Executive Assistant vs Chief of Staff in Large Corporations vs Chief of Staff at HoldCo

Primary Role:

Executive Assistant: Administrative and organizational support for executives

Chief of Staff in Large Corporations: Similar to Startup Chief of Staff, but in a larger corporate context

Chief of Staff at HoldCo: Strategic and operational advisor, focusing on portfolio management

Reporting Relationship:

Executive Assistant: Reports directly to the executive they support

Chief of Staff in Large Corporations: Reports to a senior executive, often CEO

Chief of Staff at HoldCo: Reports to HoldCo executive, possibly CEO or board

Scope of Responsibilities:

Executive Assistant: Focused on day-to-day tasks and administrative duties

Chief of Staff in Large Corporations: Wide-ranging, encompassing strategic and operational tasks in a large corporation

Chief of Staff at HoldCo: Overseeing operations and strategy across the portfolio of companies

Decision-Making Authority:

Executive Assistant: Limited to administrative decisions

Chief of Staff in Large Corporations: Significant, often with a focus on corporate strategy and policy

Chief of Staff at HoldCo: Considerable, influencing decisions across the portfolio

Strategic Planning:

Executive Assistant: Limited involvement, support capacity

Chief of Staff in Large Corporations: Integral to corporate strategy development and execution

Chief of Staff at HoldCo: Involved in strategic planning for the holding company and its entities

Team Management:

Executive Assistant: Manages administrative staff

Chief of Staff in Large Corporations: Manages or coordinates with corporate teams and departments

Chief of Staff at HoldCo: Coordinates across various management teams within the portfolio

Meeting Involvement:

Executive Assistant: Scheduling, preparing materials, taking minutes

Chief of Staff in Large Corporations: Prominent in corporate meetings, often representing or preparing the executive

Chief of Staff at HoldCo: Involved in high-level meetings, providing insights and alignment

Project Management:

Executive Assistant: Manages small projects within their role

Chief of Staff in Large Corporations: Manages complex, multi-departmental corporate projects

Chief of Staff at HoldCo: Oversees projects that affect multiple companies within the portfolio

Communication:

Executive Assistant: Facilitates internal communication

Chief of Staff in Large Corporations: Crucial in corporate communication, internally and externally

Chief of Staff at HoldCo: Facilitates communication across the portfolio and with external stakeholders

Professional Development:

Executive Assistant: Focused on improving administrative and organizational skills

Chief of Staff in Large Corporations: Enhances skills in corporate leadership and management

Chief of Staff at HoldCo: Develops expertise in portfolio management and strategic oversight