Presented by ClearanceJobs & Carahsoft
At ClearanceJobs Connect 2025, Art Zeile, CEO of DHI Group, described a moment of inflection for both his company and the national security hiring ecosystem. The parent organization of ClearanceJobs and Dice, DHI Group is pursuing what Zeile called a simple but transformative theme: “Expand the Mission.”
Zeile said this mindset drives the company to add tangible business value to clients and candidates alike. “We’re always looking for ways to serve both sides of the marketplace,” he explained. “For recruiters, that means technology and insight that help them find the right talent faster. For candidates, it means tools that improve their experience and their sense of trust in the process.”
To that end, DHI Group recently acquired Agile ATS, an applicant tracking system built specifically for government contractors. “It’s the only ATS designed from the ground up to support GovCon companies,” Zeile said. The acquisition strengthens DHI’s ability to offer integrated solutions that meet the compliance and workflow needs unique to federal contracting.
Another major step is the upcoming Premium Candidate Experience—a subscription option that gives ClearanceJobs’ 1.8 million registered professionals access to deeper insights, expanded visibility, and more tailored job matches. “We want to reward engagement and loyalty,” Zeile said. “Candidates who invest in their profile should get an elevated experience that helps them shine.”
Artificial intelligence also plays a key role. DHI Group’s internal AI Council is examining responsible ways to deploy automation across its platforms. “AI is the topic du jour,” Zeile acknowledged, “but it’s only valuable when it enhances trust.”
One example nearing release is an AI chatbot that helps candidates measure how their skills align with a job posting. “It can tell them where they have a gap and what it means for applying to that role,” Zeile said. “That’s the kind of AI that builds confidence rather than confusion.”
For Zeile, the emphasis on AI and data analytics is inseparable from the company’s heritage. “ClearanceJobs has spent 23 years earning the trust of the cleared community,” he noted. “We want every innovation—every tool, every data point—to reinforce that trust.”
He also sees DHI’s platforms as uniquely positioned to identify and supply AI talent across both commercial and federal markets. “On Dice, our customers are demanding tech professionals with AI skills. In the government and defense sector, the same trend is coming—just a little later,” he explained. “We’ve cataloged 366 distinct AI skills under that umbrella term, and we’re working to map them precisely to our candidates.”
This precision, he believes, will make ClearanceJobs the go-to source for AI talent in the GovCon and defense community. “The government is going to need armies of tech professionals who understand AI,” Zeile said. “We want to be the first place agencies and contractors turn when they need that expertise.”
Beyond technology, Zeile reflected on the enduring need for purpose. Referencing the Golden Dome program—a government initiative aimed at advancing AI and space-defense collaboration—he said such missions remind him of his own early career in the Air Force. “It’s exciting to see that sense of innovation and national purpose return,” he said. “Our job is to connect people with opportunities that serve that mission.”
As DHI Group continues to innovate, Zeile’s focus remains on balance: leveraging automation while strengthening human connection. “Innovation without trust doesn’t last,” he said. “Our goal is to create tools that help people do their best work, while keeping trust at the center of everything we build.”