Chiefs of Staff are like air traffic controllers for organizations - they turn strategy into action, bridge gaps between teams, and keep everyone aligned towards the same destination.

Often, they lead high-impact initiatives that drive key business goals.

Here’s why this role is taking off 🛫:

📊 Performance is front and center — CoS ensures teams are locked into strategic goals.

🎯 Leaner management layers = executives are juggling more — CoS helps drive execution, boost revenue, and hit profitability targets.

It’s important to distinguish between an operations role and a Chief of Staff role.

While operations focus on day-to-day processes and efficiency, a Chief of Staff operates strategically, aligning functions and driving key initiatives.

Market data for functional CoS roles is still evolving — salary ranges are all over the place, especially given how new these positions are newer than the traditional org-wide CoS roles.

At Kamsa, we’re tracking how this role’s scope, value, and pay are shifting across industries, company sizes, and functional areas.

💡 Is it time for a Chief of Staff?

Below are questions to help you decide whether a CoS is needed:

• Focus on Priorities – Are you stuck on B and C tasks instead of focusing on your A-list priorities?
• White Space – Do you have enough breathing room to plan ahead, or are you constantly playing catch-up?
• Information Flow – Are you getting the right info when making key decisions — or do surprise facts pop up after the fact?
• Preparedness – Do you walk into important meetings feeling fully prepped, or do decisions feel rushed without time to weigh the ripple effects?
• Problem Detection – Are problems spotted early, or do major issues seem to explode out of nowhere — catching even senior folks off guard?
• Politics & Culture – Are internal politics or siloed teams slowing things down and blocking progress?
• Follow-through – When you delegate or ask for updates, do you trust follow-ups will happen — or do you find yourself chasing people?

Are you currently leveraging or considering a functional CoS?

What value has this brought to your business? Or, what’s driving your consideration?