Crafting a CV that succinctly conveys your unique combination of strategic oversight and hands-on operational leadership is a common challenge for a chief of staff. Our guide provides targeted advice on structuring your achievements and experience to showcase your executive-level capabilities effectively.
Learn how to create your next chief of staff CV by:
- Applying the simplest CV design, so that recruiters can easily understand your expertise, skills, and professional background;
- Ensuring you stand out with your header, summary or objective statement, and a designated skills section;
- Creating your CV experience section - no matter how much expertise you have;
- Using real life professional CV examples to enhance the structure and outline of your profile.
If you still have no muse to write your professional CV, find some more industry-leading examples.
Resume examples for chief of staff
Explore additional chief of staff cv samples and guides and see what works for your level of experience or role.
By Role
Chief of Staff to the CEO
- Structured and Impactful Presentation - The CV exemplifies clarity and structure by organizing information into distinct sections such as experience, education, skills, and achievements. Each section is concise, yet comprehensive, allowing the reader to quickly glean key insights into the candidate's qualifications.
- Progressive Career Trajectory - Ella Bennett’s career path showcases significant growth and development, moving from a Business Analyst role to a senior-level Strategy Consultant position at Stripe. This progression illustrates her ability to adapt and thrive within the dynamic fintech industry.
- Cross-Functional and Adaptable Skill Set - The CV highlights Ella’s proficiency in managing cross-departmental teams and leading cross-functional initiatives, showcasing her adaptability and ability to work effectively across different areas of an organization. This is crucial for driving strategic growth and operational efficiency in varied contexts.
Chief of Staff to the President
- Clear Structure and Conciseness - The CV is well-structured with clearly defined sections such as experience, education, and skills. Each section is concise and uses bullet points effectively to present key achievements and responsibilities. This clarity ensures that the reader can quickly grasp the candidate's qualifications and relevant experience.
- Consistent Career Growth in Higher Education - Henry White's career trajectory demonstrates consistent growth within the higher education sector, advancing from an Administrative Manager to a Chief of Staff role. Each position reflects increased responsibility and scope, highlighting a strong upward career path with significant leadership roles in prestigious universities.
- Emphasis on Leadership and Strategic Impact - The CV highlights Henry's soft skills, particularly leadership and strategic planning. These are complemented by quantitative achievements, such as a 25% increase in project efficiency and a 30% improvement in operational efficiency, showcasing the real-world impact of his leadership and strategic initiatives within the institutions.
Chief of Staff, Operations
- Structured for Readability and Impact - The CV is neatly structured with clear sections, making it easy to identify key information. Each section is concise yet comprehensive, allowing readers to quickly grasp the candidate's qualifications and career highlights without sifting through unnecessary detail.
- Consistent Career Growth and Industry Relevance - Freddie Hughes demonstrates a robust career trajectory with progressive roles in strategic operations and customer experience. The familiarity with leading tech-driven organizations like Revolut and Deliveroo showcases the ability to adapt and excel in dynamic environments, marking a clear path of advancement from Manager to Chief of Staff.
- Achievements with Strategic Business Impact - The CV successfully emphasizes the candidate's business acumen by highlighting achievements with clear relevance. Notable accomplishments such as a 30% process improvement and a 50% increase in customer retention not only reflect competence but also illustrate a direct contribution to organizational growth and efficiency.
Chief of Staff, Human Resources
- Clear Presentation and Concise Structure - The CV is well-organized, with distinct sections that guide the reader smoothly from one aspect of Ava's professional qualifications to another. This clarity and conciseness are maintained through the use of bullet points and quantified achievements, which make her career highlights easily digestible.
- Career Trajectory Featuring Nonprofit Impact - Ava's career progression from HR Advisor to HR Manager shows significant growth in responsibility and influence. Her consistent involvement with reputable nonprofit organizations such as Save the Children, Oxfam, and British Red Cross reflects a dedication to roles that are mission-driven and socially impactful, indicating her ability to influence positive change within the sector.
- Achievements with Quantifiable Business Impact - Ava Phillips’ achievements extend beyond mere data; they showcase significant business outcomes, such as the 20% increase in employee retention and a 30% improvement in new hire engagement scores. These results not only demonstrate technical expertise but also an ability to support business objectives through strategic HR initiatives.
Chief of Staff, Finance
- Career Progression and Leadership Roles - Alexander Jackson's career trajectory showcases a clear path of advancement, beginning as an Operations Manager at Atlassian and progressing to a Senior Strategy Consultant at Accenture, before stepping into a leadership position as Chief of Staff at Zendesk. This progression demonstrates both his capability and readiness to take on increasing responsibilities, highlighting robust growth in strategic and operational roles.
- Cross-functional Collaboration and Operational Efficiency - The CV underscores Jackson's adaptability and ability to thrive in various organizational settings. His experience includes fostering cross-departmental communication and collaboration, which is crucial for reducing decision-making time and increasing project success rates. This demonstrates his effectiveness in maximizing operational efficiency through strategic partnerships and teamwork.
- Quantifiable Achievements and Strategic Impact - The CV is particularly strong in its focus on measurable achievements, emphasizing Jackson's contributions to improving operational and project efficiency. By presenting metrics such as a 40% improvement in project completion timelines and a 25% increase in team productivity, the CV clearly communicates the concrete business impact of Jackson's strategic initiatives.
Chief of Staff, Marketing
- Strategic Leadership in Marketing - Chloe Bell's CV demonstrates a robust career trajectory focused on strategic leadership in marketing. She has held senior positions at well-known companies like Sony Music Entertainment and Universal Music Group, successfully climbing the ranks from Marketing Coordinator to Senior Marketing Strategist. This upward mobility reflects her ability to lead significant marketing initiatives and make impactful decisions that align with corporate strategies.
- Adaptability Across Different Platforms and Regions - The CV highlights Chloe’s adaptability through her cross-functional leadership experience. She has effectively managed diverse teams, navigated complex organizational structures, and implemented strategies that enhance brand positioning across regions. Her work at Sony Music, which led to a 15% increase in market share, illustrates her aptitude for driving change across both digital and traditional marketing channels.
- Analytical Skills and Achievements - The CV meticulously details Chloe’s achievements, with a strong emphasis on measurable business impacts. Her strategic projects have led to significant increases in market share and efficiency, showcased by a 15% rise in market share and a 30% boost in employee satisfaction scores. These achievements underscore her analytical prowess and capability to translate data insights into actionable business strategies that drive growth and improve operational efficiency.
Chief of Staff, Technology
- Clear and Structured Presentation - The CV is presented in a concise and organized manner, making it easy for the reader to navigate through various sections. Each section is clearly delineated, with the use of bullet points enhancing readability and enabling quick absorption of key information.
- Career Growth and Industry Shifts - Oliver's career trajectory is a testament to his growing expertise and adaptability in the tech industry. Starting from a Technology Consultant at Accenture, he progressed to a Technology Project Manager at BT Group, and later, a Senior Technology Manager at GlaxoSmithKline. This illustrates his ability to take on increasing responsibilities and adapt to different corporate environments.
- Achievements with Business Relevance - The CV effectively highlights contributions that go beyond mere numbers, emphasizing their positive impact on the businesses involved. For instance, leading an agile transformation that reduced project delivery times by 30% demonstrates an enhancement in efficiency, while aligning technology strategy with business priorities resulted in a significant 20% revenue growth.
Chief of Staff, Sales
- Clear and structured content presentation - The CV is meticulously organized into distinct sections that allow for an easy read, with clear headings for each part. The use of bullet points under each experience section provides concise examples of achievements and responsibilities, making it easy for the reader to grasp the key highlights of each role.
- Impressive career trajectory and steady growth - Alexander's career path is marked by a steady progression to roles of increasing responsibility, demonstrating his ability to grow within the industry. From a Sales Team Lead to a Vice President of Sales, his advancement shows a strong trajectory of professional development and leadership capabilities.
- Impactful achievements with a focus on business results - Each role is backed by measurable outcomes, such as a 30% performance boost and a 40% revenue increase, which highlights Alexander's ability to make significant contributions to business growth. His awards and accolades further reinforce his success and impact in sales leadership.
Chief of Staff, Legal
- Well-structured and concise presentation - The CV is meticulously organized, allowing the reader to easily navigate through different sections such as experience, education, skills, and achievements. The concise bullet points under each experience ensure clarity while conveying significant accomplishments and responsibilities efficiently.
- Impressive career growth in the fintech industry - Arthur has exhibited a strong upward trajectory in his career, moving from a Legal Advisor to a Head of Legal & Compliance within a decade. This progression, along with key roles in pioneering fintech companies, reflects his adaptability and growing expertise in an evolving sector.
- Highlight of impactful legal achievements - The CV showcases specific achievements with business relevance, such as reducing regulatory risks by 35% and data privacy incidents by 45%. These accomplishments underline his strategic foresight and the positive impact of his legal expertise on organizational efficiency and compliance.
Chief of Staff, Research and Development
- Comprehensive Content Presentation - The CV is structured in a clear and concise manner, starting with a summary that immediately highlights Scarlett Murphy's extensive experience and expertise in research and development. It efficiently organizes detailed sections for experience, education, and skills, ensuring that each aspect of her professional profile is easily accessible and digestible. This clarity aids hiring managers in quickly understanding her qualifications.
- Impressive Career Trajectory - Scarlett's professional journey demonstrates significant growth, with clear advancements from a Senior R&D Analyst to Deputy Chief. This career progression illustrates her ability to adapt and excel in increasingly complex roles, underscoring her strategic leadership capabilities and reinforcing her expertise in R&D within the educational sector.
- Strategic Leadership and Collaboration - The CV emphasizes Scarlett's ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive organizational change, supported by her achievements in efficiency improvements and stakeholder engagement. Her role in building partnerships with global educational organizations further highlights her collaborative skills and her prowess in leading initiatives that align with broader organizational goals.
Chief of Staff, Public Relations
- Content Organization and Clarity - The CV is structured in a way that is easy to navigate, with distinct sections such as experience, education, skills, and achievements. Each section is well-organized, ensuring clarity and readability. The use of bullet points under experience to highlight responsibilities and accomplishments makes the content concise and digestible.
- Progressive Career Trajectory - Scarlett Murphy’s career path exhibits clear upward mobility in the public relations field. Starting as a Senior Account Executive, she advanced to roles of increased responsibility, such as Public Relations Manager and then Director of Communications, ultimately rising to Vice President. This progression underscores her capability and ambition within the industry.
- Significant Business Impact through Achievements - Each position held by Scarlett demonstrates substantial business relevance, not just in terms of numerical achievements but also through strategic impact. For example, leading a restructuring process that increased efficiency by 30% and devising crisis management strategies with a 95% success rate in mitigating negative press are indicative of her ability to contribute to business objectives significantly.
Chief of Staff, Supply Chain
- Clear and Structured Presentation - The CV is well-organized, starting with a concise header that clearly lists the candidate’s name, title, and contact information. Each section is distinctly labeled, allowing easy navigation. The use of bullet points under each job role ensures clarity and readability, focusing on achievements and responsibilities.
- Career Progression and Growth - Alfie Edwards showcases a strong upward career trajectory, moving from a Supply Chain Specialist to Director of Supply Chain. This progression illustrates Alfie's expanding leadership capabilities and increasing responsibility in managing and optimizing supply chain processes across prominent companies in the medical and healthcare sectors.
- Industry-specific Tools and Methodologies - The CV emphasizes unique industry-specific elements such as ERP system upgrades and the implementation of advanced demand forecasting techniques. Alfie's technical depth in deploying AI-driven solutions to enhance global supply chain efficiency stands out, highlighting expertise in integrating technological advancements for operational improvements.
Chief of Staff, Digital Transformation
- Comprehensive career progression - Jacob Roberts' CV delineates a robust career trajectory marked by progressive leadership roles, showcasing his ascension from Digital Product Manager to Director of Digital Transformation. This upward mobility highlights his capability to take on increasingly complex responsibilities and drive large-scale changes.
- Advocacy for ethical technology - The CV's emphasis on ethical AI practices, along with the integration of GOV.UK standards, underscores Jacob's commitment to responsible technology use. Such traits are pivotal in today's digital environment, where ethical considerations in AI and data usage are increasingly scrutinized.
- High-impact achievements with quantifiable outcomes - The document is replete with concrete achievements that highlight Jacob's impact on business performance, such as increasing user engagement by 70% and achieving a 30% improvement in operational efficiency. These metrics not only demonstrate his efficacy in implementing digital solutions but also his ability to drive significant organizational value.
Chief of Staff, Diversity and Inclusion
- Structured and Concise Content Presentation - The CV is well-structured with clear sections that facilitate easy navigation. Each section is concise yet comprehensive, highlighting the candidate’s career journey and skills without overwhelming the reader. The use of bullet points effectively conveys key responsibilities and achievements, making it easy to grasp the breadth and depth of her experience.
- Progressive Career Trajectory - Daisy Shaw's career progression from a People Engagement Coordinator to an EDI Manager at the BBC reflects substantial growth and increasing responsibilities. This trajectory showcases her adaptability and capability to take on more complex roles, emphasizing her advancement within the fields of equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI).
- Significant Achievements and Business Impact - The CV excels in showcasing achievements that have a direct business impact, such as the 30% increase in EDI engagement at the BBC and a 15% improvement in employee satisfaction scores. These accomplishments underscore Daisy’s ability to not only implement strategic initiatives but also drive meaningful organizational change.
Chief of Staff, Customer Success
- Structured Clarity and Conciseness - The CV is well-organized with clear headings and concise bullet points that allow for quick scanning. Each section follows a logical order, beginning with a comprehensive summary that encapsulates the candidate's extensive expertise in financial services and customer success, followed by a methodical detailing of roles and achievements. This organization enhances readability and effectively conveys the candidate's professional narrative.
- Clear Career Progression - The candidate demonstrates a strong upward trajectory, moving from a Client Relationship Manager role to positions of increased responsibility such as Senior Client Success Manager and Director of Client Success. This shows a clear growth pattern and a deepening specialization within financial services, reflecting their ever-expanding skill set and ability to handle higher-stakes roles.
- Achievements with Significant Business Impact - The achievements section effectively highlights the candidate's ability to provide tangible improvements within organizations, such as reducing onboarding time by 30% at Revolut and increasing client retention by 50% at Coinbase. These metrics not only showcase their capability to implement effective strategies but also underline their contribution to operational efficiency and enhanced client satisfaction.
Chief of Staff, Business Development
- Concise and Structured Presentation - The CV is well-organized into clear sections such as experience, education, skills, and achievements, allowing for easy navigation. Each role is succinctly described with bullet points focusing on outcomes, ensuring clarity and conciseness. This structure helps in quickly identifying key competencies and achievements.
- Impressive Career Progression - Chloe's career trajectory demonstrates notable growth from an Operations Analyst to a Chief of Staff, reflecting a successful rise through strategic and managerial positions. This progression indicates not only an increase in responsibility but also a broadening of expertise across different aspects of business management and strategic planning.
- Strong Leadership and Cross-functional Experience - Throughout her roles, Chloe has consistently led cross-functional teams and facilitated executive meetings. Her ability to enhance communication channels and improve project management processes highlights her leadership strengths. These experiences showcase her adeptness at bridging various departments to align with corporate objectives and enhance operational efficiency.
Chief of Staff, Corporate Strategy
- Clear and Structured Presentation - The CV is exceptionally well-organized, with distinct sections including summary, experience, education, skills, courses, achievements, and languages. This clarity in structure enables easy navigation and allows the reader to quickly assess Thomas Walker's qualifications and career journey, making it a highly readable document.
- Progressive Career Trajectory - Thomas's career progression from Project Manager to Senior Program Manager is indicative of his growth and adaptability in leadership roles. His transition from academia to large health organizations such as NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and the Royal College of Nursing demonstrates a strategic shift towards healthcare program management, showcasing his ability to manage complex projects across varied environments.
- Measurable Business Impact through Achievements - The CV stands out by detailing accomplishments with quantifiable outcomes, such as a 20% increase in program efficiency and a successful £500,000 grant acquisition. These metrics not only highlight his capability in delivering results but also emphasize the substantial impact on organizational success, underscoring his proficiency in strategic execution and program optimization.
Chief of Staff, Product Management
- Structured Presentation - Noah Jones' CV is presented in a clear and structured manner, making it easy for readers to quickly understand his experience and expertise. The use of concise bullet points in the experience section allows for effective communication of key achievements and responsibilities, assisting hiring managers in identifying relevant skills and experiences swiftly.
- Growth and Industry Shifts - The CV showcases a dynamic career trajectory, with progressive roles from a Product Manager to a Chief of Staff. Noah has gained diverse experiences in various strategic positions across influential financial corporations like Worldpay, Stripe, and Visa, illustrating both vertical promotions and horizontal shifts that demonstrate versatility and career growth.
- Cross-Functional Expertise - Highlighted throughout the CV is Noah's aptitude for cross-functional collaboration, such as leading teams and working across different departments, which is critical for the strategic roles he has held. This adaptability and ability to work fluently between diverse teams underpin his leadership abilities and strategic impact across organizational levels.
Chief of Staff, Environmental Sustainability
- Effectively Structured and Concise Presentation - The CV is well-organized, utilizing a clear structure with distinct sections such as experience, education, skills, and achievements. This layout enables easy navigation, providing essential details concisely, which helps busy recruiters quickly identify key qualifications and accomplishments relevant to the role of an Environmental and Sustainability Specialist.
- Demonstrates Strong Career Progression - Sophia Brooks showcases a trajectory of growth from a Sustainability Consultant to an Environmental and Sustainability Lead over a decade. This progression demonstrates her increasing responsibilities, expertise in sustainability practices, and her ability to lead significant projects that improve environmental performance, underscoring her competence and ambition within the industry.
- Emphasizes Industry-Relevant Methodologies and Expertise - The CV reflects a deep engagement with industry-specific tools like ISO 14001 and GHG emissions reporting, highlighting Sophia's technical depth in environmental management systems. Her proficiency in emissions tracking and her involvement in decarbonisation initiatives show her commitment to sustainability standards, making her a valuable asset to any organization focused on environmental excellence.
Chief of Staff, Corporate Social Responsibility
- Structured Content Presentation - The CV is neatly organized, making it easy to follow Edward Mitchell's professional journey. It opens with a succinct summary that encapsulates his experience and skills, moves logically through each job role with clear descriptions of responsibilities and achievements, and ends with sections dedicated to education, skills, courses, achievements, languages, and passions. This structure ensures clarity and conciseness, allowing his capabilities and accomplishments to be immediately evident to any reader.
- Strategic Career Growth - Edward Mitchell's career trajectory highlights significant growth and development within strategic roles. Starting as a Strategy Consultant at Deloitte, advancing to Senior Strategy Manager at Aviva, and ultimately becoming Chief of Staff at Prudential UK, each position marks a step forward in responsibility and leadership. This trajectory demonstrates his ability to effectively leverage his skills and experience, constantly seeking new challenges and opportunities for advancement within the industry.
- Demonstrated Leadership and Strategic Impact - The CV underscores Mitchell's strategic and leadership abilities by showcasing accomplishments that go beyond mere numbers. His achievements, such as leading a cross-functional team to a 15% productivity increase and improving market share by 25% at Aviva, highlight his capability to positively impact organizational efficiency and market positioning. These outcomes reveal his strategic acumen and ability to drive meaningful business improvements.
How complex should the format of your chief of staff CV be?
Perhaps, you decided to use a fancy font and plenty of colours to ensure your chief of staff CV stands out amongst the pile of other candidate profiles. Alas - this may confuse recruiters. By keeping your format simple and organising your information coherently, you'll ultimately make a better impression. What matters most is your experience, while your CV format should act as complementary thing by:
- Presenting the information in a reverse chronological order with the most recent of your jobs first. This is done so that your career history stays organised and is aligned to the role;
- Making it easy for recruiters to get in touch with you by including your contact details in the CV header. Regarding the design of your CV header, include plenty of white space and icons to draw attention to your information. If you're applying for roles in the UK, don't include a photo, as this is considered a bad practice;
- Organising your most important CV sections with consistent colours, plenty of white space, and appropriate margins (2.54 cm). Remember that your CV design should always aim at legibility and to spotlight your key information;
- Writing no more than two pages of your relevant experience. For candidates who are just starting out in the field, we recommend to have an one-page CV.
One more thing about your CV format - you may be worried if your double column CV is Applicant Tracker System (ATS) complaint. In our recent study, we discovered that both single and double-column CVs are ATS-friendly . Most ATSes out there can also read all serif and sans serif fonts. We suggest you go with modern, yet simple, fonts (e.g. Rubik, Lato, Raleway) instead of the classic Times New Roman. You'll want your application to stand out, and many candidates still go for the classics. Finally, you'll have to export your CV. If you're wondering if you should select Doc or PDF, we always advise going with PDF. Your CV in PDF will stay intact and opens easily on every OS, including Mac OS.
PRO TIP
For certain fields, consider including infographics or visual elements to represent skills or achievements, but ensure they are simple, professional, and enhance rather than clutter the information.
The top sections on a chief of staff CV
- Professional Summary showcases leadership qualities and the capacity to support high-level executives, essential for the chief of staff role.
- Key Skills section highlights strategic planning, project management, and communication skills vital for a chief of staff.
- Professional Experience details a history of roles with increasing responsibility, reflecting the ability to manage complex operational tasks.
- Education and Professional Development showcases relevant degrees and training, demonstrating the foundation needed for the chief of staff position.
- Achievements and Milestones presents specific accomplishments, illustrating the candidate's impact in previous roles.
What recruiters value on your CV:
- Highlight cross-functional leadership by demonstrating previous experience in uniting different departments towards a common goal, as a chief of staff often acts as a linchpin in executive decision-making.
- Emphasise strategic planning skills by outlining how you've successfully developed and implemented company strategies, showing your ability to complement and realise the CEO’s vision.
- Detail your communication prowess, focusing on instances where you have actively facilitated clear and effective communication channels between senior leadership and the wider organisation.
- Showcase your problem-solving abilities by providing examples of complex business challenges you've tackled, underscoring the analytic and adaptable nature required for a chief of staff.
- Include instances of discretion and confidentiality, to reflect the trust placed in a chief of staff with sensitive company information and the professional integrity required to handle it.
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Making a good first impression with your chief of staff CV header
Your typical CV header consists of Your typical CV header consists of contact details and a headline. Make sure to list your professional phone number, email address, and a link to your professional portfolio (or, alternatively, your LinkedIn profile). When writing your CV headline , ensure it's:
- tailored to the job you're applying for;
- highlights your unique value as a professional;
- concise, yet matches relevant job ad keywords.
You can, for examples, list your current job title or a particular skill as part of your headline. Now, if you decide on including your photo in your CV header, ensure it's a professional one, rather than one from your graduation or night out. You may happen to have plenty more questions on how to make best the use of your CV headline. We'll help you with some real-world examples, below.
Examples of good CV headlines for chief of staff:
- Chief of Staff | Strategic Planning Maestro | Lean Six Sigma Certified | 7 Years of Growth Leadership
- Senior Chief of Staff | Policy Development Expert | MBA | Advancing Corporate Objectives | 15+ Years Experience
- Executive Chief of Staff | Organisational Change Agent | Masters in Public Administration | 10 Years in Leadership
- Dynamic Chief of Staff | Stakeholder Engagement Specialist | Project Management Pro | 5+ Years at C-Level
- Versatile Chief of Staff | Corporate Governance | HR Management | Efficiency Driver | 12 Years Professional Journey
- Visionary Chief of Staff | Military Background | Crisis Management Authority | PMP Certified | 20 Years in Command
Your chief of staff CV introduction: selecting between a summary and an objective
chief of staff candidates often wonder how to start writing their resumes. More specifically, how exactly can they use their opening statements to build a connection with recruiters, showcase their relevant skills, and spotlight job alignment. A tricky situation, we know. When crafting you chief of staff CV select between:
- A summary - to show an overview of your career so far, including your most significant achievements.
- An objective - to show a conscise overview of your career dreams and aspirations.
Find out more examples and ultimately, decide which type of opening statement will fit your profile in the next section of our guide:
CV summaries for a chief of staff job:
- Seasoned Chief of Staff with over 10 years of experience driving strategic leadership in the heart of London's financial sector. Masterfully blending financial acumen, operational management, and stakeholder relations, I spearheaded a turnaround strategy increasing revenue by 30% at a major investment firm.
- Dedicated Chief of Staff with a proven 7-year track record in the tech industry, noted for leading cross-functional teams in the development and launch of groundbreaking software, culminating in the takeover of a Silicon Valley start-up by a Fortune 500 company.
- Former non-profit organisation director making a transition into the corporate sector as a Chief of Staff, armed with a 12-year tenure steering high-impact initiatives and complex budget management, eager to leverage strong leadership and analytical skills to deliver effective organisational strategies.
- Accomplished military officer now pursuing a civilian role as Chief of Staff, bringing a unique blend of strategic planning, disciplined execution, and leadership developed over 15 years of service. Transformed logistics operations for a battalion, resulting in a 20% increase in operational efficiency.
- Aspiring to transition from a specialised role in academia to the multifaceted responsibilities of a Chief of Staff, offering exceptional research proficiency, organisational prowess, and a dedication to fostering collaborative environments that align with the strategic goals of innovative sectors.
- Driven by a passion for organisational leadership, I am eager to embark on a career as a Chief of Staff. I bring a fresh perspective, a relentless work ethic, and a commitment to mastering the complexities of corporate governance to enact tangible improvements in strategic operations.
The best formula for your chief of staff CV experience section
The CV experience section is the space where many candidates go wrong by merely listing their work history and duties. Don't do that. Instead, use the job description to better understand what matters most for the role and integrate these keywords across your CV. Thus, you should focus on:
- showcasing your accomplishments to hint that you're results-oriented;
- highlighting your skill set by integrating job keywords, technologies, and transferrable skills in your experience bullets;
- listing your roles in reverse chronological order, starting with the latest and most senior, to hint at how you have grown your career;
- featuring metrics, in the form of percentage, numbers, etc. to make your success more tangible.
When writing each experience bullet, start with a strong, actionable verb, then follow it up with a skill, accomplishment, or metric. Use these professional examples to perfect your CV experience section:
Best practices for your CV's work experience section
- Managed complex calendar arrangements, ensuring the Chief Executive's schedule was optimised for strategic priorities, demonstrating exceptional organisation and foresight.
- Facilitated cross-departmental communication to assist executive decision-making, acting as a pivotal liaison to streamline organisational workflows and collaborating effectively with diverse teams.
- Developed comprehensive briefing materials for executive meetings and presentations, enabling informed discussions with detailed research and data analysis.
- Coordinated high-level projects from inception to completion, applying strong project management skills to keep initiatives aligned with organisational goals and delivered on time.
- Monitored and reported on progress of strategic initiatives, utilising analytical skills to provide actionable insights and drive continuous improvement.
- Managed and resolved sensitive or critical issues with discretion, ensuring confidentiality was maintained and stakeholder relationships were preserved.
- Played a key role in the planning and execution of corporate events and retreats, enhancing team cohesion and reinforcing organisational culture.
- Engaged with stakeholders to gather requirements and feedback, fostering a collaborative environment that supported effective policy and strategy development.
- Implemented process improvements to enhance efficiency within the executive office, demonstrating initiative and a proactive approach to problem-solving.
Work Experience
Chief of Staff
Accenture
07/2018-06/2022
- Overhauled internal communication processes, resulting in a 40% increase in cross-departmental project efficiency at a leading global consultancy firm.
- Managed a fiscal budget of over £5 million, successfully reducing operational costs by 15% while maintaining performance standards.
- Crafted and executed strategic plans that contributed to a 25% enhancement in company-wide employee satisfaction.
Work Experience
Executive Chief of Staff
Deloitte
01/2016-12/2019
- Spearheaded the integration of cutting-edge project management software, increasing the tracking efficiency of deliverables by 35%.
- Championed diversity initiatives that improved minority recruitment by 20% in executive positions at a multinational corporation.
- Facilitated the expansion into three new international markets, directly managing the transition teams and strategy formulation.
Work Experience
Senior Chief of Staff
KPMG
05/2014-04/2017
- Launched a company-wide innovation program that led to the development and implementation of two patented technologies.
- Led a task force that negotiated and secured a £10 million government contract for urban development projects.
- Strategically realigned the company's marketing vision, resulting in a 50% growth in online customer engagement.
Work Experience
Principal Chief of Staff
PricewaterhouseCoopers
02/2013-01/2017
- Directed the revamping of the company's core product line, achieving a 20% increase in market share against top competitors.
- Implemented a leadership training program that cultivated four mid-level managers into executive roles within two years.
- Optimized team workflows which led to a reduction in project completion times from six to four months on average.
Work Experience
Director and Chief of Staff
Ernst & Young
09/2011-08/2015
- Pioneered the development of a CSR initiative that redirected 10% of profits to sustainable practices in the local community.
- Advised the CEO on strategic partnerships and led due diligence efforts that culminated in a £50 million merger.
- Orchestrated the annual leadership summit that brought together industry experts, resulting in 5% yearly revenue growth from networking opportunities.
Work Experience
Chief of Staff to CEO
McKinsey & Company
04/2019-Ongoing
- Oversaw the digital transformation project that included migrating legacy systems to a cloud-based infrastructure.
- Initiated a talent retention program that reduced staff turnover by 18% within a year during a highly competitive phase.
- Negotiated with vendors to decrease supply chain costs by 22%, thus increasing the company's profit margins and operational efficiency.
Work Experience
Head Chief of Staff
Boston Consulting Group
03/2009-02/2013
- Revitalized the corporate governance framework, enhancing compliance with industry regulations and standards.
- Authored an internal leadership development curriculum that has been adopted company-wide and boosted leadership readiness by 30%.
- Led the strategic planning committee in a company rebranding initiative that revitalized the brand image and customer perception.
Work Experience
Coordinator and Chief of Staff
Bain & Company
06/2012-05/2016
- Played a pivotal role in tripling the company’s research capabilities through the establishment of two additional innovation labs.
- Implemented a data-driven decision-making process that improved project selection success rates by 45%
- Catalyzed a company-wide digital literacy program that equipped 1,500 employees with essential digital skills in line with current technological trends.
Lacking professional expertise: how to write your CV to highlight your best talents
Don't count on your lucky stars when you're applying for a role, where you happen to have less (or almost none) professional experience. Recruiters sometimes do hire inexperienced candidates if they're able to present their unique value from the get-go. So, instead of opting for the traditional, CV experience section:
- List any applicable expertise you happen to have - no matter if it's a part-time job, internship, or volunteer work. This would hint to recruiters that your profile is relevant;
- Focus your CV on your transferrable skills or talents you've obtained thanks to your whole life and work experience. In effect, you'll be spotlighting your value as a candidate;
- Separate more space for your applicable academic background and certificates to show you have the technical know-how;
- Ensure that within your objective, you've defined why you'll like the job and how you'll be the perfect match for it. Always ensure you've tailored your CV to individual applications.
Looking for more good examples for your first job? We'll show you how other candidates, with less professional experience, have created their job-winning CVs.
Recommended reads:
PRO TIP
Talk about any positive changes you helped bring about in your previous jobs, like improving a process or helping increase efficiency.
Mix and match hard and soft skills across your chief of staff CV
Your skill set play an equally valid role as your experience to your application. That is because recruiters are looking for both:
- hard skills or your aptitude in applying particular technologies
- soft skills or your ability to work in a team using your personal skills, e.g. leadership, time management, etc.
Are you wondering how you should include both hard and soft skills across your chief of staff CV? Use the:
- skills section to list between ten and twelve technologies that are part of the job requirement (and that you're capable to use);
- strengths and achievements section to detail how you've used particular hard and soft skills that led to great results for you at work;
- summary or objective to spotlight up to three skills that are crucial for the role and how they've helped you optimise your work processes.
One final note - when writing about the skills you have, make sure to match them exactly as they are written in the job ad. Take this precautionary measure to ensure your CV passes the Applicant Tracker System (ATS) assessment.
Top skills for your chief of staff CV:
HARD SKILLS
Strategic Planning
Project Management
Policy Development
Financial Acumen
Analytical Thinking
Performance Measurement
Stakeholder Management
Process Improvement
Change Management
Legislative Knowledge
SOFT SKILLS
Leadership
Communication
Interpersonal Skills
Problem-Solving
Adaptability
Negotiation
Time Management
Decision Making
Conflict Resolution
Teamwork
PRO TIP
Order your skills based on the relevance to the role you're applying for, ensuring the most pertinent skills catch the employer's attention first.
CV education and certificates: your academic background as proof of your skill set
A common misconception about your chief of staff CV education is that you only need it, if you have less professional experience. That is completely false. The CV education section serves to back up your technical (and sometimes personal) capabilities, fill in gaps in your work history, and show you have the initial industry background and know-how. When creating your education section:
- List your degrees in the reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent (and relevant) ones first;
- Include your degree and university names, start and graduation dates. It's optional to also denote you received a "First-Class Honours" for diplomas that are more relevant to the role;
- Curate your relevant university coursework, projects, or thesis work if you happen to have less professional expertise and need to integrate more job keywords and skills.
Your professional qualifications don't need to stop at your academic background. It's advisable to also select up to three of your most noteworthy (and relevant) industry certificates and feature them in a dedicated section. Once more, include the certificate name, the institution that issued it out, and the date you obtained it on. You could feature both hard skills and soft skills certificates, as in the examples below:
PRO TIP
If there's a noticeable gap in your skillset for the role you're applying for, mention any steps you're taking to acquire these skills, such as online courses or self-study.
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Key takeaways
Impressing recruiters with your experience, skill set, and values starts with your professional chief of staff CV. Write concisely and always aim to answer job requirements with what you've achieved; furthermore:
- Select a simple design that complements your experience and ensures your profile is presentable;
- Include an opening statement that either spotlights your key achievements (summary) or showcases your career ambitions (objective);
- Curate your experience bullets, so that each one commences with a strong, action verb and is followed up by your skill and accomplishment;
- List your hard and soft skills all across different sections of your CV to ensure your application meets the requirements;
- Dedicate space to your relevant higher education diplomas and your certificates to show recruiters you have the necessary industry background.
