with consistent evaluation criteria
Rigorous reference checks: Verify candidates' achievements through former colleagues
Psychometric assessments: Complement traditional interviews with objective measurements
Timing awareness: Avoid hiring too senior too soon or making decisions based on unsecured funding
Overlooked Leadership Roles
Two executive positions often receive insufficient attention:
Chief People Officer: Essential for maintaining culture as companies scale beyond the founding team
Chief Financial Officer: Provides crucial financial discipline and planning capabilities, even on a fractional basis
Strategic Search Partnerships
"A good headhunter does more than put a bum on a seat—we provide market intelligence, connections to capital and Board level advisors, and strategic hiring guidance," Cowley notes.
Building relationships with specialised search partners before immediate hiring needs arise can provide strategic advantages, including access to passive candidates not actively job-seeking.
Conclusion
As one founder admitted to Cowley: "I didn't have time to hire right"—a shortsighted approach that ultimately costs more in team disruption and replacement expenses.
In the national security technology sector, finding executives with the right blend of skills, experience, and mindset remains challenging but essential. The most successful companies will be those with leadership teams possessing that special forces mentality: adaptable, resilient, and mission-focused regardless of obstacles.
