The Chief of Staff (COS)

When I first started out in recruitment, I was naively under the impression that a support role, such as an administrator or assistant position, was a stepping stone on a career journey. A stepping stone towards a senior position.

Fast Forward, 15 years. 15 years of recruiting some of the best EAs/ PAs, Office Managers, Team Assistants and Administrators in the world (well in my opinion). And how do I feel now about their career choice? That my first opinion was wrong......but also right. You see, we all evolve and progress. However, an assistant position is both an exciting and varied journey but also a dream destination.

Assistant positions come in all shapes and sizes. Some to support a team, so that the wheels of a business move. Others empower executives to drive their business’s forward. They span across operations, private & family, compliance, administration and more and vary greatly across different industries and company structures.

Interestingly, I have noticed over the years that more and more hybrid positions have started popping up and there’s one in particular that’s really got me excited.

The Chief of Staff (COS) role.

Often the right-hand person and thought partner to the CEO, the Chief of Staff often supports, steps in and relays information on their behalf. Alongside this the COS will also work on a multitude of projects across the business, helping with everything from setting up new offices abroad to systems roll outs. The COS uses their influence and power to lead from behind, supporting the CEO with their company mission.

Even more excitingly, they are being positioned as the next wave of C-suite executives themselves. The chief of staff role could be the role that finally gets talented assistants a seat in the boardroom.