Executive Assistant vs Corporate Chief of Staff vs Director of Operations

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

Director of Operations: Oversees day-to-day operational activities within an organization

Reporting Relationship:

Executive Assistant: Reports directly to the executive they support

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

Director of Operations: Typically reports to the COO or CEO

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

Director of Operations: Broad operational scope, including managing resources, processes, and budgets

Decision-Making Authority:

Executive Assistant: Limited to administrative decisions

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

Director of Operations: Considerable operational decision-making authority

Strategic Planning:

Executive Assistant: Limited involvement, support capacity

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

Director of Operations: Participates in operational strategy and its execution

Team Management:

Executive Assistant: Manages administrative staff

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

Director of Operations: Oversees operational teams and departments

Meeting Involvement:

Executive Assistant: Scheduling, preparing materials, taking minutes

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

Director of Operations: Leads operational meetings and strategy sessions

Project Management:

Executive Assistant: Manages small projects within their role

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

Director of Operations: Responsible for operational project oversight

Communication:

Executive Assistant: Facilitates internal communication

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

Director of Operations: Oversees operational communication within the organization

Professional Development:

Executive Assistant: Focused on improving administrative and organizational skills

Corporate Chief of Staff: Enhances corporate management and strategic skills

Director of Operations: Focuses on operational management and process improvement