r/ChiefsOfStaff

I’ve been in Product Management (on the technical side) for over 15 years. The last few years, my scope increased so I was managing the roadmap for about 65 people and multiple teams across engineering, product and design. I have really enjoyed doing more org mgmt across resource planning, setting KPIs, Goals tracking and planning, strategic mapping across features and operational excellence and overall looking for ways to optimize output for the org.

I started to gravitate to a CoS role for a large tech legal department (300+) at a large company and got to the final round but they wanted me to move and that wasn’t in the cards.

I couldn’t get it out of my head that CoS was the next logical step for my career. While I still love building products and services, I even more love building processes and driving more efficient / effective workflows.

Now there is a role opening up for an engineering group (300+) and I’ve worked with that team(s) for 4 years. They also want someone strong in AI which I have been super deep on in the last 2 years.

I’m looking for tips from any Product Mgmt —> CoS folks on how you sold in your background as a match for this line of work.

What parts of your background amplified your impact and what gaps did you have that you needed to fill the most as a CoS?

I know it’s niche, but are there any intercultural consultants that could use kultigo for their workshops or team building events?
What kind of team analytics would add value to your interventions?
How many licenses would you need?
We might just be starting a big thing together, I’m giving away as many Pro and Enterprise accesses as you request, just let me know.

Hi all! I recently received a CoS position at a Series A startup. As someone interested in starting my own company, I thought it might be a good learning opportunity.

Unfortunately, the compensation is very low — $130k — less than half my salary at MBB. Is it worth taking this opportunity for the sake of the learning opportunity?

The counterargument is you learn by doing: if my goal is to start a company, I better start today. I'm 25, and I'm acutely aware of timing passing by. I graduated from college 4 years ago! If the CoS — similar to B-school — is just a delaying tactic / an unnecessary training wheel, I'd like to avoid it.

I received another offer in corporate strategy — a cushy 9-5 job that will pay $170k. That's a lot more money and it would give me more time to ideate / beginning building.

Best case scenario, CoS would be a great "apprentice" opportunity and could be worth the pay cut to work with a seasoned CEO. Downside, I mentioned above. Any thoughts?

We’ve been working together long enough where I enjoy fun at his psychological expense without consequence sometimes. Talked to the other chief of staff at my company the other day and it appears her relationship is much more formal.

Curious, if anybody has any experience implementing an AI tool or software to help with the below items? I know it’s broad but curious to see what you all have!

Meeting prep system
-capture meeting notes and next steps
-Format into an agenda with key areas (Agenda, context, desired outcomes, notes)
-disseminate next steps to various team members

Weekly priority tracker/communication tool
-Top priorities, key meetings, follow-ups

Hey, quick question.

I’ve been trying to learn more about the OF space, especially the management side, but before getting involved in anything serious I wanted to understand things better from the model’s point of view.

If anyone here has done OF before, or even just thought about it, I’d honestly be interested in hearing how you see managers, what makes someone seem trustworthy, what red flags stand out immediately, and how those first conversations usually go.

Not trying to recruit anyone or sell anything, just looking for honest insight from people who actually know the space better than I do