Executive Search – National Information Technology Leader, Defense & Aerospace

Client Overview

Our client is a leading provider of advanced training solutions in the defence, aerospace, and military sectors. They deliver both in-flight and simulator-based training to military pilots and were recently awarded a high-profile contract to manage pilot training for the Royal Canadian Air Force.

The Task

We were retained to recruit a National IT Leader to oversee the organization’s technology infrastructure on a national scale. The role required a senior executive capable of leading both day-to-day operations and long-term IT strategy, including the development of a robust technology roadmap. The successful candidate would be central to supporting mission-critical training systems in a highly regulated, high-security environment.

The Challenge

The client sought a rare combination of experience and expertise. The ideal candidate needed to:

• Bring senior leadership experience in corporate IT operations
• Have the ability to define and execute a national IT strategy
• Understand the complexities of high-security, mission-critical systems
• Ideally have a background in aviation, aerospace engineering, or military operations

This presented a unique challenge, as few IT leaders possess both the technical breadth and the operational understanding required to thrive in the defence and aerospace training environment. The role demanded both vision and precision, as well as familiarity with security, compliance, and operational readiness standards.

Our Approach

We conducted a discreet national search targeting senior technology leaders in defence contracting, aviation, military technology, and engineering-focused environments. Key components of our approach included:

• Identifying senior leaders with a track record of aligning IT infrastructure with operational needs
• Prioritizing candidates with both SMO (Senior Management Officer) experience and exposure to regulated industries
• Evaluating strategic vision, leadership capabilities, and ability to navigate high-compliance environments

The Result

Within six weeks, we successfully placed a seasoned IT executive with national leadership experience in aerospace operations, a deep understanding of secure systems management, and a background in military engineering. The new hire is now driving the organization’s digital strategy forward, ensuring secure and scalable systems that align with the client’s mission to deliver world-class training for Canadian aircrew.