Becoming a chief of staff is often the logical next step for executive assistants (EAs) ready to progress into a more strategic role.
Beyond managing day-to-day tasks and operations, you get the opportunity to work on long-term business strategies and be more involved in decision-making processes.
Interested in making the transition? This guide will cover everything you need to know about becoming a chief of staff, including the key responsibilities, skills required, common career paths and tips to stand out in the job market.
What Does a Chief of Staff Do?
A chief of staff acts as a senior advisor and strategic partner to the CEO or other C-suite members. The role goes beyond administrative support, focusing on making leadership more effective and ensuring the business runs smoothly at every level.
Typical responsibilities may vary depending on the organisation and industry, but chief of staff duties usually include:
Strategic Planning and Execution
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Supporting the CEO and leadership team in setting long-term goals.
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Tracking progress on key initiatives and ensuring accountability.
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Turning high-level strategy into clear, actionable plans.
Internal and External Coordination
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Liaising with employees and external partners on behalf of the executives.
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Managing company-wide communication to make sure priorities are aligned.
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Helping to resolve conflicts or misaligned objectives across departments.
Meeting Preparation and Support
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Preparing briefing notes and reports ahead of key meetings.
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Ensuring the executives have the right context and data to make decisions.
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Representing the CEO or leadership team in meetings when they cannot attend.
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Following up on action points and making sure they’re delivered.
Project Management
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Leading cross-functional projects that involve multiple departments.
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Overseeing critical initiatives such as restructures, acquisitions or product launches.
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Ensuring deadlines, budgets, and outcomes stay on track.
Essential Skills for a Chief of Staff
The chief of staff role demands a broader and more strategic skill set than executive assistants and other administrative support positions.
To succeed, you need to balance analytical, communication and emotional intelligence skills.
Strategic Thinking
One essential skill that separates EAs from chiefs of staff is the ability to see the bigger picture. You have to look beyond day-to-day tasks – every activity and decision should align with long-term business goals.
Strong Leadership
A chief of staff must be able to lead projects and influence people without being overly authoritative. You use persuasion, diplomacy and collaboration to achieve results, rather than hierarchy.
Project Management
Managing multiple priorities at once is central to the role. Chiefs of staff are expected to oversee complex projects, ensure deadlines are met, and keep cross-functional teams moving in the same direction.
Effective Communication
Whether drafting reports or presenting to the board, a chief of staff must communicate with clarity and confidence. Strong written and verbal skills allow you to simplify complex information and keep stakeholders aligned.
Business Acumen
A chief of staff must understand how the organisation makes money and what drives performance. This includes strong commercial awareness as well as numerical skills to support budgeting, financial analysis and forecasting.
Reliable and Trustworthy
As the executive’s trusted partner, you will handle highly sensitive information. Maintaining confidentiality and demonstrating discretion at all times are essential for building and keeping the confidence of senior leaders.
Adaptability and Resilience
No two days as a chief of staff are the same. You need to stay calm under pressure, adapt quickly to changing priorities and remain focused even in the most demanding or ambiguous situations.
These skills are what transform a good executive assistant into an indispensable strategic partner.
Chief of Staff Job Qualifications
The requirements for the chief of staff role vary depending on the company. But as a recruiter working with multiple clients, I’ve seen a clear pattern in what most employers look for when hiring for this position:
Relevant Work Experience
Experience is often the deciding factor. Employers value candidates who have already demonstrated success in executive support, operations, consulting or project management.
A strong track record of managing projects, working across departments and supporting senior leaders is required.
Educational Background
While not always essential, most employers prefer candidates with an undergraduate degree in business, economics, politics or management.
Having postgraduate qualifications, such as an MBA, can also be beneficial for those looking to secure roles in larger corporations.
Professional Certifications
Additional certifications help demonstrate your credibility and practical expertise.
Project management qualifications such as PRINCE2, PMP, or Agile are highly regarded, as are process improvement certifications like Lean Six Sigma. Finance and leadership courses can also strengthen your profile.
Typical Career Pathways to Chief of Staff
The journey to becoming a chief of staff is rarely linear.
Some people start from an entry-level position before climbing the corporate ladder. Others take a more unconventional approach, moving into the role from consulting, government, or even a CEO at a smaller organisation.
While the path differs from person to person, what matters most is developing strong leadership and communication skills and demonstrating the ability to operate effectively alongside senior executives.
Here are some of the most common entry points:
Analyst
Data analysts often possess strong analytical and problem-solving skills. This helps them understand data-driven decision-making and organisational performance, both of which are valuable when advising senior leadership.
Project Manager
Starting in a role like project manager gives you essential experience in managing teams, tasks and resources. These skills build the foundation for the cross-functional oversight and strategic execution required of a chief of staff.
Executive Assistant
Working directly with senior leaders as an EA means learning how to make decisions and run a company. Many chiefs of staff start here, building trust and proving their ability to manage more than just administration.
Office Manager
Office manager duties include overseeing administration, managing resources, and supervising staff. This operational knowledge, combined with people management skills, can provide a strong foundation for moving into a more strategic chief of staff role.
Consultant
Consultants often transition into chief of staff positions because of their exposure to multiple industries, business models and strategic challenges. Their problem-solving ability and broad perspective make them attractive candidates for executives seeking a trusted advisor.
How to Land a Chief of Staff Job
Breaking into a chief of staff role requires more than ambition. You need to actively position yourself as someone who can operate at an executive level.
Here are some key steps to take:
1. Strengthen Your Profile
Make sure your CV reflects more than administrative skills. Highlight projects where you successfully influence strategy, manage cross-functional teams or support high-level decision-making.
Consider pursuing additional qualifications such as an MBA, project management certification or finance training to demonstrate breadth of expertise.
2. Gain More Relevant Experience
Some employers believe that professional experience trumps formal education, especially for a role as hands-on as chief of staff.
If you are currently an EA, look for opportunities to take on responsibilities beyond administration, such as:
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Leading cross-department projects
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Preparing strategic reports
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Supporting board-level initiatives
You can also explore temporary chief of staff positions to gain first-hand experience and bolster your resume for a future permanent role.
3. Network Strategically
Many opportunities are filled through recommendations or personal introductions rather than job boards. Building relationships with executives, mentors, and peers can help you gain visibility and be considered when the right opening arises.
Consider joining professional associations or communities to broaden your reach and network, such as the CSA and the CoSC.
Attending industry events and engaging with thought leaders on platforms like LinkedIn can also position you as someone serious about stepping into a strategic role.
4. Build Relationships with Recruitment Agencies
Recruitment agencies can be invaluable in helping you make the leap into a chief of staff role.
Look for agencies that specialise in chief of staff placements like Oriel Partners. We’re working closely with senior executives and high-profile organisations, often sourcing for chief of staff positions that are not publicly advertised.
By maintaining a close relationship with recruiters, you’ll gain access to exclusive opportunities and tailored advice on how to present yourself as a strong candidate.
The Rewards and Challenges of Being a Chief of Staff
The chief of staff role can be one of the most rewarding positions in business, but it also comes with unique pressures.
Understanding both sides is key to deciding if it’s the right career move for you.
The Rewards
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Direct impact on leadership: You’ll work closely with executives, influencing key decisions and ensuring strategy is delivered.
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Broad business exposure: Few roles offer such a complete view of how a company operates, from board-level strategy to frontline execution.
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Career acceleration: The skills and experience gained as a chief of staff often serve as a launchpad to senior leadership roles such as COO, head of strategy or director-level positions.
The Challenges
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High expectations: You are expected to deliver flawlessly, often with limited guidance and under pressure.
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Ambiguity: The role is not always clearly defined, and responsibilities can shift rapidly depending on the executive’s needs.
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Emotional demands: Acting as a confidant means dealing with sensitive issues and sometimes absorbing executive stress.
The best chiefs of staff thrive by embracing both sides: they see the challenges as opportunities to grow and the rewards as proof of the trust they’ve earned at the highest level of business.
How Much Do Chiefs of Staff Earn?
According to our recent salary survey, chief of staff professionals in London make around £110,000 annually.
However, the exact figure will depend on your experience level, location and scope of responsibilities. Junior chiefs of staff typically earn £80,000 per year, while those with more experience can command £165,000 per year or more.
In larger companies and multinational enterprises, packages may be higher and include performance-based bonuses or equity.
Interested in Becoming a Chief of Staff?
The chief of staff role is one of the most exciting and rewarding career moves for ambitious EAs and senior support professionals. It offers the chance to step into a strategic position, work closely with leadership and shape the future of an organisation.
If you’re ready to take the next step, explore our latest chief of staff vacancies here.
