Chief of Staff Job Description Template
Free, copy-paste ready Chief of Staff job description template. Customise for your company and attract top talent with a compelling, comprehensive JD.
Chief of Staff Job Description
ABOUT [COMPANY NAME]
[Brief company description - mission, stage, size, industry. 2-3 sentences that sell your company to candidates.]
THE ROLE
We are seeking an exceptional Chief of Staff to partner directly with our CEO. This is a high-impact role where you will serve as a strategic thought partner, operational leader, and trusted advisor to the executive team.
As Chief of Staff, you will drive critical initiatives, ensure organisational alignment, and act as a force multiplier for leadership. This role offers unparalleled exposure to all aspects of building and scaling a business.
REPORTING
Reports directly to: CEO
Location: [Location / Hybrid / Remote]
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Partner with the CEO to define and execute company strategy and priorities
- Lead high-priority, cross-functional initiatives from concept to completion
- Prepare board materials, investor updates, and executive communications
- Facilitate leadership team meetings and ensure follow-through on decisions
- Act as a trusted liaison between the CEO and internal/external stakeholders
- Identify operational bottlenecks and drive process improvements
- Manage special projects that don't fit neatly into existing team structures
- Support the CEO with meeting preparation, briefings, and follow-ups
- Build relationships across the organisation to enable effective execution
- Handle confidential and sensitive matters with absolute discretion
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- 5-10 years of professional experience in high-performance environments
- Background in management consulting, investment banking, or strategic operations
- Proven track record of leading cross-functional projects and driving results
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
- Strong analytical abilities with comfort in ambiguous, fast-paced situations
- Experience working directly with C-level executives
- Bachelor's degree required; MBA or equivalent advanced degree preferred
DESIRED (NOT REQUIRED)
- Experience at a top-tier consulting firm (McKinsey, BCG, Bain) or investment bank
- Prior Chief of Staff or similar executive support role experience
- Industry-specific expertise relevant to our sector
- Track record of building and leading small teams
- Financial modelling and business analysis capabilities
- Change management and organisational design experience
WHAT WE OFFER
- Competitive salary: [£XX,000 - £XX,000] based on experience
- [Equity/stock options package]
- Performance bonus: [X-X% of base]
- Private healthcare and pension
- Flexible working arrangements
- Learning & development budget
- Direct exposure to executive decision-making
- Clear path to senior leadership roles
WHY THIS ROLE?
The Chief of Staff position is widely recognised as one of the best career accelerators. You will gain:
- Unmatched visibility into how successful companies operate
- Direct mentorship from our CEO and leadership team
- A platform to develop skills across strategy, operations, and leadership
- A track record that opens doors to COO, VP, or founding roles
HOW TO APPLY
[Application instructions - email, link, or platform]
[Company Name] is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
Job Description by Company Type
Chief of Staff roles vary significantly by company stage. Here's how to tailor your JD:
Startup (Series A-C)
- • Significant equity (0.1-0.5%)
- • Direct CEO access daily
- • Broad scope, less defined role
Scale-up (Series D+)
- • Moderate equity package
- • May manage small team
- • More structured responsibilities
Enterprise (FTSE 100)
- • RSUs/bonus structure
- • Often part of Office of CEO
- • More political navigation required
Private Equity Portfolio
- • Potential carried interest
- • Multiple stakeholder reporting
- • High intensity, high reward
Tips for Writing a Great CoS Job Description
1. Be Specific About Scope
Vague job descriptions attract the wrong candidates. Define whether this is strategic (board prep, M&A) or operational (process building, project management) focused.
2. Include Salary Range
Roles without salary information get 50% fewer applications. Top candidates won't apply to roles where compensation is unclear.
3. Highlight Career Path
The best CoS candidates are ambitious. Show them what this role leads to - COO track, VP role, or executive leadership pathway.
4. Sell the CEO Relationship
The #1 factor for CoS candidates is who they'll work with. Highlight the CEO's background, leadership style, and what they can teach.
Need Help Hiring Your Chief of Staff?
Our specialist recruitment agency can help you find exceptional Chief of Staff candidates.