Spotlight on: Chief of Staff

When considering roles which have multiple definitions, Chief of Staff is probably one of the first ones that come to mind. In some organisations, Chief of Staff is considered an extension of HR – in others, Chief of Staffs are former EAs whose responsibilities have grown to the extent that they are business partners to the CEOs they support, and in others they are individuals who support Executives with business and private duties, including property and household staff management.

But what all these roles have in common is someone who is a strategic thought partner to an Executive or leadership team, who can streamline process and stay one step ahead at all times. So…

Why hire a Chief of Staff?

A Chief of Staff is someone who can handle multiple responsibilities and can streamline a range of operational elements – they are strategic thinkers, tactical negotiators and skillful communicators who can essentially run the day to day of a business (or household), while keeping client and internal relationships nurtured.

In short, they can ease the workload of their CEOs / Executives while also streamlining their diaries and day to day duties.

What a Chief of Staff can do for you

• High-level EA support – including close gatekeeping of their calendars, arranging last-minute travel and inbox management.
• External relationship management – managing relationships with clients and key stakeholders.
• Project and operational change management – Chiefs of Staff are able to spearhead key initiatives within the business, come up with new ways to streamline processes, and steer the business through periods of change – taking this workload away from senior Executives.
• Internal relationship and reputational management – the Chief of Staff is often the go-between between the CEO and the rest of the business, opening up a communication channel that would otherwise not exist. The Chief of Staff is then able to report back on the temperature of the team, while ensuring relations between leadership and the wider team remain warm.
• Negotiation – Chief of Staffs are masters of negotiation, and can support with reducing costs on contracts with vendors, building managers and travel agents.

• Financial Oversight – assisting with financial matters such as budget oversight and management, expense tracking, coordination and reporting.

• Staff management – in structures with a Chief of Staff, a range of staff can report into the Chief of Staff. In private-focused roles, this can be everyone in the household staff team, from cleaners and gardeners to Private PAs and chauffeurs.
• Property management – more common with private support roles, but Chief of Staffs are often able to manage the upkeep (and sales and purchases) of property and assets for their Executives.
• Commercial thought partner and sounding board – Chiefs of staff are highly commercial and provide advice and offer guidance to their Executives.

Chief of Staff salaries

With such a varied scope to the roles, it’s unsurprising that Chief of Staff roles can have a very wide salary bracket. For further details or to discuss these ranges please contact samantha@vwa.com.

How VWA Can Help

At VWA, we understand the critical role a Chief of Staff plays in driving business efficiency and supporting leadership. With our expertise in business support recruitment, we help organisations find exceptional talent that aligns with their needs, culture, and long-term goals. Whether you’re hiring or looking for your next opportunity, our tailored approach ensures the perfect match for both clients and candidates.

Hiring a Chief of Staff? Get in touch today recruit@vwa.com or learn more about how VWA can support you in your search here.