Chief of Staff positions can vary significantly depending on the needs of the organisation. Some roles focus primarily on strategic project management, while others act as an operational partner to the CEO or leadership team.
Chief of Staff Recruitment
Chief of Staff professionals play a strategic role in supporting senior leadership, helping organisations operate more effectively and ensuring key priorities are delivered. Working closely with founders, CEOs and executive teams, Chiefs of Staff help coordinate strategic initiatives, manage internal projects and strengthen communication across leadership teams.
Chiefs of Staff play a pivotal role in supporting senior leadership and driving strategic priorities across organisations. The role often involves overseeing key projects, improving internal coordination and acting as a trusted partner to executives to ensure that strategic initiatives are delivered effectively.
At VWA, we work closely with clients to recruit Chiefs of Staff who align with organisational culture, leadership style and long term business objectives.
Recruitment Support for Hiring Chief of Staff Professionals
VWA supports clients with Chief of Staff recruitment, helping organisations appoint high calibre professionals who can operate as a trusted partner to senior leadership while driving operational alignment across the business.
We assist clients across a range of industries including financial services, executive search, management consultancy, technology, private family offices, not for profit organisations and professional services firms.
Whether supporting a CEO with strategic initiatives, coordinating cross functional projects or acting as a central point of communication across leadership teams, a Chief of Staff can play a critical role in helping organisations deliver on their strategic objectives.
The Types of Chief of Staff Roles We Recruit For
VWA supports organisations with Chief of Staff appointments across a range of organisational structures and leadership environments.
Examples of successful placements include:
- Chief of Staff – Global charity dedicated to accelerating research, raising awareness and supporting people with an incurable type of blood cancer
- Chief of Staff – Private family office
Chiefs of Staff often operate as a strategic partner to senior leadership, helping manage priorities, coordinate initiatives and support the effective running of the executive office
Key Responsibilities
The responsibilities of a Chief of Staff vary depending on the organisation and leadership structure, but typically include areas such as:
- Supporting senior leadership with strategic planning and execution
- Coordinating cross functional projects and organisational initiatives
- Acting as a liaison between leadership teams and wider departments
- Preparing briefing materials and supporting leadership decision making
- Supporting communication and alignment across executive teams
- Monitoring progress on key organisational priorities
- Managing strategic projects on behalf of the CEO or leadership team
- Strengthening internal operational processes and governance
Chiefs of Staff are often required to combine strong strategic thinking with excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage complex stakeholder relationships.
Key considerations when hiring a Chief of Staff
Hiring a Chief of Staff often requires careful consideration of the scope of the role, the seniority of the position and the priorities of the leadership team they will support. The points below highlight several factors that can help shape an effective recruitment process and define the right candidate profile:
Understanding how the Chief of Staff will interact with senior leadership and other departments is important when defining the role. In many organisations the position reports directly to the CEO or founder.
Some organisations hire a Chief of Staff to support strategic initiatives and organisational growth, while others require a stronger operational focus to coordinate internal processes and leadership priorities.
Chiefs of Staff often come from diverse professional backgrounds including consulting, finance, operations or senior business support roles. Clarifying the leadership priorities and organisational environment can help determine the most suitable candidate profile.
Our Approach to Chief of Staff Recruitment
Chief of Staff hiring requires a detailed understanding of the organisation, the leadership team and the strategic objectives of the business. Our consultants work closely with senior stakeholders to define the scope of the role and identify the experience required to support leadership effectively.
Through our established network and targeted search approach, we introduce candidates who combine strong strategic thinking with exceptional organisational and stakeholder management skills.
We support clients across a range of sectors, helping organisations appoint Chiefs of Staff who can strengthen leadership effectiveness and drive operational success.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below you will find answers to some of the most common questions clients ask when hiring a Chief of Staff, covering role scope, recruitment approach and how VWA supports successful appointments.
What does a Chief of Staff do?
A Chief of Staff works closely with senior leadership to support the delivery of organisational priorities. The role often involves coordinating strategic initiatives, managing internal projects and ensuring communication and alignment across leadership teams.
Chiefs of Staff may also support decision making by preparing briefing materials, monitoring progress on key initiatives and acting as a central point of coordination across departments.
When should an organisation hire a Chief of Staff?
Organisations often hire a Chief of Staff when leadership teams require additional strategic support to manage growth, coordinate major initiatives or improve organisational alignment.
This role can be particularly valuable in fast growing businesses, founder led organisations or complex organisations where senior leaders need support managing multiple priorities.
What skills and experience should we prioritise when hiring a Chief of Staff?
Chiefs of Staff come from a variety of professional backgrounds, and the most suitable profile will depend on the priorities of your organisation and leadership team.
Some organisations hire Chiefs of Staff with consulting or strategy backgrounds to support strategic initiatives and business planning. Others look for candidates with experience in operations, finance or senior business support roles who can help coordinate projects, manage internal processes and support leadership decision making.
When defining the role, it can be helpful to consider whether the priority is strategic planning, operational coordination or leadership support. Our consultants can help refine the scope of the position and identify candidates whose experience aligns with the needs of your leadership team.
How does a Chief of Staff differ from an Executive Assistant?
While both roles support senior leadership, a Chief of Staff typically operates at a more strategic level. The role often involves managing organisational initiatives, supporting business strategy and coordinating cross functional projects.
Executive Assistants typically focus on managing schedules, communication and administrative support for senior leaders, although the two roles often work closely together in many organisations.
Where does a Chief of Staff typically sit within an organisation?
A Chief of Staff typically works closely with the CEO, founder or senior leadership team and often reports directly to them. The role acts as a strategic partner to leadership, helping coordinate priorities, manage cross functional initiatives and support organisational decision making.
In many organisations, the Chief of Staff works across multiple departments, ensuring communication and alignment between leadership and operational teams.
Can a Chief of Staff role evolve within an organisation?
Yes. In many organisations the Chief of Staff role evolves as business priorities change. The position can develop into broader leadership roles across strategy, operations or business management depending on the organisation’s structure and growth.
Can VWA advise on salary expectations for Chief of Staff roles?
Yes. Salary expectations for Chief of Staff roles vary depending on the organisation, industry and scope of responsibilities.
Our consultants regularly advise clients on salary benchmarks for Chief of Staff appointments and can help determine an appropriate compensation range based on the responsibilities of the role.
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