Executive Assistant vs Chief Operating Officer (COO) vs Corporate Chief of Staff

Primary Role:

Executive Assistant: Administrative and organizational support for executives

Chief Operating Officer (COO): Manages day-to-day operations of the company

Corporate Chief of Staff: Strategic partner within a corporate environment, focusing on alignment and execution of goals

Reporting Relationship:

Executive Assistant: Reports directly to the executive they support

Chief Operating Officer (COO): Typically reports to CEO or President

Corporate Chief of Staff: Reports to a senior corporate executive, often the CEO

Scope of Responsibilities:

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

Chief Operating Officer (COO): Oversees all operational activities (finance, HR, etc.)

Corporate Chief of Staff: Similar to Startup Chief of Staff, but tailored to the corporate context

Decision-Making Authority:

Executive Assistant: Limited to administrative decisions

Chief Operating Officer (COO): Significant authority over operations

Corporate Chief of Staff: Significant in corporate strategy and internal alignment

Strategic Planning:

Executive Assistant: Limited involvement, support capacity

Chief Operating Officer (COO): Involved in the strategic planning process and responsible for implementing the strategy at an operational level

Corporate Chief of Staff: Involved in developing and implementing corporate strategy

Team Management:

Executive Assistant: Manages administrative staff

Chief Operating Officer (COO): Manages multiple teams or departments across the organization

Corporate Chief of Staff: Manages or coordinates with corporate teams and departments

Meeting Involvement:

Executive Assistant: Scheduling, preparing materials, taking minutes

Chief Operating Officer (COO): Often leads meetings related to operations and strategy implementation

Corporate Chief of Staff: Active in corporate meetings, often representing or preparing the executive

Project Management:

Executive Assistant: Manages small projects within their role

Chief Operating Officer (COO): Oversees large-scale projects that affect multiple areas of the company

Corporate Chief of Staff: Leads corporate projects, especially strategic initiatives

Communication:

Executive Assistant: Facilitates internal communication

Chief Operating Officer (COO): Responsible for communicating decisions and strategies to the teams they manage and the broader organization

Corporate Chief of Staff: Facilitates corporate communication, both internally and externally

Professional Development:

Executive Assistant: Focused on improving administrative and organizational skills

Chief Operating Officer (COO): Focuses on the professional development of the teams they manage

Corporate Chief of Staff: Enhances corporate management and strategic skills