Chief of Staff

The Chief of Staff relieves top executives – typically the CEO – of operational, tactical, and strategic tasks. Rather than working on operational matters, they create the conditions for effective leadership.
Typical responsibilities include:

  • Coordination & Prioritization
    Ensuring that key projects remain the focus and resources are used efficiently.
  • Communication Interface & Alignment
    Translating strategic goals into operational reality. The CoS acts as a Trusted Link between the CEO, management team, and the organization.
  • Strategic Project Management
    Leading or supporting company-wide initiatives, from conception to execution.
  • Executive Sparring
    The CoS thinks ahead, asks critical questions, and provides insights to enhance leadership.
  • Meeting and Decision Management
    Preparation, moderation, and follow-up of leadership meetings – with a focus on effectiveness and ensuring results.

A Chief of Staff must have a comprehensive understanding while also being detail-oriented.
The role calls for:

  • Strategic vision and operational excellence
  • Proven track record in working with C-suite executives
  • Outstanding communication and mediation skills
  • Strong organizational skills & ability to handle pressure
  • Analytical mindset & results-driven implementation

A CoS is more than an assistant-plus or internal project manager. The true strength of this role lies in minimizing friction and redirecting strategic energy to where it has the greatest leverage.

In practice, this means: Less time wasted in unclear meetings. Clear responsibilities for projects. A prioritization that’s based on goals – not noise. And most importantly: A CEO who can lead again, instead of getting lost in micromanagement.

Many organizations only realize in hindsight how much they’ve missed having a structured sparring partner at the C-level. Especially in companies with rapid growth cycles, many internal challenges, or high change pressure, the Chief of Staff becomes the invisible catalyst for progress.

Typical examples from everyday work include:

  • In a scale-up, the leadership team is overwhelmed by hypergrowth. The CoS builds processes, creates transparency, and relieves the leadership by handling operational execution.
  • In a family business, the owner plans their exit. The CoS orchestrates the handover, secures know-how, and supports the new leader through their first 100 days.
  • In a KPI-driven structure, the CoS ensures the implementation of the value-creation strategy, establishes reporting lines, and identifies quick wins before the pressure becomes overwhelming.

In brief: A great Chief of Staff operates behind the scenes, but their presence is felt. They set the stage for leadership to function and allow organizations to move forward without obstruction.

The best Chiefs of Staff work in the background – what is visible is that the organization runs smoothly, decisions are made faster, and the leadership team operates with more clarity and focus.

They don't just relieve pressure – they amplify leadership, ensure strategic clarity, and make companies more resilient. Especially during phases of rapid growth, restructurings, or international expansions, a CoS can make all the difference.

Many CEOs, looking back, say: “I wish I had someone earlier who not only had my back but also thought ahead with me.”

Why I am the perfect fit as Chief of Staff

Over the last 25 years, I’ve built startups, structured grown-ups, and prepared companies for scaling or exit - always by the side of founders, CEOs, or investors.

What sets me apart: the ability to identify patterns early. With empathy, agility, and a strong will to make decisions, I thrive in the spaces where traditional structures break down - during times of transformation, fast growth, or when clarity is needed. And at times, it’s about getting your hands dirty and tackling tasks head-on.

If you need a Chief of Staff with vision, decisiveness, and backbone, we should connect.

What’s stopping you from calling me today? I look forward to meeting you! #justcallmetoby

Tobias M. Zielke Chief of Staff