Chief Growth Officer

About the role

We are seeking a Chief Growth Officer (CGO) to lead the next stage of growth at The Engine. The CGO will oversee partnership strategy, revenue growth, and market positioning, while serving as a senior thought partner to the CEO and leadership team. This role is ideal for an experienced Tough Tech entrepreneur or commercial leader who has scaled companies, built first‑of‑a‑kind (FOAK) projects or facilities, and is energized at being an evangelist for Tough Tech entrepreneurs in the ecosystem.

Requirements

• 10+ years of experience in growth‑oriented roles (e.g., founder/CEO, commercial leader, business development, partnerships, or corporate development), ideally in a tough tech sector.
• Direct experience as a tough tech entrepreneur, founder, and/or CEO, or as a senior commercial leader in a scaling tough tech company.
• Demonstrated success building and executing partnership strategies that deliver measurable outcomes (e.g., revenue, pilots, FOAK deployments, strategic alliances).
• Experience working with startups and helping companies scale through key stages (from early pilots to commercial scale, including funding rounds and/or exits).
• Strong track record managing and growing teams in high‑ambiguity, mission‑driven environments.
• Ability to operate effectively in board and senior stakeholder settings, including preparing materials and presenting strategy.
• Deep networks across commercial partners and investors relevant to climate tech, sustainability, industrial decarbonization, biotech, or related industries.
• Passion for emerging technologies and tough tech innovation, with the ability to quickly understand new technical domains and their commercial applications.

Additional Information

About The Engine The Engine is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting Tough Tech entrepreneurs solving the world's most challenging problems. We provide founders with the infrastructure, capital access, and operational support needed to turn breakthrough science and technology into real-world impact.

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