Chief of Staff Job Description

A chief of staff (CoS) plays a vital role in ensuring the smooth day-to-day operations of a company. Hiring a chief of staff allows senior leaders to focus on strategy, while the CoS manages execution and cross-departmental coordination.

The chief of staff position is highly in demand, but there’s only a handful of qualified talent out there. So, if you want to attract the right candidates, your job description should clearly define what you expect from them and what your company can offer in return.

Chief of Staff Job Description Sample

A chief of staff is a highly skilled professional who acts as the right-hand to senior executives, often working closely with the CEO or other members of the C-Suite. They provide oversight across multiple business areas, lead key strategic initiatives and ensure decisions are translated into measurable actions. A good chief of staff candidate should have strong analytical skills, be an excellent communicator and possess exceptional people management skills.

Chief of Staff Responsibilities & Duties

Here are some of the most common chief of staff responsibilities:

Strategic Planning & Execution

• Supporting the CEO or executive team in developing and implementing strategic priorities.

• Translating high-level vision into actionable goals and KPIs.

• Tracking progress and ensuring accountability across departments.

Operations & Project Management

• Overseeing day-to-day operations and ensuring efficiency across functions.

• Leading cross-departmental projects and resolving bottlenecks.

• Coordinating resources to deliver outcomes on time and within budget.

Executive Support & Advisory

• Acting as a trusted advisor to the CEO and senior leadership.

• Preparing briefing documents, board papers and presentations.

• Representing the CEO at meetings and functions that they cannot attend.

• Managing sensitive information and providing data-driven insights for decision-making.

Stakeholder Management

• Acting as a point of contact for board members, investors and key external partners.

• Building and maintaining strong relationships across internal teams.

• Representing the executive team in meetings when required.

Team Leadership & Development

• Managing or mentoring junior staff, EAs or project managers.

• Assisting human resources with the hiring and onboarding of new employees.

• Promoting a culture of collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement.

Communication & Alignment

• Ensuring consistent communication between leadership and wider teams.

• Drafting executive communications, internal updates and strategic announcements.

• Driving alignment across departments on business priorities.

Check out our guide to learn more about chief of staff duties.

Chief of Staff Skills, Requirements & Qualifications

The chief of staff role combines strategic thinking with operational expertise and leadership ability. Employers often look for the following:

Hard Skills

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace.

• Familiarity with project management tools, such as Asana, Monday.com and Trello.

• Experience in data analysis and finance for budget tracking and forecasting.

• Excellent report writing, presentation and communication skills.

Soft Skills

• Exceptional problem-solving ability with a solutions-focused mindset.

• Strong interpersonal skills, able to influence at senior levels.

• Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple complex priorities.

• Discreet and trustworthy, able to handle confidential information.

• Adaptability and resilience in a fast-paced, changing environment.

Requirements

• Proven track record in a senior operations, strategic or leadership role, preferably with 7+ years of experience.

• Strong business acumen with the ability to understand financial drivers, market dynamics and organisational priorities.

• Exceptional interpersonal skills to manage and lead teams across different departments.

• Demonstrated success in managing projects and cross-functional initiatives.

• Ability to work closely with executives and influence key stakeholders.

• High level of discretion and professionalism, with proven ability to handle sensitive and confidential information.

Qualifications

• Minimum: Bachelor’s degree in business administration, management, economics or a related field.

• Preferred: Previous experience in management consulting or a senior strategic role.

• Bonus: MBA or equivalent postgraduate qualification.

What Sets Top Chiefs of Staff Apart

The best Chiefs of Staff stand out by:

• Acting as an extension of senior leadership, representing them in meetings and making decisions on their behalf when appropriate.

• Driving alignment across departments to ensure strategic priorities are delivered efficiently.

• Anticipating challenges and proactively finding solutions before they escalate.

• Blending strategic oversight with hands-on operational support to keep the business moving forward.

Chief of Staff Benefits & Perks

Considering the importance of a chief of staff, this role often comes with competitive and attractive benefits packages. Typical perks may include:

Health & Wellness

• Private medical insurance, dental and vision care.

• Mental health support and employee assistance programmes.

• Wellness allowances or gym memberships.

Financial

• Competitive salary 

• Performance-related bonuses.

• Pension contributions.

• Company laptop, phone, and home office support.

Work-Life Balance

• Flexible hours and hybrid/remote working options.

• Annual leave and parental leave policies.

• Supportive company culture with regular team events.

Career Development

• Opportunities to step into senior leadership roles.

• Professional development, training, and mentorship.

• Exposure to board-level decision-making and strategic growth.

Chief of Staff Salary in the UK

Chief of staff salaries in the UK vary widely depending on location, experience, sector and company size. Based on our recent salary survey, the average annual salary for a chief of staff is around £110,000.

Junior Chiefs of Staff (0–3 years of experience) typically make £80,000 per year. Senior professionals (5+ years of experience) can earn £165,000 or more annually – especially in London and high-demand sectors like tech, finance and private equity.