What does a Chief of Staff do?

A Chief of Staff acts as a force multiplier for a company's leader, driving top priorities, running the operating cadence, and closing gaps that no single function owns. They structure hard problems, prepare leadership decisions and communications, and keep the executive team aligned and executing.

What are the main responsibilities of a Chief of Staff?

The core duties are driving the CEO's cross-functional priorities, running the company's planning and meeting rhythm, and preparing analysis and communication for leadership. Many also track OKRs, prepare board and all-hands content, and lead interim projects where there is no obvious owner.

What skills does a Chief of Staff need?

This role rewards strategic thinking, strong project management, and the judgment to structure ambiguous problems into clear recommendations. Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and discretion with sensitive information are essential given the proximity to leadership.

What should a Chief of Staff job description include?

A strong Chief of Staff job description clarifies who the role supports, the scope of initiatives it owns, and the operating cadence it runs. Because the role varies widely, it should be explicit about priorities, decision rights, and how success is measured.

Who does a Chief of Staff work with?

A Chief of Staff works most closely with the CEO or founder and the executive team, and coordinates across nearly every function to drive priorities. They also interface with the board, department leads, and external partners on behalf of leadership.

Leadership

Chief of Staff Job Description

Chief Technology Officer VP of Engineering CEO COO CMO Chief Product Officer VP of Product VP of Marketing Managing Director

About the role

We are hiring a Chief of Staff to work directly alongside our CEO and leadership team as a trusted operator and thought partner. You will run the company's planning and meeting cadence, drive the highest-priority cross-functional initiatives, and prepare the analysis and communication that keep leadership aligned and moving fast. This role fits a sharp, low-ego generalist who thrives on ambiguity and gets satisfaction from making the whole organization run better.

Key responsibilities

Drive the CEO's top cross-functional priorities to completion
Run the company operating rhythm and leadership cadence
Prepare decisions, analysis, and communication for leadership

Responsibilities

Manage the leadership operating rhythm, from weekly staff meetings to quarterly planning
Drive the CEO's highest-priority initiatives end to end across multiple functions
Prepare board decks, all-hands content, and executive communications
Structure ambiguous problems, run the analysis, and bring options with a recommendation
Track company OKRs and goals, chasing progress and surfacing risks early
Prepare the CEO for key meetings with briefs, agendas, and follow-up tracking
Facilitate decision-making by capturing decisions, owners, and deadlines
Fill temporary gaps in the org, standing up new functions or leading interim projects
Coordinate cross-functional programs where no single leader owns the outcome
Act as a trusted sounding board and protect the CEO's time and focus

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in business, economics, or a related field; MBA a plus
6 or more years in consulting, operations, strategy, or a similar cross-functional role
Proven experience leading complex projects across multiple teams
Exceptional written and verbal communication and executive presence
Demonstrated sound judgment and discretion handling confidential information

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