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They’re the glorified personal assistant of the CEO. They have to organize and prioritize all information, activities, etc for the CEO.
Subject Expert
You know the current CMO of Microsoft was Bill Gates’ speechwriter? At the end of the day, there’s no one way to get up the ladder and you shouldn’t assume any role is less important based on what it sounds like
It varies. I’ve seen it go anywhere from very seasoned executive -next in line- type of thing... down to junior person (1-3 years out of undergrad) with some banking or consulting experience. The work complexity aligns accordingly.
Mentor
Chief of Staff roles can have some administrative elements but in general they tend to be strategic positions for the executive. Typically executives pass some of the lower level tasks to the CoS and s/he can be a sparring partner in terms of creating and implementing a vision for the LoB.
Take a look at the job descriptions they often ask for several years of experience in consulting and leading strategic initiatives to be a real value add for the executive.
Its more than that - its a person who if he/she agrees with you that means that you will have 70% agreement/buy in
Glorified, high ranking secretary
Mentor
It really depends, so have a conversation with the hiring team.
It could be running operations for the company, setting targets/OKRs, managing all hands, etc.
It could be directing strategy and helping the CEO and company prioritize initiatives.
It could also be special projects - building a new business line, new part of the org.
Or, all of the above! But talk to the company to find out the specifics.
They also generally run All Hands meetings, staffing, pipeline/opportunities, first point of contact should you need anything from the CEO (internal and external (sometimes)). Very critical political role for access to the CEO.
The range is right. Don't assume "glorified secretary" until you know for sure or risk getting burned
When you can't get your meeting with the CEO you hit up the chief of staff.
Subject Expert
As everyone already stated, it depends. I can say at Microsoft it’s definitely not a glorified assistant role. CoS for CVPs manage RoB activities, work on strategic initiatives, head org communications, act as a decision maker for 50%+ of the items that go to their CVPs desk, etc. Its not a role people here do for more than 2-3 years but often it’s seen as a way to accelerate your career here/pivot to a new space. You learn a ton and get great exposure
Coach
It’s a relic of the past - when IBM was big! COS was a meaningful role and a path to greater things. Not so much now (with rare exceptions). Some clients say, “it’s a stopping point for a junior woodchuck”.
It’s the new accessory to have for every west coast tech CEO.
Having spoken to a few CoS lately. It definitely ranges from assistant to strategic thought partner. One word of advice from my most recent call was don’t take a CoS job where they don’t already have an admin. The upside to the role seems to be a lot of flexibility/range of things to do and potential career accelerant. The downside flexibility = little formal authority and more nebulous growth.
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/primechiefofstaff_the-case-for-a-chief-of-staff-activity-6656659921146261504-Vgml
It depends but I have seen a COO of the city move into COS role for president of top 10 uni. The role is defined but who the leader you support. I would say the COS role should be be administrative in nature but the leader could misuse the role that way
Varies by organization. Some are glorified secretaries while others are essentially their right hand / responsible for executing strategies. I’ve seen those in the later example go on to VP roles after 1 or 2 yrs post CoS
It really depends. I thought this article covered it nicely: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/07/style/what-does-a-chief-of-staff-do.html?referringSource=articleShare
Glorified executive assistant.