The Chief of Staff plays an important role in minimizing distractions and interruptions from the executive’s day by prioritizing, organizing, and executing on projects so they can focus on the vision and growth of the company. The Chief of Staff is able to bridge the gap between strategy and execution by transforming big-picture thinking into tangible, daily actions and facilitating cross-functional collaboration across the C-Suite and organization.

The Chief of Staff is able to flex in and out of functional areas as needed, but focuses primarily on strategic advising, business operations, and communication. This may look like hosting strategic planning sessions, identifying key initiatives and the critical path for success, identifying gaps in roles and responsibilities, tracking and reporting of performance through a Business Health Dashboard, launching the Rhythm of Business to create accountability, and more.

Typically, the Executive Assistant handles more tactical activities and is responsible for administrative tasks, meeting prep, note taking, follow up, and managing the executive’s calendar, expenses, and travel. Whereas the Chief of Staff has a more strategic focus and is responsible for identifying priority projects, delegating, cultivating and maintaining relationships with stakeholders and other executives, as well as planning, project management, and communication across departments.

The COS is the right hand to the leader they serve, whereas the COO serves the entire organization. The COS’s primary focus is maximizing their executive’s time and resources, while the COO is focused on doing the same throughout the entire organization. For instance, the COS typically stays behind the scenes while advising the CEO and helping them to be the most effective leader, whereas the COO is more outward facing both in and outside the organization. The COS and CEO usually share a team and it is uncommon for a COS to have direct reports, but it is common for the COO to have their own team, direct reports, and even their own COS.

Fractional workers are individuals who fulfill the roles and responsibilities of traditional positions for a “fraction” of the time a normal, full time employee would work. A key difference is that fractional hiring is not project-based and the time for which a person is contracted is usually more than a typical part-time work contract.

No, an interim employee, unlike a fractional employee, is someone who works full-time at a single company for a set period of time without becoming a long-term employee.

Fractional hiring gives companies access to skilled experts with deep industry experience and knowledge at a fraction of the cost as hiring a full-time employee. This is especially beneficial for early stage startups where budgets are tight and gaps are still being identified.

Fractional work provides flexibility to employees and often results in a healthier work-life-balance, which has been shown to increase productivity and engagement in the workplace. As fractional hires become more familiar with your organization over time, they are able to invest more time and attention to your business compared to a freelancer whose main goal is completing the scope of work or a specific project.

Rigorous Interview Process

We run a rigorous 3 round interview process, including a panel interview, business case presentation, reference and background check.

Tailored Contracts

We work with you to customize the Chief of Staff support you need. Our contracts are anywhere from 15 to 40 hours a week.

Ramp Up Quickly

Given our team’s seniority, consulting and project based background we are able to ramp up quickly using our customized 30, 60, 90-day onboarding guide.

Continuous Support

Chief of Staff Center of Excellence. Vannin provides centralized project management deliverables, systems and support for you and your Chief of Staff.

Our Chiefs of Staff have a wide range of experiences across industries, but we specialize in professional services companies and nonprofits in the early stages of growth and funding.

We work on all kinds of projects, both big and small, check out our recent case studies here.

With decades of corporate management consulting and Chief of Staff experience, we bring best in class business operations and project management methodologies to support you in your growth. We have a growing roster of the best of the best talent and provide you with a seasoned, master generalist who embraces change. We offer flexible contracts that can be personalized based on your specific needs and budget.