We free hostages—CEOs who have become consumed by their businesses.

If you are running out of bandwidth, you need a strategic right-hand who takes care of the critical tasks so your team stays aligned, and you can focus on growing the business, not babysitting it

Are you an SMB founder who...

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The fractional phase lets you experience the value of a chief of staff before making a permanent hire, significantly de-risking the investment.

When you founded your company or became CEO, you had dreams of building a successful, thriving business with talented team members working together toward a shared vision. But when you look around the company now, it’s not running like you imagined it would.

We provide a smooth transition from assessment -> fractional -> permanent. It’s not three separate services, but one integrated system. Our system combines and controls separate key elements in the process: assessing changes needed, bringing in a fractional chief of staff to implement said changes, and then placing the ideal chief of staff using our headhunter expert.

And as you’ll see, it frees your time to lead and gives you a highly-qualified chief of staff.

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Why work with
Vertical Elevation?

For over 30 years, we have successfully partnered with founders and CEOs across various industries in the SMB space. Our CEO, Carol Schultz, is a thought leader featured in Inc Magazine, Fast Company, Forbes, and a best-selling author.

Are you ready to start working
ON your business rather than
IN your business?

Here’s how it works

Schedule a discovery call

We’ll get to know your goals and determine if we’re the right fit

Discuss your leadership and company structure

We’ll talk through what’s working and not working in your company

Create the roadmap to build your talent-centric strategy

When new talent is positioned to win, you win

We’ve helped hundreds of companies
transform their organization

After more than 30 years working with hundreds of companies in the SMB space, we’ve witnessed just about every mistake it’s possible to make, so we’ve built a process that we customize to your needs and requirements. Best of all, our process is industry-agnostic. Schedule a discovery call to find out.

Real Estate

Software Technology

Proptech

Finance

Fintech

Start your company transformation today

Our proactive approach will take you from deep operational noise to industry leaders

FAQs

What does a Chief of Staff (CoS) do?

The CoS acts as a strategic advisor, integrator, and force multiplier for the executive (typically the CEO). Responsibilities include prioritizing initiatives, managing cross-functional projects, facilitating leadership meetings, filtering communications, and ensuring organizational alignment. 

How is a CoS different from a COO or Executive Assistant (EA)?
  1. A CoS focuses on strategy and execution, while an EA focuses on scheduling and administrative tasks.  
  1. A CoS operates as the executive’s proxy (tactical/adaptive), while a COO owns operational outcomes (P&L, teams). 

 

Who does the CoS report to?

Typically to the CEO, though in large organizations other CXOs may have a chief of staff. 

What skills are critical for success?
  1. Strategic thinking 
  2. Exceptional communication & diplomacy
  3. Project/program management
  4. Emotional intelligence
  5. Adaptability & discretion
  6. Ability to navigate ambiguity 
In which industries/companies is this role common?

Tech startups, government, military, large corporations (especially during transitions), nonprofits, and fast-growing companies. 

How does the CoS drive strategic initiatives?

By owning the planning/execution of CEO priorities: setting timelines, removing roadblocks, aligning resources, putting systems in place, and reporting progress. 

What is the CoS’s role in leadership meetings?

There are situations when the CoS will run meetings in place of the CEO. In cases when the CEO is running meetings, the CoS will design agendas, pre-align  stakeholders, capture decisions/actions, and ensure follow-through. They often act as a facilitator or “synthesizer.” 

How does the CoS improve organizational efficiency?

Identifying process bottlenecks, streamlining communication flows (e.g., replacing meetings with async updates), building talent strategies, and coaching teams on prioritization. 

Is the CoS role a temporary or long-term position?

It depends: Smaller, fast growth companies typically begin with a fractional CoS to determine what they need before moving to a full-time CoS; some use it as a shorter leadership accelerator; others build long-term “right-hand” partnerships. 

What should I look for when hiring a CoS?

Culture-fit with the CEO, ability to navigate politics, bias toward action, and resilience under pressure. Past exposure to high-stakes environments is a plus. 

When should I hire a CoS?

When you’re: 

  1. Spending >/=25% of your time on low-value tasks (scheduling, follow-ups, admin).
  2. Struggling to align leadership teams or execute top priorities.
  3. Scaling rapidly (startups) or navigating complex changes (mergers, acquisitions, reorganizations).
  4. Feeling bottlenecked in decision-making or communication flows. 

 

What tangible benefits will a CoS bring?
  1. Time recovery: Free on average  50% of time weekly for strategic work.
  2. Faster execution: Drive key initiatives with dedicated oversight.
  3. Improved alignment: Resolve cross-functional friction and silos.
  4. Risk mitigation: Flag cultural/operational issues early.
  5. Communication: Improved productivity and culture. 
Couldn’t an EA, COO, or Strategy VP do this?
  1. EA: Manages your calendar/logistics; CoS manages your agenda/priorities.
  2. COO: Owns operations/P&L; CoS owns your effectiveness & strategic flow.
  3. Strategy VP: Delivers analysis; CoS ensures implementation. 
What core domains should the CoS own?
  1. Your priorities: Track progress and remove roadblocks.
  2. Leadership cadence: Design and run leadership meetings & offsites.
  3. Communication: Draft critical messages (investors/board/organization).
  4. Special projects: Lead high-impact cross-functional initiatives.
  5. Talent Strategy: In some cases, the CoS will operate as the chief talent officer. 
Will the CoS undermine the existing leadership?

No, as long as you: 

  1. Clarify the CoS role as an integrator (not a decision-maker).
  2. Position them as a resource to your team (e.g., “They help us all win”).
  3. Encourage collaboration (e.g., CoS + department heads co-own projects). 
How do I empower my CoS without causing confusion?
  1. Publicly delegate the CoS: “Alex speaks for me on X, Y, Z.” 
  2. Private veto rights: Allow them to filter 80% of requests before they reach you. 
  3. Regular syncs: 15-min daily check-ins + weekly deep dives. 

How can we help you transform?

Partner with a fractional Chief of Staff

Our “Chief of Staff Scaffold System” addresses while implementing a framework for growth

Career Coaching

Our proprietary career coaching solution guides individuals through navigating a highly fluid and unpredictable employment environment.

Executive Leadership Coaching

We combine professional development with personal development to help people become better leaders and employees.

Women Ascending

Three 6-month leadership cohorts for emerging, mid-level, and executive female leaders.

Real work. Real results.

Hear from some of the business leaders who we’ve helped

Free Resource

5 Mistakes CEOs Make When Developing a Leadership Team

Bringing together the ideal leadership team is your top priority as your organization’s founder and/or CEO. You know that the top is where the tone is set for the entire system. The leading executives establish the protocols, rules, and vision. Employees are more likely to follow a united team. If there is a failure to bring on the right people, the negative repercussions will be felt throughout the company.