Our first interview is with a former management consultant. They explain their role as a strategic assistant and provide you with tips.
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The CEOs of many leading companies employ a ‘Strategic Assistant’ as a right-hand. They are the CEO’s eyes, ears and problem-solver across the business. They are often called ‘Chief of Staff’ or ‘Business / Commercial Assistant’.
This sounds like a fascinating role – but it’s difficult to picture exactly what it entails and therefore whether it might be a good option for you. Fear not – help is on hand! We’ve been busy interviewing successful young professionals who are currently in this job. We’ll publish a series of articles in which they will bring the role – good bits and bad bits – to life.
Our first interview, below, is with a former management consultant.
I work on multiple projects (either strategic long-term projects or else taking control of urgent issues that are troubling the Board), acting as a “gatekeeper” to the CEO, trying to resolve problems that don’t need a lot of his/her attention, and finally to ensure that various departments are working collaboratively by making connections that otherwise wouldn’t be made. This is my experience but the ‘Strategic Assistant’ role is very fluid, almost by definition, and will probably vary from company to company.
I love the varied nature of the role, the insight that it gives you into running a business as the CEO, and that you get to build relationships across the organization.
Some of the downsides are that you don’t have your own P&L, nor a large team to manage, or any direct line of control and that you can be pulled from project to project.
Since taking on the role, I have much more credibility as an “industry” person rather than a “consultant”. I also have an appreciation and some experience in just about every role in a company in my industry. With this experience behind me, it makes me feel quite comfortable taking on a senior management role.
We regularly publish up-to-date articles to keep you up-to-date on the market and our work.
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