What Does a Chief of Staff Do?
A chief of staff serves as the strategic right hand to a company’s top executive, typically the CEO, COO, or department head. This role is responsible for amplifying executive effectiveness by managing key initiatives, facilitating internal communication, and aligning organizational priorities. Chiefs of staff ensure the executive’s time and energy are directed toward high-impact activities while handling everything from meeting preparation to cross-departmental coordination.
Often acting as a trusted advisor, a chief of staff plays a hybrid role that blends operations, strategy, project management, and leadership support. The position requires strong business acumen, exceptional communication skills, and a firm grasp of organizational dynamics. Chiefs of staff don’t just support strategy, they help shape and drive it.
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Chief of Staff Core Responsibilities
- Serve as a strategic advisor to executive leadership, helping prioritize initiatives and manage competing demands
- Lead or support key cross-functional projects to ensure alignment with organizational goals
- Coordinate internal communications, preparing briefings, updates, and stakeholder messages
- Act as a liaison between executives and department heads, fostering collaboration and streamlining workflows
- Prepare executive reports, presentations, and documentation to support decision-making
- Manage the executive’s schedule and facilitate time management for optimal productivity
- Conduct research and provide recommendations on business challenges, operational improvements, or strategic opportunities
- Ensure alignment across departments by tracking progress on major initiatives and maintaining accountability
Required Skills and Qualifications
Hard skills
- Strategic project management
- Business and financial analysis
- Executive-level communication and presentation development
- Workflow optimization and operations strategy
- Knowledge of corporate governance and compliance
- Proficiency with productivity tools like Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and project management platforms
Soft skills
- High emotional intelligence and discretion
- Organizational agility and executive presence
- Problem-solving mindset
- Leadership without authority
- Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills
- Ability to adapt to changing priorities
Educational requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in business administration, management, public policy, or a related field
- Master of Business Administration (MBA) or equivalent advanced degree preferred
Certifications
This role does not typically require certifications, though certifications in project management (e.g., PMP) or strategic leadership can be advantageous.
Preferred Qualifications
- Prior experience working closely with C-level executives
- Background in consulting, operations, or corporate strategy
- Experience leading cross-functional teams or enterprise-wide initiatives
- Familiarity with industry-specific compliance or regulatory requirements
- Professional writing or communications background, especially in executive communications
National Average Salary
Chief of staff salaries vary by experience, industry, organization size, and geography. Click below to explore salaries by local market.
The average national salary for a Chief of Staff is:
$125,630
Sample Job Description Templates for Chiefs of Staff
Corporate Chief of Staff
Position Overview
The Corporate Chief of Staff acts as a strategic extension of executive leadership, streamlining enterprise operations and aligning organizational priorities. This role is critical in enhancing C-suite effectiveness, driving key initiatives, and managing internal communications across departments.
Responsibilities
- Partner with executives to prioritize business initiatives and ensure timely execution
- Serve as a communication bridge between senior leaders, department heads, and stakeholders
- Lead strategic planning sessions and monitor organizational performance metrics
- Manage board materials and executive reporting processes
- Oversee preparation for leadership meetings and investor presentations
- Facilitate enterprise-wide alignment on key decisions and organizational objectives
Requirements
Hard skills
- Strategic planning and project execution
- Business performance reporting
- Executive communication and stakeholder management
- Familiarity with enterprise tools (e.g., Microsoft 365, Asana, Salesforce)
Soft skills
- Executive presence and professionalism
- Highly organized with excellent time management
- Discretion and sound judgment
- Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, or related field
- MBA or similar graduate degree preferred
Government Chief of Staff
Position Overview
The Government Chief of Staff provides operational leadership and strategic counsel to elected officials or agency leaders. This role oversees legislative coordination, policy development, and public communication while managing internal teams and external stakeholders.
Responsibilities
- Coordinate policy initiatives, legislative strategy, and constituent outreach
- Act as a key liaison between agency leadership, legislative staff, and government bodies
- Oversee the development of public statements, press releases, and official communications
- Manage team operations including scheduling, budget adherence, and staff workflow
- Ensure compliance with ethical, legal, and public governance standards
Requirements
Hard skills
- Knowledge of legislative and governmental processes
- Policy research and political strategy
- Budgeting and staff management
- Public affairs and media coordination
Soft skills
- Political savvy and diplomacy
- Excellent writing and public speaking skills
- Ability to navigate bureaucracy and conflicting agendas
- Crisis management and discretion
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in public administration, political science, or law
- Advanced degree (e.g., MPA, JD) often preferred
Startup Chief of Staff
Position Overview
The Startup Chief of Staff is a dynamic operator who supports founders by managing operations, aligning departments, and accelerating company growth. This role spans strategic planning, team building, fundraising support, and execution of core business priorities.
Responsibilities
- Collaborate with the CEO to translate vision into action plans
- Manage operations across HR, finance, and customer experience functions
- Lead investor communications and due diligence efforts
- Build scalable processes and KPIs for rapid growth
- Serve as interim leader or cross-functional manager where needed
Requirements
Hard skills
- Operations and business modeling
- Financial planning and pitch preparation
- Project and process management
- Proficiency with startup tools (e.g., Notion, Slack, Airtable)
Soft skills
- High adaptability and resourcefulness
- Entrepreneurial mindset and drive
- Effective multitasking in a fast-paced environment
- Team leadership and motivational influence
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in business, economics, or similar
- MBA or equivalent startup experience preferred
Nonprofit Chief of Staff
Position Overview
The Nonprofit Chief of Staff works alongside the Executive Director to align mission-driven initiatives with operational excellence. This position manages strategic planning, board relations, and donor coordination while ensuring programs run efficiently.
Responsibilities
- Align organizational activities with mission and strategic goals
- Coordinate with the board of directors, donors, and community stakeholders
- Support fundraising and grant management efforts
- Oversee operational functions such as HR, finance, and compliance
- Develop internal processes to measure impact and efficiency
Requirements
Hard skills
- Grant writing and budget management
- Fundraising and donor relations
- Nonprofit compliance and reporting standards
- Strategic operations and team leadership
Soft skills
- Mission-driven communication style
- Strong ethical standards and integrity
- Empathy and collaborative spirit
- Capacity to juggle varied responsibilities
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, public policy, or related field
- Master’s degree (e.g., MPA or nonprofit leadership) preferred
Healthcare Chief of Staff
Position Overview
The Healthcare Chief of Staff supports clinical or administrative leadership in streamlining hospital or system-wide operations. They ensure compliance, drive efficiency, and coordinate initiatives that improve patient care and provider satisfaction.
Responsibilities
- Support health system executives with strategic initiatives and operational planning
- Lead coordination across clinical, administrative, and operational departments
- Oversee performance tracking for quality, safety, and efficiency benchmarks
- Ensure adherence to HIPAA and healthcare regulatory standards
- Facilitate communication between executive leadership and medical staff
Requirements
Hard skills
- Knowledge of healthcare operations and compliance
- Familiarity with EHR systems and hospital reporting tools
- Regulatory awareness (HIPAA, CMS, Joint Commission)
- Data-driven analysis and performance management
Soft skills
- Clinical diplomacy and professional communication
- Operational foresight and planning
- Collaborative leadership across disciplines
- Strong problem-solving and delegation skills
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration, public health, or similar
- Master’s degree (e.g., MHA, MPH, MBA) strongly preferred
Certifications
- Certification in Healthcare Management (e.g., FACHE) is beneficial