Chief of Staff

Contract Type: Permanent role

Location: Office Based, London

Salary: £60,000 - £80,000 per annum (DOE).

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Chief of Staff to join a specialist Executive Search firm based in London. In this newly created position, you will play a pivotal role in driving operational efficiency and strategic growth as the company continues to expand.

This role is ideal for individuals with prior experience as a Chief of Staff or equivalent expertise in a strategic Executive Assistant position. It may also appeal to experienced Operations Managers, Business Development Managers, or in-house Legal Recruiters looking to broaden their scope.

As Chief of Staff, you will be at the forefront of shaping the organisation’s future, streamlining workflows, enhancing internal capabilities, and helping the business reach new heights in its growth journey.

Key Responsibilities:

• Act as a trusted adviser to the Partners, providing insights and support on business operations, strategic priorities, and internal challenges
• Collaborate with the Partners to define and implement growth strategies, focusing on team development, operational excellence, and business scalability
• Represent the Partners in internal discussions when required, ensuring alignment on company goals and priorities
• Fulfil an intermediary role between the Partners and the junior team, facilitating communication, resolving conflicts, and ensuring smooth operations
• Manage the Partners' schedules and organise meetings with structured agendas to maintain focus and momentum on key objectives   
• Oversee day-to-day operations, ensuring the team has the tools, processes, and support needed to work effective
• Implement and maintain systems (e.g. CRMs, reporting tools) to optimise processes, data management, and workflow efficiency
• Lead the recruitment process for internal hires, collaborating with the Partners to define hiring strategy
• Oversee on-boarding for new hires, ensuring they are fully integrated into the business and set up for success
• Hire and manage an administrative assistant to provide critical support, such as scheduling, document management, and general administrative tasks
• Manage recruitment associates, providing mentorship and guidance (where appropriate) to enhance their performance and professional growth
• Develop and implement performance review processes
• Facilitate communication and collaboration across the team, ensuring alignment on objectives
• Identify opportunities for staff training and development
• Monitor and analyse key metrics to provide actionable insights
• Create regular performance reports for the Partners, highlighting successes and identifying areas for improvement
• Foster a collaborative, high-performing culture by organising team initiatives, encouraging open communication, and proactively addressing internal challenges
• Reinforce the company’s values, mission, and goals through consistent messaging and team-building efforts

Person Specification:

• Proven experience in operations, strategy, or team management within recruitment, legal services or professional services
• Familiarity with high-touch client service environments
• Hands-on approach and ability to thrive in a small, entrepreneurial team
• Strong understanding of recruitment technology (CRMs, LinkedIn Recruiter, analytics tools)
• Effective communication and stakeholder management skills
• Exposure to the legal industry or professional services sector is a strong advantage

This excellent opportunity is ideal for an ambitious Chief of Staff, looking to join a professional, agile and visionary team who place huge emphasis on culture and collaboration.

Lily Shippen's business support team are experts in recruiting top secretarial, office administration and business support talent, including Personal Assistant's, Executive Assistants, Private PAs, and Office Managers, on a temporary, permanent, and fixed-term contract basis. We work with clients across the United Kingdom, from our offices in London and Manchester, as well as servicing international and remote roles.