Why Chiefs of Staff Are Private Equity’s New Power Move
Private equity is a game of speed, scale and execution. There is immense pressure to move fast, to systemize business, drive growth and hit aggressive value creation targets.
In many cases, capital is available. The team is aligned on strategy. Yet, what’s missing is capacity.
Enter the Chief of Staff
Long established in venture-backed tech companies, the Chief of Staff role is now gaining traction in private equity, and for good reason. In PE-backed companies, where CEOs are stretched thin and the pace is unrelenting, the Chief of Staff emerges as one of the most powerful yet underrated roles on the organizational chart particularly because the role increases the CEO’s capacity.
Why Does Private Equity Fuel Demand for Chiefs of Staff?
CEOs of many PE-backed companies find themselves at the center of enormous complexity:
· Running a fast-growing business
· Leading a lean leadership team
· Managing board expectations
· Navigating talent gaps
· Driving M&A or integration
In the early stages post-investment, there often is not yet a need or budget for a full-time Chief Operating Officer. Even so, CEOs still need leverage to open capacity. They need someone to drive alignment, create operating cadence and ensure momentum for strategic initiatives. That’s where a Chief of Staff shines.
What Does a Chief of Staff Do in a Private Equity-Backed Company?
While the role varies company to company, Chiefs of Staff in private equity environments typically focus on three buckets:
Alignment
Establishes meeting rhythms and dashboards
Drives the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) or similar frameworks
Prepares board of directors materials and investor updates
Execution
Owns cross-functional projects
Manages initiatives, ensuring each has a clear owner
Constantly follows up to drive accountability across the team
Amplification
Acts as a force multiplier for the CEO
Improves internal communication and enhances company culture
Catches myriad loose ends to expedite execution
A great Chief of Staff has both altitude and agility. The person in this role can zoom out for strategic planning then jump into execution without missing a beat. Herein lies the Chief of Staff’s gift for increasing the CEO’s capacity.
What Makes a Great Chief of Staff for a Private Equity-Backed Company?
Hiring a Chief of Staff into a private equity-backed environment is fundamentally different from hiring one into a corporate headquarters. The pace is faster, the ambiguity is greater and the stakes are often higher. The most effective Chiefs of Staff in these settings are those who operate comfortably in chaos, thrive in founder-led or fast-growth businesses and know how to move quickly while introducing structure.
Executives and team members trust the Chiefs of Staff to build relationships inside and outside the organization. Crucially, they know how to drive outcomes without relying on formal authority – again, thereby increasing the CEO’s capacity. Many of the best Chiefs of Staff for PE-backed companies come from consulting backgrounds, operating roles or have been founders themselves. What they share is a unique combination of strategic thinking, high EQ and a relentless drive to execute and deliver results.
What Are Common Use Cases for a Chief of Staff in Private Equity-Backed Companies?
| Use Case | Impact |
|---|---|
| Pre-COO / Post-Investment | Establishes cadence and CEO leverage early |
| M&A Integration | Runs the cross-functional project most in need of ownership |
| Strategic Project Leadership | Drives growth initiatives across sales, operations and product |
| Founder Transition | Helps founders professionalize without slowing down |
| CEO Enablement | Clears bottlenecks, manages internal comms and focuses CEO time |
Advice for Private Equity Firms and CEOs Considering a Chief of Staff
For those exploring this hire, the most important first step is to define the role with intention. A Chief of Staff is not an Executive Assistant, nor are they a Chief Operating Officer. Rather, they are a trusted extension of the CEO’s brain and execution, and yes, their capacity.
Hire for trust, clarity and ownership. While a strong pedigree is valuable, a track record of follow-through and execution matters more. Before making the hire, align on what success looks like. What specific outcomes should be true in 12 months as a result of this person’s work?
Think ahead. Many great Chiefs of Staff eventually grow into Chief Operating Officer or similar roles, so career path planning is key.
Finally, compensation should reflect both the scope of operational responsibility and the deep partnership with the CEO and is often structured as a combination of base salary and performance-based incentives.
The Future of the Chief of Staff Role in Private Equity
Private equity is ultimately about execution. Playbooks only work when the right people are in place to run them. As more portfolio companies seek leverage without bloating salary burden, the Chief of Staff role will only grow in visibility and value.
Accelerate beyond moving fast. Move fast with great capacity for the CEO to build a lasting company.
That is exactly what a great Chief of Staff makes possible.
Interested in Hiring a Chief of Staff?
Vannin Chief of Staff specializes in placing Chiefs of Staff into private equity-backed companies. Whether you are hiring your first Chief of Staff or need help scoping the role, we can help. Get in touch with us today.
Vannin Chief of Staff, founded in 2020, is a premier talent partner with a focus on roles supporting the CEO. We have a proven track record of helping executives find the right talent, full-time or fractionally, and up-level their talent via our proprietary advisory program. Vannin Chief of Staff has served over 150 clients globally, including Shopify, Orange Theory, Cordis, Lilac Solutions, GRIN, Propelus, WALR, Wish for Wheels and more. Get details at vanninchiefofstaff.com.