Chief of Staff

Howett Thorpe; Godalming; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Howett Thorpe is seeking a Chief of Staff to enhance the CEO's effectiveness and drive strategic initiatives. The successful candidate will support decision-making, manage key priorities, and coordinate projects across various functions, ensuring seamless execution. Ideal candidates should have over 5 years' experience in leadership support or consulting, coupled with strong strategic thinking and interpersonal skills. Enjoy benefits like 25 days annual leave, life assurance, and a private pension scheme.

Benefits

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Life assurance

Annual bonus

Private pension scheme

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in management consulting, corporate strategy, business operations, or executive leadership support.
• Strong business acumen and ability to grasp complex technical and operational issues.
• Ability to work with senior stakeholders and manage sensitive information.

Responsibilities

• Support the CEO in driving strategic agenda and managing priorities.
• Lead or support cross-functional projects and ensure effective decision-making.
• Manage the CEO's calendar and ensure efficient communications.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Excellent communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Discretion and integrity

Proactive and adaptable

Job description

Our client is seeking a Chief of Staff to support the CEO in driving the company’s strategic agenda. This is a high-trust, high-impact role where you will support and manage the CEO’s priorities, enable effective decision-making, and ensure seamless execution across the business. You will work closely with senior leadership, be fully embedded in the organisation, and play a pivotal role in shaping how the business operates.

Chief of Staff – About The Role

As Chief of Staff, you will be the CEO’s right hand, balancing executive support with strategic insight. You will help translate direction into action, coordinate cross-functional projects, and ensure that priorities receive the attention they need. You will act as a trusted advisor, business partner, and proactive gatekeeper, enabling the CEO to focus on what matters most while driving operational excellence across the company.

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead or support cross-functional, high-priority projects and monitor key initiatives
• Prepare the CEO for internal and external meetings, capturing action items and ensuring follow-up
• Manage the CEO’s calendar, meetings, travel, and inbox efficiently
• Support board relations, including preparing reports, agendas, and coordinating inputs
• Be available on-call for urgent matters, particularly when the CEO is travelling
• Manage the CEO’s calendar
• Co-ordinate internal & external meetings, preparing agendas where appropriate with follow up action
• Proactively manage the CEO’s inbox, responding and resolving where necessary
• Organisation complex travel arrangement for both business and personal commitments
• Work side-by-side with the CEO in meetings, calls, and day-to-day operations, acting as a proxy where appropriate
• Assume responsibility for being the CEO’s “eyes and ears” across the business, connecting dots between teams and initiatives
• Manage access to the CEO’s time, information, and focus with discretion
• Develop a deep understanding of the business, its services, clients, and strategic priorities
• Translate CEO direction into actionable plans across teams and functions
• Prepare briefing documents, and support strategic decision-making

The successful Chief of Staff will have:

• 5+ years of experience in management consulting, corporate strategy, business operations, or executive leadership support, preferably within engineering, professional services, or a start-up environment
• Strong business acumen and strategic thinking, with the ability to quickly grasp complex technical and operational issues
• Ability to work at pace with senior stakeholders, distilling complexity and moving fluidly between strategic and tactical priorities
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; trusted by senior leadership and respected by teams
• High discretion, integrity, and ability to handle sensitive information
• Highly proactive, adaptable, and resourceful, with strong intuition and judgment
• Someone who thrives on being one step ahead, keeping things moving, and making the CEO more effective every day

Chief of Staff – Benefits

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Life assurance
• Annual bonus
• Private pension scheme

Howett Thorpe are acting as a recruitment agency in relation to this role and comply with all relevant UK legislation and do not discriminate on any protected characteristics. Due to the high volume of applications we currently receive, we are unable to respond to all candidates. If you do not hear from a Consultant within 5 working days, please assume that you have not been successful.

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