Virtual Chief of Staff

Strategic partner handling operations, projects, and leadership support for CEOs

Startup Cost
$2,000-$6,000
Difficulty
Advanced
Time to Profit
8-15 months
Profit Potential
$7,500-$37,500/month

Overview

Virtual Chiefs of Staff charge $75-$200 per hour or $6,000-$20,000 monthly retainers.

Supporting 1-2 CEOs generates $90,000-$450,000 annually with 80-90% margins.

In 2025, growing companies hire remote Chiefs of Staff who act as strategic partners to CEOs, managing operations, leading special projects, coordinating leadership teams, and driving strategic initiatives.

Services include managing company operations and processes, leading cross-functional strategic projects, preparing board materials and investor updates, coordinating leadership team meetings and retreats, managing CEO's strategic priorities and OKRs, acting as CEO proxy in meetings, and driving organizational initiatives.

Successful virtual CoS typically have MBA or equivalent experience, strong business acumen, project management expertise, and ability to operate at strategic level.

Many have consulting backgrounds or prior operational leadership roles.

The key is becoming trusted strategic partner, understanding business deeply, and driving results on CEO's behalf.

Most work near-full-time arrangements with single CEOs.

High-value clients include startup founders scaling companies, CEOs of $10M-$100M businesses, and executives in hypergrowth companies.

Required Skills

  • Strategic Planning
  • Operations Management
  • Project Management
  • Business Analysis
  • Leadership Communication
  • MBA or Equivalent Experience

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Extremely high rates for strategic advisory role
  • Intellectually challenging strategic work
  • Direct impact on company growth and success
  • Build CEO relationships and business acumen
  • Remote work with significant autonomy

Cons

  • Requires extensive business and operations experience
  • Very high expectations and accountability
  • Long hours during critical business periods
  • Need deep industry and business knowledge
  • Can only serve 1-2 clients simultaneously

How to Get Started

  1. Build operations, strategy, or consulting experience (5-10 years)
  2. Develop project management and strategic planning expertise
  3. Create professional presence as strategic operations leader
  4. Build network in startup and growth company communities
  5. Target founders and CEOs of scaling companies ($5M-$50M)
  6. Position as strategic partner vs. traditional assistant
  7. Land first CEO client and deliver measurable business impact

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