The title Chief of Staff is one we’re hearing more and more, but it’s also one that means very different things depending on the business.
As organisations grow in complexity, many founders and CEOs realise they need someone who can sit at the centre of the operation, connecting strategy, communication and execution. That’s where a Chief of Staff comes in.
How the Chief of Staff Role Develops
Over the past few years, we’ve met a huge range of Chiefs of Staff. Some are earlier in their careers, having climbed quickly within boutique firms, often starting as Senior Executive Assistants or Business Managers and gradually taking on more project ownership, strategic exposure and cross-functional responsibility.
In these environments, the Chief of Staff role evolves organically. It’s earned through trust, capability and proximity to leadership.
Chiefs of Staff in Private Offices and UHNW Environments
At the other end of the spectrum, particularly within private offices or UHNW environments, the Chief of Staff can sit above all staff. They may oversee household teams, multiple properties, private travel logistics and act as the central operational hub for the Principal’s entire world.
It’s part operational director, part gatekeeper and part strategic fixer.
The Strategic Chief of Staff: Partner to the Founder or CEO
Then there are the Chiefs of Staff who operate very close to COO level. These individuals act as a true strategic partner to a Founder or CEO.
Their remit can include:
- Acting as a sounding board on investment strategy, portfolio growth and M&A activity
- Supporting and aligning multiple CEOs to ensure cohesion and delivery
- Leading executive management processes including board preparation, briefings, meeting follow-ups and action tracking
- Driving cross-entity projects and stepping in to resolve issues quickly
- Overseeing governance, compliance and backend operational frameworks
- Streamlining reporting lines, workflows and internal infrastructure
- Running and professionalising offices or group functions
- Acting as the central conduit between Founder and leadership teams, ensuring clarity, pace and accountability
In these cases, the Chief of Staff isn’t simply supporting the business, they are actively shaping it.
Why the Chief of Staff Role Varies So Much
So why does the role vary so much?
Because a Chief of Staff is not defined by tasks. It’s defined by proximity to leadership and the problems that need solving.
In a scaling startup, it might mean implementing order in chaos and helping drive company culture. In a holding company, it might mean aligning various CEOs. In a private office, it might mean running an entire ecosystem.
The common thread is commercial acumen, discretion and the ability to operate both strategically and operationally, zooming out to see the bigger picture while diving into the detail when required.
Why the Role Is Becoming More Important
Our recent salary survey highlights two clear priorities among candidates:
- 20% prioritise career progression when choosing a role
- 11% prioritise company culture, often citing team connection and internal engagement
Chiefs of Staff often influence both.
Because they work closely with leadership and across teams, they help create visibility around growth opportunities and internal mobility. At the same time, they often drive the communication rhythms, initiatives and leadership alignment that shape company culture.
In fast-growing organisations, these contributions can have a significant impact on how teams operate and how quickly businesses scale.
Hiring a Chief of Staff Starts With the Right Question
When clients tell us they need a Chief of Staff, our first question is always simple:
What problem are you trying to solve? Because once that’s clear, the profile becomes clear too.
