The Chief of Staff Role: Complete Guide
The Chief of Staff role has evolved from military origins to become one of the most sought-after positions in modern business. Here's everything you need to know about this unique role.
What is the Chief of Staff Role?
A Chief of Staff is a senior leader who works directly alongside an executive - typically the CEO - to drive strategic priorities, lead cross-functional initiatives, and ensure organisational alignment.
Think of them as a "force multiplier" - extending the executive's capacity to get things done without creating a bottleneck. They're not an assistant; they're a strategic partner with significant authority and responsibility.
Types of Chief of Staff Roles
Not all Chief of Staff roles are the same. Here are the main variations:
CEO Chief of Staff
The classic model - working directly with the CEO across all company functions
Divisional Chief of Staff
Supporting a C-suite executive other than the CEO (CFO, CTO, COO)
Office of the CEO
Part of a team supporting the CEO, often in larger enterprises
Founder's Chief of Staff
Supporting a founder in early-stage startups
Working with Fractional Executives
In scale-ups and growth-stage companies, Chiefs of Staff often work alongside fractional executives rather than full-time C-suite. This is particularly common with fractional CFOs for financial strategy and fundraising, or fractional CTOs for technical leadership. The CoS often serves as the connective tissue between these part-time executives and the wider organisation.
Why Companies Hire a Chief of Staff
The decision to hire a Chief of Staff is usually triggered by one of these situations:
CEO Bandwidth
The CEO is stretched thin and needs someone to extend their capacity without diluting their authority
Rapid Growth
Company is scaling fast and needs someone to ensure execution keeps pace with strategy
Cross-Functional Gaps
Important initiatives fall between departments with no natural owner
Strategic Projects
M&A, fundraising, or transformation projects need dedicated senior attention
Leadership Development
Creating a pipeline of future executives through the CoS rotation program
New CEO Transition
New CEO needs a trusted partner to accelerate their learning and impact
Evolution of the Chief of Staff Role
Military Origins
1800s-1900sChief of Staff role originated in military, managing operations and communications for commanding officers
Political Adoption
1900s-1970sWhite House Chief of Staff became prominent, managing executive office operations and access to the President
Early Corporate
1980s-2000sLarge corporations adopted the role for CEOs, primarily in traditional industries and consulting firms
Tech Boom
2010sSilicon Valley startups embraced CoS role, with high-profile examples at Google, Facebook, and Uber
Mainstream Adoption
2020sCoS role has become standard across industries, company sizes, and supporting various executives beyond CEO
Where Chiefs of Staff Go Next
The Chief of Staff role is a career accelerator. Here's where CoS professionals typically move after 2-4 years:
Chief Operating Officer
30%Natural progression to overseeing operations
VP / SVP Role
25%Leading a specific function (Strategy, Ops, Product)
General Manager
15%P&L ownership of a business unit or geography
Another CoS Role
15%Moving to larger company or different industry
Founder / CEO
10%Starting their own company
Board / Advisory
5%Portfolio of board seats and advisory roles
The Chief of Staff Role in the UK
The UK has seen explosive growth in Chief of Staff roles over the past decade. While the role originated in American tech companies, British businesses across all sectors now recognise the value of this position.
UK Market Highlights
- • 65% of FTSE 100 companies now have Chief of Staff roles
- • London accounts for 70% of UK CoS positions
- • Financial services, tech, and PE are the largest hiring sectors
- • Average UK CoS salary: £70,000 - £150,000 (London premium: +25%)
- • 3x growth in CoS job postings since 2019
Our Chief of Staff recruitment agency specialises in connecting UK companies with exceptional CoS talent, and helping candidates find their ideal role.
Explore Chief of Staff Opportunities
Whether you're looking to hire a Chief of Staff or become one, we can help.