Are you looking to become a Chief of Staff? It's a challenging yet rewarding career path that requires a combination of education, experience, and interpersonal skills. To become a Chief of Staff, you need to have a bachelor's degree and more than 10 years of experience in the corporate world. Many companies prefer job seekers with a master's degree in business administration (MBA) or a related field. You also need excellent interpersonal skills and several years of executive-level experience. The position of Chief of Staff is relatively new in the private sector and qualifications for the position vary from company to company.
Working well as part of a team is essential for success in this role, as you'll have to collaborate with other executives from all departments to implement the CEO's vision. Many Chief of Staff functions are rotating, meaning they have a new person in that position every two years. For those who want to leave the position, there are plenty of great options. Chiefs of Staff are in a unique position to see all the functions of an organization and often help in one or more areas. This gives them the chance to see what areas they have real interest or strength in.
Managers of staff can move on to almost any position, from chief operating officer to vice president of communications, chief financial officer and chief executive officer. Some even start their own companies. Any business degree can be beneficial for those aspiring to become a Chief of Staff, as it exposes you to many different areas that you can find in your position. It's also important to understand the role of the executive director, since you'll participate in the flow of information and will continue to handle the routine tasks that support the activities of the Chief of Staff. The most sophisticated Chiefs of Staff also help CEOs to think about and establish policies and to ensure that they are implemented. If you work in the government, the military, healthcare, or the tech industry, the position of Chief of Staff is probably nothing new to you.
If you are excellent at communication, leadership, and project management, then a career as Chief of Staff may be right for you. In general, focusing on communication, leadership, and project management is essential for any aspiring Chief of Staff. You'll need to be able to keep up with or even one step ahead of your director. As Chief of Staff, you'll work with the CEO and report directly to him, conveying messages and ideas from other senior executive leaders to improve the company's internal functions and processes. The need for a strategic business partner, a thinking partner, an advisor, and a collaborative leader in the form of a Chief of Staff isn't going away anytime soon. With the right education and experience, you can make your dream job come true.
