What are your thoughts on Chief of Staff roles?
What are your thoughts on Chief of Staff roles?
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Depends on your rapport with the chief. If it's great and they trust you, it's a great role. If they're a psycho and overbearing, you'll feel like a day 1 analyst working for your partner who wants you to do an rfp on your own.
You'll get an idea of the weight and responsibilities when you see how it's leveled in the org. If it's the same level as an FP&A Manager, than you get an idea of the work - not much more than a really sharp admin who can also prep a slide and follow up on less critical topics. If it's an SVP or EVP level (non-Fin), than it's likely you'll be a technical delegate, partner on strategy setting, and actually sway the direction of the org.
Another way to understand the role is to find out the career path. Will you be able to exit to Chief position? Eventually carry P&L?
I am in a chief of staff role now. I generally agree with all the comments here: Pros: Building relationships with top leaders, getting a high level view of the business and corporate strategy and the opportunity to influence decisions. Cons: you are in the shadow of an exec and you don’t actually own a P&L, it can feel lonely to not have peers (your team is basically very senior execs and their EAs), and some job responsibilities may actually make you feel like a glorified secretary. Overall I think this is a great learning opportunity for an aspiring leader, but it‘s more of a stepping stone than a long term role. It’s important to think about how you can use this experience and the relationships you build to enable your longer term career goals.
A clear sign a company has way too much bureaucracy. A big red flag IMO.
Startups use that title to avoid having another “C level” title for things they don’t prioritize at startup phase such as strategy or operations.
Curious as well. Deloitte has this role, and in my experience it’s related to leadership of our service offerings (two I knew for Google Cloud and ServiceNow). They helped leadership grow the offering.
Currently in a chief of staff role !
Pros - amazing exposure to corporate strategy and senior leadership, influence on decisions way beyond my years of experience, and great to build your network with true leaders in the industry
Cons- you have to own your career progression as there is no obvious next step
Other factors - relationship with your leader is the most important attribute, becoming their thought partner and confidante is key, good exit opportunities if you can package your experience in the right way
Was a manager in consulting before being tapped for an internal CoS role for a very senior leader
I have not experienced one, but from what I have heard they can be both BS and a great path into leadership. They do provide a good opportunity to see the work of the leadership team you are a chief of staff for and allow you to build good relationships with that team. On the other hand, you may not have P&L, you are likely in a team with lots of bureaucracy, your role may be seen as a bit unnecessary if you don’t have P&L, and it can be extremely political.
Really really varies. It’s a catch all kinda role.
💯 dependent on who you work for. You will be tied at the hip and at their beck & call. If you don’t jive with them it will be miserable.
Worked in CoS role for 5 years until partner retired. He screwed me when he left because he failed to mention all I did to his replacement- assumed the new person new, because it was so ingrained in him. I made him look good on a daily basis and launched everything “he did” and he failed to recognize that it was me actually doing the work, not him.
Mentor
I’ve been interviewing for these roles. Difficult to get unless your ex big three. They can have different flavors depending on what executive you’re reporting to
Subject Expert
At a top startup, can be life changing experience - FaceTime with investors, deciding high level company strategy, being the face for CEO/CTO, etc