Head of TA

Second Front Systems (2F) is seeking an experienced and strategic Head of Talent Acquisition to lead and scale our hiring function during a critical phase of company growth. We are a mission-driven defense-technology company operating at the intersection of cutting-edge software and national security, committed to delivering transformative solutions that empower the nation’s most critical teams. At 2F, we combine the agility of a startup with the rigor required to support government and highly regulated environments. In this role, you will own and evolve our end-to-end talent acquisition function—ensuring we attract, assess, and hire exceptional talent capable of operating in the defense-tech ecosystem. You will serve as a trusted partner to senior leadership, translating business priorities into thoughtful, scalable hiring plans while building durable systems and processes that support long-term growth. This role is ideal for a hands-on talent leader who understands the defense-tech landscape, has experience hiring for cleared and clearance-eligible roles, and can balance strategic leadership with day-to-day operational excellence and action. Note: This role requires U.S. citizenship due to government contract requirements. Candidates must reside in one of our approved hiring hubs: DC / Maryland / Virginia Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill, NC Denver / Colorado Springs, CO Dallas / Fort Worth, TX What You’ll Do Own and execute the company-wide talent acquisition strategy aligned to business priorities, growth plans, and budget Serve as a strategic advisor to the executive team and functional leaders on workforce planning, headcount prioritization, and hiring tradeoffs Lead hiring across technical, go-to-market, and G&A roles, with expertise in cleared and clearance-eligible hiring Build and scale recruiting processes, including compliance-driven hiring considerations Own and optimize all TA systems and tooling (ATS, interview workflows, reporting, vendor partnerships) Ensure consistent, high-quality candidate experience from first touch through offer and close Partner closely with the Executive team, hiring managers, and hiring teams to ensure outstanding results Establish clear recruiting metrics and dashboards (time-to-hire, pipeline health, offer acceptance, quality of hire) and use data to drive continuous improvement Develop hiring manager capability through structured interview training, calibration, and ongoing partnership Manage external recruiting partners (RPO, retained search, agencies) as needed, ensuring cost-effective and high-quality outcomes Build hiring strategies specific to our approved job hubs, balancing local market dynamics with remote and hybrid needs Skills You’ll Bring to Our Team Ability to translate business strategy into a clear, executable hiring roadmap Strong judgment navigating tradeoffs between speed, quality, and compliance Bias toward action, ownership, and measurable outcomes Exceptional stakeholder management skills with senior leaders and executives Ability and desire to get the job done well Comfort operating in ambiguity while building structure and repeatability Preferred Qualifications 8+ years of progressive talent acquisition experience, including leadership roles Proven experience hiring for cleared or clearance-eligible roles within defense, aerospace, gov-tech, or adjacent regulated industries Experience owning and scaling recruiting systems and infrastructure (ATS, tooling, analytics) Track record of partnering closely with executive leadership and functional heads Experience managing vendors, agencies, or RPO partners Startup or high-growth company experience strongly preferred Our Talent Tech Stack: Ashby Linkedin Recruiter Complete All in One Compensation The expected base salary range for this role is $200,000-$225,000. Final compensation will be based on factors such as experience, skills, level, and geographic location. This role may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses and equity grants as part of the total compensation package. Success at 2F Looks Like: Viewing obstacles as opportunities for growth Having a bias toward action and tangible, measurable results Striving to be both compassionate and direct with your feedback Being team- and mission-oriented Perks & Benefits This role is full-time As a public benefit corporation, we’re a team of purpose-driven trailblazers transforming the future of U.S. national security. We hire the best to do their best and, as such, we are committed to providing the perks and benefits you need to be successful—both in- and outside the workplace. We offer you: Competitive Salary 100% Healthcare, vision and dental coverage 401(k) + 3% company contribution Equity incentive plan Tech + office supplies stipend Annual professional development stipend Flexible paid time off + federal holidays off Parental leave Work from anywhere Referral Bonus Visit our careers page to learn more. Who We Are Second Front Systems (2F) is a public-benefit software company powering software for the free world. We eliminate the friction that slows innovation, enabling faster, more secure development and deployment of software across government and regulated networks. Built by national security veterans and backed by top-tier venture capital, our platform is trusted by the world’s leading organizations to cut deployment timelines from years to weeks. We move fast, solve hard problems, and deliver trusted capabilities where they’re needed most. Our work strengthens global security and gives the United States and its allies a lasting competitive advantage. Learn more at secondfront.com . ONE LAST THING… We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Are you ready to join our team? To apply, click the “Apply for This Job” button at the top or bottom of this page and complete the application form. This position will remain open until filled, and applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. STATE NOTICES Colorado: In accordance with Colorado law, applicants may redact their date of birth, dates of attendance, and dates of graduation from any uploaded documents. Maryland: UNDER MARYLAND LAW, AN EMPLOYER MAY NOT REQUIRE OR DEMAND, AS A CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT, PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYMENT, OR CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT, THAT AN INDIVIDUAL SUBMIT TO OR TAKE A POLYGRAPH EXAMINATION OR SIMILAR TEST. AN EMPLOYER WHO VIOLATES THIS LAW IS GUILTY OF A MISDEMEANOR AND SUBJECT TO A FINE NOT EXCEEDING $100.