Executive Assistant vs Corporate Chief of Staff vs Communications Director

Primary Role:

Executive Assistant: Administrative and organizational support for executives

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

Communications Director: Oversees internal and external communication strategies

Reporting Relationship:

Executive Assistant: Reports directly to the executive they support

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

Communications Director: Reports to CEO or executive leadership

Scope of Responsibilities:

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

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

Communications Director: Manages all aspects of communication, including media relations and corporate messaging

Decision-Making Authority:

Executive Assistant: Limited to administrative decisions

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

Communications Director: Significant in communication-related decisions

Strategic Planning:

Executive Assistant: Limited involvement, support capacity

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

Communications Director: Involved in planning and executing communication strategies

Team Management:

Executive Assistant: Manages administrative staff

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

Communications Director: Leads the communications team

Meeting Involvement:

Executive Assistant: Scheduling, preparing materials, taking minutes

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

Communications Director: Leads communication strategy meetings

Project Management:

Executive Assistant: Manages small projects within their role

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

Communications Director: Manages communication-related projects

Communication:

Executive Assistant: Facilitates internal communication

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

Communications Director: Oversees all communication activities and strategies

Professional Development:

Executive Assistant: Focused on improving administrative and organizational skills

Corporate Chief of Staff: Enhances corporate management and strategic skills

Communications Director: Grows in communication strategy and leadership