Think you can replace a chief of staff with AI? CEOs say think again

The role of chief of staff has become increasingly strategic as businesses grow more complex, The New York Times reports. 

IMAX CEO Richard Gelfond, who has worked with chiefs of staff for 16 years, says the position has expanded from handling administrative tasks such as taking notes and managing schedules to helping shape strategy, coordinate major projects and execute company priorities. As organizations face challenges related to artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, geopolitics and cross-functional collaboration, demand for chiefs of staff has grown, with job postings increasing 85% since 2020.

Unlike executive assistants, chiefs of staff often serve as a leader’s “second brain,” helping determine priorities, coordinate across departments and provide trusted advice, with salaries typically ranging from $150,000 to more than $200,000 annually. Although they usually lack formal authority, they influence organizations by fostering communication, aligning teams and ensuring executives’ goals are carried out effectively. 

Many professionals view the position as a pathway to senior leadership because it offers broad exposure across an organization, and many former chiefs of staff have gone on to executive roles. While some leaders prefer to rely on AI tools or work directly with their teams instead of hiring a chief of staff, executives interviewed contend that AI cannot replace the judgment, strategic thinking and relationship building that effective chiefs of staff provide.

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