Family Office Chief of Staff: salary, job description and hiring

The chief of staff manages the principal's priorities, projects, properties and people. It's part operator, part adviser and part gatekeeper.

Family Office Chief of Staff salary

We estimate $150K–$250K base salary for a chief of staff at a US single family office managing $250M–$1B, with a typical bonus of 15–30%. Smaller offices pay about 15% less and $1B+ offices about 20% more.

Chief of staff salary by city

Family Office Chief of Staff job description

• Run the principal's calendar, priorities and follow-ups
• Manage household staff, properties and vendors
• Lead special projects such as moves, renovations and events
• Coordinate between advisers and family members
• Keep sensitive matters confidential

Skills and background

• Project management
• Judgment and discretion
• Managing people and vendors
• Clear communication
• Calm under pressure

Typical background: 8+ years, often from management consulting, investment banking, the military or a chief of staff role for a senior executive.

Chief of staff interview questions

1. How would you organize the principal's first 30 days with you?
2. Tell me about a time you had to say no to a powerful person.
3. How do you prioritize when three family members need something at once?
4. What does discretion mean to you in practice?

More in our guide to family office interview questions.

How we recruit a chief of staff

We run retained searches for this role: a brief with you (and the principal where it matters), a shortlist of three to five vetted candidates, confidential interviews, and support through the offer and the first 90 days. Start a search.

Questions