Within a company or organization, a chief of staff is an executive-level employee who supports the chief executive officer ([CEO](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-a-ceo)), chief operating officer ([COO](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-a-coo)), and other top-level executives. A chief of staff typically supervises and <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/robin-robertss-tips-for-effective-communication' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/robin-robertss-tips-for-effective-communication","linkCopy":"communicates","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>communicates</a> with lower-level staff members, providing [project management](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/project-management-guide), and implementing strategic planning processes.

Historically associated with the military and politics, in recent years, [startup](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-a-startup) companies have added chief of staff (CoS) positions to provide additional support to their leadership teams.
In addition to supporting the executive team, the chief of staff often works as the right-hand advisor, sounding board, and gatekeeper to the CEO and possesses in-depth knowledge of daily operations. Duties and responibilities of the chief of staff include:

1. __Communication liaison__: You are responsible for relaying information between executive team members and other staff members. The chief of staff attends board meetings, provides an overall picture of productivity to executives and stakeholders, and then transmits information to the department heads.
2. __Consultation__: As chief of staff, you provide data analysis and metrics of the company’s productivity to the executive team, then suggest strategic initiatives to improve workflow, teamwork, and budget management.
3. __Measure team performance__: In your CoS management role, you’re responsible for determining performance indicators for the company, then delivering those metrics to board members.
4. __Oversee daily operations__: Your chief of staff role includes working on the everyday action items that executive team members do not have time to carry out, such as working with department leaders on project coordination and business administration.
5. __Prioritize tasks__: Part of your job description includes assisting the CEO with scheduling to make the most of their limited time. You may schedule meetings and travel or delegate those duties to an executive assistant.
6. __Problem-solving__: As chief of staff, you wield decision-making power to identify employee issues and provide workable solutions, then communicate only the pertinent details to the executive team and board members, who may or may not follow up with additional direction. 
7. __Project assessment and facilitation__: Whenever the CEO or board members execute a new initiative or special project, you’ll assess the risk, cost, and work required to achieve it, then facilitate and oversee the enterprise to completion.
The career path to a chief of staff position requires both prior experience and a background in business. The skills and qualifications you might find on a CoS job description include:

- __Higher education__: At the very least, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree, though many human resource departments prefer a master’s degree in business administration or a related field such as finance or economics.
- __Interpersonal skills__: As the link between the leadership team and the rest of the staff, you’ll need excellent communication skills. [Emotional intelligence](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-develop-your-emotional-intelligence) and diplomacy go a long way when transmitting directives from one department to another.
- __Leadership experience__: The CoS role requires several years of prior experience in a business or executive management position, specifically overseeing multiple departments with an emphasis on communication, problem-solving, and [leadership skills](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/leadership-skills-explained).
- __Project management experience__: Planning, overseeing, and implementing strategic initiatives requires experience with project coordination, budget management, data analysis, and strong decision-making skills.
[MasterClass at Work](https://www.masterclass.com/for-business) is the learning platform to help unlock the full potential of your employees and inspire a learning lifestyle in everyone. From negotiation to mindfulness to baking—these are just a few things your teams can explore.
If you enjoy managing projects, problem-solving, advising your boss, and overseeing multiple departments, the chief of staff job might be right for you. Read on to discover what a chief of staff does day to day.

If you enjoy managing projects, problem-solving, advising your boss, and overseeing multiple departments, the chief of staff job might be right for you. Read on to discover what a chief of staff does day to day.

What Does a Chief of Staff Do? Job Description and Duties

Within a company or organization, a chief of staff is an executive-level employee who supports the chief executive officer (<a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-a-ceo' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-a-ceo","linkCopy":"CEO","category":null}'>CEO</a>), chief operating officer (<a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-a-coo' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-a-coo","linkCopy":"COO","category":null}'>COO</a>), and other top-level executives. A chief of staff typically supervises and <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/robin-robertss-tips-for-effective-communication' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/robin-robertss-tips-for-effective-communication","linkCopy":"communicates","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>communicates</a> with lower-level staff members, providing <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/project-management-guide' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/project-management-guide","linkCopy":"project management","category":null}'>project management</a>, and implementing strategic planning processes.Historically associated with the military and politics, in recent years, <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-a-startup' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-a-startup","linkCopy":"startup","category":null}'>startup</a> companies have added chief of staff (CoS) positions to provide additional support to their leadership teams.

What Is a Chief of Staff?

In addition to supporting the executive team, the chief of staff often works as the right-hand advisor, sounding board, and gatekeeper to the CEO and possesses in-depth knowledge of daily operations. Duties and responibilities of the chief of staff include:<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Communication liaison: You are responsible for relaying information between executive team members and other staff members. The chief of staff attends board meetings, provides an overall picture of productivity to executives and stakeholders, and then transmits information to the department heads. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Consultation: As chief of staff, you provide data analysis and metrics of the company’s productivity to the executive team, then suggest strategic initiatives to improve workflow, teamwork, and budget management. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Measure team performance: In your CoS management role, you’re responsible for determining performance indicators for the company, then delivering those metrics to board members. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Oversee daily operations: Your chief of staff role includes working on the everyday action items that executive team members do not have time to carry out, such as working with department leaders on project coordination and business administration. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 5. Prioritize tasks: Part of your job description includes assisting the CEO with scheduling to make the most of their limited time. You may schedule meetings and travel or delegate those duties to an executive assistant. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 6. Problem-solving: As chief of staff, you wield decision-making power to identify employee issues and provide workable solutions, then communicate only the pertinent details to the executive team and board members, who may or may not follow up with additional direction. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 7. Project assessment and facilitation: Whenever the CEO or board members execute a new initiative or special project, you’ll assess the risk, cost, and work required to achieve it, then facilitate and oversee the enterprise to completion. </li></ol>

What Does a Chief of Staff Do? 7 Duties and Responsibilities

The career path to a chief of staff position requires both prior experience and a background in business. The skills and qualifications you might find on a CoS job description include:<ul class="mc-m-4 list-styled"><li class="">Higher education: At the very least, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree, though many human resource departments prefer a master’s degree in business administration or a related field such as finance or economics. </li><li class="">Interpersonal skills: As the link between the leadership team and the rest of the staff, you’ll need excellent communication skills. <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-develop-your-emotional-intelligence' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-develop-your-emotional-intelligence","linkCopy":"Emotional intelligence","category":null}'>Emotional intelligence</a> and diplomacy go a long way when transmitting directives from one department to another. </li><li class="">Leadership experience: The CoS role requires several years of prior experience in a business or executive management position, specifically overseeing multiple departments with an emphasis on communication, problem-solving, and <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/leadership-skills-explained' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/leadership-skills-explained","linkCopy":"leadership skills","category":null}'>leadership skills</a>. </li><li class="">Project management experience: Planning, overseeing, and implementing strategic initiatives requires experience with project coordination, budget management, data analysis, and strong decision-making skills. </li></ul>

Chief of Staff Skills and Qualifications 

<a href='https://www.masterclass.com/for-business' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/for-business","linkCopy":"MasterClass at Work","category":null}'>MasterClass at Work</a> is the learning platform to help unlock the full potential of your employees and inspire a learning lifestyle in everyone. From negotiation to mindfulness to baking—these are just a few things your teams can explore.

MasterClass at Work

If you enjoy managing projects, problem-solving, advising your boss, and overseeing multiple departments, the chief of staff job might be right for you. Read on to discover what a chief of staff does day to day.

If you enjoy managing projects, problem-solving, advising your boss, and overseeing multiple departments, the chief of staff job might be right for you. Read on to discover what a chief of staff does day to day.
