r/ChiefsOfStaff

I’ve been a CoS for the last 5 years - half time spent at large corporate manufacturing build, and half time spent at smaller engineering business.

I was contacted recently by my old principal from the first manufacturing build and he really wants me to come work with him on a new start up. Problem is that he said I might have an EA title. Existing start up already has a CoS reporting to CEO. My principal is not the CEO in this case, but he is right hand to CEO for project purposes.

I would essentially still be acting as a CoS for him (even my old role with him was still 20% EA-ish work).

I’m torn because it’s a very male dominated environment and I have a bachelors and masters degree (and still considering part time evening law school in the location I take this job) — and while meaning no disrespect to any EA, my work history is far above what standard EA does and I don’t want to be perceived as “just an EA” when I start. It feels like a demotion.

He is in the process of going back and asking for them to consider another title — even associate chief of staff or something to retain where I am.

However, this job is for a multi-billion dollar start up, $200k base pay plus insane bonuses and equity. So even if they don’t budge on title — I know it’s a great opportunity and I don’t want to let my ego ruin it for me. Not to mention the professional connections/networking/access.
I know I can prove myself in the workplace when it comes down to it because I’ve done it plenty of times before in a room full of men as one of very few females.

I should have an answer on Tuesday or Wednesday, but wanted to get some more advice from other CoS people out there. Thanks for reading.

Update: I sent an email to the principal seeking to hire basically offering multiple other role titles I’m comfortable with or saying that if the business is set on EA title I will greatly restrict my hours and they must pay for my evening law school which would allow me to further my educational dreams (which I’ve put off based on cost) and justify why I scaled back to an EA role because I was in law program. Plus they must provide me more equity in return.

I’m new to the CoS role and have an EA that reports to me instead of the executive. We work together to support the executive. Any advice on the questions below would be appreciated, especially from those who work in a similar reporting structure. Thank you!

* What tips do you have to help us work best together to support the executive?
* How might I leverage the EA to support my role and work as CoS?
* What can I do as a supervisor to clarify and not blur the line of our roles?
* Down the line, depending on how my work evolves, I may want to request an Assistant CoS. How does an Assistant CoS truly differ from a CoS and an EA?