At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead daily operations and turn the founder's vision into reality.
- Company: Join a dynamic early-stage startup with a visionary founder.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, equity options, and a hybrid work model.
- Other info: Opportunity to grow with the company and make a significant impact.
- Why this job: Be a key player in shaping a groundbreaking product and driving growth.
- Qualifications: Experience in startup environments and strong problem-solving skills.
The predicted salary is between 90000 - 120000 £ per year.
London | Full-time | Reporting directly to the Founder
Hybrid - Typically Monday & Tuesday in a Central London office location
Salary - Approx £90-120k, with equity.
About the Company
We're working confidentially with a very early-stage startup, building a data-driven product in a large, underserved market. The team is small and sharp: the founder (a second-time builder who has already built and exited one company), a tech lead, two founding engineers, and fractional back-office support. The founder is highly ambitious to get to Series A funding by next summer and have paying customers by Q4 this year.
This is a rare seat: joining while the product, the team, and the operating model are all still being built. Certainly an early stage for this level of role; but the Founder knows exactly the value this person would bring to him and the business.
The Role
We're hiring a Chief of Staff to work directly alongside the founder and take ownership of how the business runs day to day - not as a co-strategist, but as the person who turns intent into execution, structure, and momentum.
You'll take the lead on:
- Operationalising the business - building the systems, processes, and cadence that don't yet exist, at the right level of weight for each stage of the business
- Responsible capital deployment - helping decide how and where money gets spent as the business moves through its funding stages
- Building toward repeatability - putting in the measurement, tracking, and feedback loops that turn early traction into a provable, repeatable sales motion
- The Series A case - working with the founder to build the metrics and narrative that make the fundraise story credible
- Driving initiatives end-to-end - spotting what needs to happen and leading it, without waiting to be told
Who You Are
- Founder or founder-adjacent experience. You've been through the ambiguity, the pace, and the capital discipline of building something from very little, and you know what those challenges are without being told.
- Intuitive judgement over playbooks. You read a situation and know what it needs, rather than reaching for the same framework regardless of context.
- Genuinely curious. You're motivated by the underlying problem and the mechanics of building a repeatable business.
- Comfortable in ambiguity. Requirements will be incomplete and priorities will shift. You create progress anyway.
- High ownership and agency. You spot gaps and drive work forward without being directed or waiting for permission.
- Practical judgement. You know the difference between the pace this stage demands and the quality it can't afford to lose.
- Self-aware. You can speak plainly about your own strengths, weaknesses, and what you've learned from past mistakes.
- Mature collaborator. Genuinely comfortable being challenged hard on your own thinking.
- Compounding thinker. You leave things better than you found them - reusable systems, clear documentation, learnings.
A Note on Fit
A few things worth being upfront about:
- This sits alongside the founder, not above or in place of them - decisions on what gets built and the bar it needs to hit stay with them
- It's a builder's role, not a traditional EA or diary-management one
- It suits people who adapt their approach to the situation, rather than applying the same playbook everywhere
- It suits people who are happy moving forward on a rough brief and refining as they go, rather than waiting for a fully-formed one
If this sounds like you, please reach out to find out more.
Chief of Staff in London employer: Inara
Inara is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic work culture, encouraging innovation and collaboration among its team members. With a focus on employee growth, Inara offers ample opportunities for professional development in the rapidly evolving field of digital workplace solutions. Located in a vibrant area, employees benefit from a supportive environment that values work-life balance and provides access to cutting-edge technology.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief of Staff in London
✨Tip Number 1: Get Involved in Consulting Case Competitions
Look for case competitions hosted by universities and consulting firms. They’re a fab way to showcase your problem-solving skills and meet industry players. Plus, winning one can seriously boost your CV, which we know is key when applying for roles like Chief of Staff at Inara!
✨Tip Number 2: Leverage Alumni Networks
Tap into your university’s alumni network; many consultants love to help out new talent. Reach out to alumni who are working in management consulting, they might have insider knowledge about openings at firms like Inara or be willing to refer you for that Chief of Staff position!
✨Tip Number 3: Attend Industry Events and Conferences
Keep an eye on management consulting events, workshops, or panels. These are prime opportunities to network with top professionals and get your name out there. You might even bump into someone from Inara who’s on the lookout for their next Chief of Staff star!
✨Tip Number 4: Polish Your Consulting Skills Online
Engage with online platforms that offer consulting simulations or courses. Prove your chops by completing relevant projects — this not only beefs up your experience but also gives you concrete examples to chat about during interviews for that full-time Chief of Staff role at Inara!
We think you need these skills to ace Chief of Staff in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Problem-Solving Skills:In management consulting, it's all about problem-solving—so make sure your CV highlights your analytical and critical thinking skills. Include examples from your studies or previous roles where you tackled complex issues or came up with innovative solutions. Quantify your achievements whenever possible to demonstrate your impact!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to explain why you're a perfect fit for the consulting world. Focus on your motivation for joining the industry and how your skills align with the requirements of the role at Inara. Remember to mention any relevant coursework or projects that showcase your understanding of strategic frameworks or business models!
Highlight Team Experience:Consultants often work in teams, so it's vital to showcase your collaborative skills. Include experiences where you've worked effectively with others, whether in academic group projects or internships. Discuss your role in the team and how you helped achieve common goals, demonstrating you can thrive in a consultancy environment.
Professionalise Your Online Presence:Make sure your LinkedIn and any other professional profiles are up to date, reflecting your career aspirations in management consulting. Connect with industry professionals and follow relevant groups—show you’re serious about entering this field. Applying through our website is a great way to get noticed, so showcase your personality and enthusiasm there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Inara
✨Master the Case Study Game
In management consulting, case study interviews are all the rage. Make sure to practice structuring your thoughts and analysing data on the fly. Use resources like example case studies to get comfortable with frameworks and solutions. Remember, it’s not just about getting the right answer but showcasing your thought process, so talk us through your reasoning!
✨Know Your Numbers
Be prepared for some numerical and analytical questions. Brush up on your mental math and be ready to interpret data from charts or graphs. We might throw some business scenarios at you that require a quick turnaround on numerical analysis, so practice these skills to feel confident and swift!
✨Show Your Leadership Flair
As this is a full-time role, we want to see your potential as a seasoned consultant. Be ready to discuss experiences where you've led a project or a team. Think about times you've influenced decisions or navigated challenges—this is your chance to show how you can thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
✨Be a Cultural Fit
We’re not just looking for brains; we want to see if you vibe with our company culture at Inara. Prepare to share how your values align with ours. Have a think about what makes a great team environment for you and how you can contribute to that. A good cultural fit goes a long way in management consulting!