Demand for Chiefs of Staff Surges As Roles Shift From Gatekeeper To Strategic Partner

Companies are increasingly recruiting chiefs of staff, offering salaries that can reach about $200,000 a year as the job evolves from calendar keeper to executive lieutenant. Job site data show openings for chief-of-staff positions have climbed by roughly 17 out of every 20 listings since early 2020, a sign that more leaders want a dedicated deputy to manage priorities and follow through on initiatives.

The trend is visible at firms that have scaled rapidly. Sixteen years ago Richard Gelfond, the chief executive of IMAX, brought on his first chief of staff to shadow him and handle day-to-day scheduling. As the company swelled from a few dozen locations to almost 2,000 screens worldwide, the post grew into a broader role responsible for coordinating strategy and execution across the organization.

Veteran executives now expect chiefs of staff to do more than take notes. They act as sounding boards, help refine public messaging, translate high-level goals into project plans and push teams to deliver. In a recent conversation, Gelfond described his chief of staff as someone who helps clarify his objectives and then works alongside him to make those objectives happen, adding that he still relies on human judgment for many decisions.

Talent specialists say the position appeals to ambitious generalists who can move between operations, communications and finance. "Companies are treating these hires as investment positions," said Laura Kim, a recruiting consultant. "They want people who can shape priorities, hold leaders accountable and bring disparate teams together." Pay varies by industry and company size but tends to rise where the role includes oversight of major initiatives.

For job seekers, the takeaway is clear: experience in project management, strong interpersonal skills and the ability to synthesize information quickly matter more than a single technical specialty. And while some organizations experiment with automation to handle routine tasks, executives interviewed say technology hasn't replaced the judgment and relationships a chief of staff brings to the corner office.