Chief of Staff to the CEO

Chief of Staff to the CEO

Requirements

• Advanced degree (Master’s or Ph.D.) in a physics, biology, or chemistry (or closely related field) strongly preferred.
• Demonstrable experience applying scientific knowledge in a startup or high-growth environment.
• 2+ years of experience as a Chief of Staff, investment banking, management consulting, or in a similar role.
• Proven track record of successfully managing multiple, time-sensitive projects in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment.
• Ability to understand big-picture goals and break them down into actionable steps.
• Exceptional aptitude for triaging, delegating, and keeping projects on track.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, capable of building strong relationships and communicating with stakeholders at all levels.
• Moderately sophisticated IT competence; comfortable leveraging modern project management tools and platforms.
• Strong analytical, emotional, and social intelligence to navigate complex team dynamics and external partnerships.
• Willingness to operate with urgency, be resourceful, and maintain flexibility in an evolving environment.
• Ready to roll up sleeves and handle tasks that range from high-level strategy to day-to-day logistics.
• Seeking mentorship (not fundamental skills training); able to add value in week one.
• Willing to stretch beyond traditional work hours when needed, given the nature of startup demands.

Responsibilities

• Partner closely with executive leadership to drive key business initiatives from planning through execution, actively identifying potential challenges (e.g., team dynamics, scheduling conflicts, resource constraints) and proposing solutions.
• Serve as the CEO’s primary support in managing urgent, often ambiguously prioritized tasks, ensuring clarity and execution.
• Assess incoming requests, negotiate timelines, prioritize effectively, and drive completion or delegation—often coordinating cross-functionally with key stakeholders (e.g., completing tasks for investors or strategic partners, managing board materials preparation).
• Directly support the CEO by managing and optimizing their calendar, reducing reactive scheduling, and proactively planning the best use of time.
• Oversee timely email follow-ups, investor and strategic partner engagements, and general task management, ensuring efficient prioritization and execution.
• Coordinate complex meeting schedules for internal and external stakeholders, including executives and cross-functional teams.
• Own the organization of executive team meetings, managing agendas, capturing action items, and ensuring timely follow-ups.
• Prepare polished, well-organized briefing materials and presentations for internal and external audiences, ensuring clarity, effectiveness, visual appeal, and attention to detail.
• Perform ad hoc analyses and refine business processes to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
• Leverage data-driven insights to inform decisions, ensuring accuracy in both data collection and analysis.
• Organize corporate events and executive off-sites with a focus on fostering a strong company culture while aligning with strategic objectives to drive organizational success.
• Represent the organization at external events, as needed, enabling leadership to focus on higher-impact engagements.

Preferred Qualifications

No preferred qualifications provided.