Chief of Staff Job Description | Duties and Responsibilities

This guide on the Chief of Staff job description is optimized to help you create a convincing resume.

A chief of staff holds a vital position in an organization; you will be accountable for the growth and success of all departments and activities in an organization.

The position is very challenging as they perform many functions and must excel.

As a result of how vital the position is, employers are very strict when employing or appointing a chief of staff.

As such, applicants must do all possible to convince an employer that they are capable.

A perfect start is knowing and understanding the job description of a chief of staff and then creating a good resume.

Aside from knowing the job description and creating a good chief of staff resume, you also have to be good at the job.

What Does a Chief of Staff Do? 

A chief of staff oversees the daily activities of an organization. They manage and resolve problems without burdening the CEO. A chief of staff may also assist the CEO in developing company policies and business plans.

They perform a wide variety of activities, but, in general, their responsibility is to lead and organize the entire staff to ensure productivity.

Chief of Staff Duties and Responsibilities

A chief of staff wears many hats in an organization, but some of their typical duties and responsibilities are:

1. Coordinate business plans from inception to completion.

A chief of staff must handle a business plan from start to finish effectively.

Whenever projects are coordinated successfully, it is a huge plus to not just the company but the chief of staff.

2. Assist board members in decision-making and program planning, and management

During decision-making by the board members, the chief of staff assists.

They make sure that decisions that are profitable to the organization are made.

3. Relay information from staff to board members and the chief executive officer

The responsibility of a chief of staff also includes acting as a middleman between other staff and the CEO.

They pass information from the CEO to the head of the department and vice versa.

4. Organize monthly meetings with departmental heads

Every month, it is important for the CEO to meet with the head of departments to analyze the progress for the month.

The chief of staff assists the CEO with carrying out this function, except as stated otherwise by the CEO.

5. Compile information from all departmental reports into one company report

After monthly meetings with the heads of departments, the chief of staff receives a monthly report from them.

Those reports from various departments are then compiled into one company report.

Some other duties and responsibilities of a chief of staff are;

• Come up with innovative ideas on how to move the organization forward.
• Work with the head of departments to oversee daily activities.
• Create and maintain a good working relationship with staff to facilitate good working conditions.
• Carry out market research and analysis.
• Read and review reports from each department.
• Work with the human resources department during new recruitment.

However, depending on your employer and the sector and size of the firm, your duties may be more or less than these.

What Qualifications Do I Need to Become a Chief of Staff?

A bachelor’s degree in business management, administration, or other related fields is required.

Having a Master’s and doctorate (s) in business management or other related fields is advantageous but not mandatory.

To qualify for the job, most employers prefer those with a minimum of 5-7 years of experience in business management or any business leadership role.

Some other preferred qualification includes:

• Work experience in data analysis
• Proven Budget management skills and experience.
• Project management experience with reliable evidence.
• Excellent understanding of the use of the Microsoft office suite.

Considering how integral a chief of staff’s position is to an organization’s growth, there is little wonder why these qualifications are required.

What Skills and Personality Suit a Chief of Staff?

Considering the job description of a chief of staff and seeing that the role is very challenging, there are prerequisite skills a good chief of staff must possess.

Some of these skills and attributes that make a person stand out in the position are:

1. Leadership skills

The ability to effectively carry out all your duties and responsibilities as chief of staff greatly depends on your leadership skills.

A good chief of staff must be capable of being a good leader to other staff.

2. Communication skills

As a good chief of staff, you should be able to communicate verbally and in writing with other staff and the CEO.

3. Interpersonal skills

There is no better way to create a favorable working environment and conditions than building and maintaining a good working relationship with not the staff and board members.

4. Problem-solving skills

You should also be able to handle problems that may arise in work without involving the CEO except when necessary.

5. Multitasking skills

A good chief of staff should be able to handle more than one project at a time without reducing the standard of any.

When multitasking is not possible, prioritize your activities, giving preference to more critical tasks.

6. Good emotional intelligence

A good chief of staff must possess vital emotional intelligence and learn to put this attribute to play when working with others.

Where Do Chiefs of Staff Work?

Almost every large firm or organization requires the services of a chief of staff.

However, some of the typical employers of chiefs of staff include:

• Banks
• Manufacturing companies
• Logistic companies
• Government organizations
• Private companies 

How Much Do Chiefs of Staff Make?

Your pay as a chief of staff depends on your location, employer, and the size and sector of your firm.

According to Indeed, the average salary of a chief of staff in the United States is about $122,638 per year.

Aside from your geographical location and employers, your salary may also be dependent on the years of experience you have as well as your level of qualification.

What Should I Include in My Chief of Staff Resume?

Your resume should be able to convince any employer that you are good enough for the job.

Knowing and understanding the job description of a chief of staff is a good start-up.

When creating a resume, here are some things you should consider including:

• Skills
• Qualification
• Experience

Often, people are confused about including their areas of weakness in their resumes.

You may be asked during the interview whether you include it or not.

Is it Good to Include My Weaknesses in My Resume?

As I already stated, in some interviews, you will be asked about your areas of weakness.

The truth is, even your employers know that you can’t be 100% perfect.

But how do you talk about your weakness without disqualifying yourself? Especially when seeking a position as important as chief of staff.

Here are some weaknesses you can admit to, according to indeed.

1. I give too much attention to details

Attention to detail is an important skill for any job, but overdoing anything may become a weakness.

When you tell your interviewer that you are too given to details, which is supposed to be a weakness, you indirectly tell him or her that you avoid mistakes or errors as much as possible because you don’t overlook anything.

2. I find it difficult to let go of a project until it’s complete

During an Interview, if you are asked about your weakness, and you say this, you can explain further briefly by saying this

”Whenever I have invested time and effort in a project until it is completed, I find it difficult to let go. I love finishing what I start.”

Some other weaknesses you could include are:

• I hate it when I don’t meet up with deadlines.
• I find it hard to say no.
• Sometimes, I find it difficult to balance work and my personal life because I love my career so much.

Who Does a Chief of Staff Report to?

In some organizations, chiefs of the staff report directly to the Chief executive officer. In other organizations, they report to the executives.

Oftentimes, the chief of staff is the right-hand man of the CEO; therefore, in most organizations, they report directly to the CEO.

What is Another Title for Chief of Staff?

Sometimes, a chief of staff may also be called a chief operating officer (COO)

Therefore, if your organization doesn’t use a chief of staff, the COO will be used in its stead.

Why Does a CEO Need a Chief of Staff?

There are so many reasons why a CEO may need the services of a chief of staff.

Firstly, most CEOs have minimal time to carry out all their activities. As a result, they may not be able to handle everything effectively.

Employing a chief of staff that can carry out some tasks on the CEO’s behalf gives the CEO time to focus on more important things.

Secondly, the owner of a full firm may not be satisfied with the turnout of events in the firm.

As a result, the owner may see the need to employ a chief of staff to oversee the activities of departmental heads for optimum results.

Lastly, the firm may grow more extensively, and with growth comes new responsibilities, such as implementing bigger business plans.

The company owner may then see the need for the services of the chief of staff.

Chief of Staff Job Description Guide Summary

Apart from knowing the job description of a chief of staff, if you are seeking such a position, you should also know that it may be stressful and demanding.

A chief of staff plays a very vital role in any organization. As such, the organization’s growth may depend on how efficiently it works; you can either make or break an organization.

Most of your working hours will be spent in an office, and you should have regular working hours in most organizations.

Other job descriptions:

• Operations manager
• Secretary
• Office manager
• Project manager
• Program manager

References:

• Indeed
• Bridge span
• LinkedIn

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