I've been getting questions about non-linear career paths lately. People asking: "What if I haven't followed a traditional route?" "What roles are open to people with varied backgrounds?"
Here's what I'll tell you: the myth of a singular career path is exactly that. A myth. When you actually look at most people's careers, you see twists and turns. A consultant who became a founder. A teacher who moved into operations. An analyst who ended up leading strategy. That's not the exception. That's the norm.
And there's one role that's designed for exactly this kind of background: Chief of Staff.
What Chief of Staff roles actually do
Chief of Staff roles sit at the intersection of strategy, operations, and communication. You're the right hand to a senior executive (CEO, COO, Dean, etc.), which means you're:
Translating strategic vision into operational reality
Managing cross-functional projects that don't fit neatly into one department
Identifying problems before they become crises
Communicating on behalf of leadership across the organization
Making decisions when information is incomplete
It's a role that requires you to move fast, think strategically, and connect dots that others miss.
Why non-linear careers are an advantage here
Chief of Staff roles don't have a standard training path. There's no "Chief of Staff degree." What makes someone successful in this role is exposure to different functions, the ability to learn quickly, and understanding how different parts of an organization work together.
If you've worked in consulting, then operations, then strategy, you're not "all over the place." You understand multiple perspectives. If you've done project management, then moved into partnerships, then took on a strategic role, you know how to navigate ambiguity. That's exactly what this role requires.
Companies are increasingly hiring Chief of Staff roles because they need people who can operate across silos. Your non-linear path isn't a liability. It's your competitive advantage.
10 Roles Hiring Now
$103K–$325K • Remote, Hybrid, On-site
Top Comp
Strada Education Foundation
Chief of Staff
Washington, DC | Hybrid
$275K–$325K
Best Fit If You Have
Strategic planning • Nonprofit leadership • Executive communication • Stakeholder management • Education policy experience
National Women's Law Center
Chief of Staff
Washington, DC
$238K–$274K
Best Fit If You Have
Advocacy experience • Policy knowledge • Organizational strategy • Cross-functional leadership • Mission-driven work background
Juniper Square
Chief of Staff
Remote or SF
$230K–$275K
Best Fit If You Have
Tech/fintech experience • Operations • Strategic initiatives • Startup scaling experience • Executive support
Industrious
Chief of Staff
NYC
$200K–$230K
Best Fit If You Have
Real estate/hospitality knowledge • Strategic operations • Executive partnership • High-growth company experience • Cross-functional coordination
Equinix
Chief of Staff, Digital GTM & Digital Operations
Dallas, TX
$177K–$265K
Best Fit If You Have
Go-to-market strategy • Digital transformation • Operations management • Tech infrastructure knowledge • Executive communication
Coinbase
Chief of Staff to the COO
Remote
$176K–$207K
Best Fit If You Have
Crypto/fintech experience • Operational excellence • Strategic thinking • Fast-paced environment adaptability • Executive support
Nory
Chief of Staff
Hybrid in NY
$175K–$250K
Best Fit If You Have
Startup experience • Operations • Strategic planning • Cross-functional project management • Tech company background
Capital One
Manager, Chief of Staff (Intelligent Foundations and Experiences)
New York, NY
$173K–$197K
Best Fit If You Have
Financial services background • Program management • Product operations • Stakeholder alignment • Corporate environment experience
IMC (Global Trading Firm)
Chief of Staff
Chicago
$150K–$200K
Best Fit If You Have
Finance/trading knowledge • High-pressure environment experience • Analytical thinking • Operations • Executive support in technical fields
Georgetown University
Chief of Staff, Dean's Office - College of Arts & Sciences
DC Area
$104K–$203K
Best Fit If You Have
Higher education experience • Academic operations • Strategic planning • Faculty/dean support • Mission-driven environment background
A note on applying:
Remember: no job description has a 100% skills match. If you meet 50% of the criteria and the role excites you, apply. Chief of Staff roles are looking for people who can think strategically and move fast, not people who check every single box.
I'm not a recruiter, so apply directly with the company. If a role is no longer listed or the link doesn't work, go to the company's careers page and search there.
Jacqueline
P.S. If you know someone navigating a non-linear career path, share this with them. These roles are made for people like us.