At a Glance
- Tasks: Partner with the CFO to drive strategic priorities and ensure smooth operations.
- Company: Lila Sciences, a dynamic company focused on growth and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, equity options, comprehensive benefits, and flexible time off.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with opportunities for significant career advancement.
- Why this job: Shape the future of finance and operations while working closely with senior leadership.
- Qualifications: 7+ years in business operations or strategy with strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 153000 - 240000 £ per year.
Lila Sciences is seeking a high-judgment Chief of Staff to partner with our Chief Financial Officer across the financial, people, operating, and strategic priorities that support the company's next stage of growth. This role sits at the centre of the CFO's portfolio, helping ensure the most important work is prioritised, advanced, and followed through with speed and discipline.
The Chief of Staff will help shape how the CFO's time, attention, and operating cadence are directed across Finance, HR, Marketing, Operations, and Strategy. They will prepare the CFO for key decisions, drive follow-up with internal teams and external partners, and keep critical company workstreams moving across functions. The right person brings structure to ambiguity, communicates clearly, handles sensitive information with discretion, and knows how to move work forward without creating unnecessary process.
What You'll Be Building
- Partner with the CFO to prioritise the highest-leverage work across finance, people, operations, strategy, and marketing.
- Shape the CFO's operating cadence, including key meetings, planning cycles, decision points, and follow-up.
- Prepare materials, context, and recommendations for leadership discussions, vendor conversations, and operating reviews.
- Track and advance CFO-owned projects from open question to decision, execution, and closure.
- Drive follow-up with vendors, external partners, and internal stakeholders on priorities tied to company operations.
- Coordinate across Finance, HR, Legal, Marketing, Operations, and Strategy to clarify ownership and next steps.
- Identify stalled work, unresolved decisions, or unclear handoffs, then escalate or resolve appropriately.
- Draft crisp decision notes, meeting follow-ups, operating updates, and executive communications.
- Maintain visibility across the CFO's portfolio so priorities, dependencies, and risks are clear.
- Bring structure and momentum to fast-moving work while preserving speed and flexibility.
What You'll Need to Succeed
- 7+ years of experience in a Chief of Staff, business operations, strategy, finance, people operations, consulting, or executive operating role.
- Track record supporting senior leaders through complex, cross-functional execution.
- Strong business judgment across finance, people, operations, vendors, and company planning.
- Ability to turn ambiguous priorities into clear workstreams, owners, decisions, and follow-up.
- Excellent written communication, including executive updates, decision notes, and follow-up materials.
- Strong discretion and judgment when handling sensitive finance, people, vendor, and company information.
- Comfort operating in a fast-paced environment where priorities shift quickly.
- Bias to action, strong follow-through, and the confidence to push for clarity when needed.
Bonus Points For
- Experience supporting a CFO, COO, Chief People Officer, or executive with a broad operating portfolio.
- Familiarity with budgeting, planning, procurement, vendor management, people operations, or company operating rhythms.
- Background in strategic finance, business operations, consulting, or executive operations.
- Experience in a startup or high-growth company where processes and infrastructure were still being built.
- Familiarity with tools such as Notion, Slack, Google Workspace, Greenhouse, HiBob, Ramp, NetSuite, or similar systems.
Compensation
We offer competitive base compensation with bonus potential and generous early-stage equity. Your final offer will reflect your background, expertise, and expected impact.
U.S. Benefits
Full-time U.S. employees receive a comprehensive benefits program including medical, dental, and vision coverage; employer-paid life and disability insurance; flexible time off with generous company-wide holidays; paid parental leave; an educational assistance program; commuter benefits, including bike share memberships for office-based employees; and a company subsidised lunch program.
International Benefits
Full-time employees outside the U.S. receive a comprehensive benefits program tailored to their region. USD salary ranges apply only to U.S.-based positions; international salaries are set to local market.
Expected Base Salary Range $204,000 — $320,000 USD
We’re All In
Lila Sciences is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, colour, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status.
Chief of Staff to the CFO in Cambridge employer: Lilasciences
Lila Sciences is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and inclusive work culture, ideal for professionals seeking to make a significant impact in a high-growth environment. With a strong emphasis on employee development, competitive compensation, and comprehensive benefits, including flexible time off and educational assistance, Lila empowers its team members to thrive while collaborating closely with senior leadership across various functions. Located in a vibrant area, the company offers unique advantages such as commuter benefits and a subsidised lunch programme, making it an attractive place for those looking to advance their careers meaningfully.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief of Staff to the CFO in Cambridge
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We think you need these skills to ace Chief of Staff to the CFO in Cambridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Us Your Leadership Skills:In the corporate leadership and management field, it's essential to highlight your leadership experience. Use your CV to flesh out examples of how you've led teams to success or managed significant projects. We want to see specific instances where your actions made a tangible difference in your previous roles!
Quantify Your Achievements:Numbers talk, especially in management! When detailing your achievements in your CV or cover letter, don’t just say you improved team performance. Instead, say you boosted productivity by 30% over six months through effective strategy implementation. This makes your application pop and shows us what you can bring to Lilasciences.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to narrate your professional journey. We’re looking for motivation and a clear understanding of what corporate leadership means to you. Dive into your aspirations and how they align with the values and vision of Lilasciences. Make it personal – we want to get to know you!
Tailor Your CV for Management Roles:Ensure your CV reflects the management skills that are essential for this role. Focus on competencies like strategic planning, team building, and problem-solving. Use a clean layout, and don’t forget to align your experiences with those keywords mentioned in the job listing. This will help you stand out from the crowd!
How to prepare for a job interview at Lilasciences
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
You’ll want to thoroughly convey your unique approach to leadership. During the interview with Lilasciences, be ready to share real-life examples of how you've inspired and motivated teams in the past. Think about specific achievements that illustrate your strategic thinking and your ability to drive results.
✨Brush Up on Management Theories
Expect some technical questions related to management theories and practices. Brush up on concepts like transformational leadership, servant leadership, or situational leadership. Be prepared to discuss how you would apply these theories to the role at Lilasciences, especially in the specific context of the challenges they’re currently facing.
✨Craft Your Vision for the Company
Since this is a full-time leadership role, spending time thinking about your vision for Lilasciences could really set you apart. Consider potential strategies for growth and how you would lead teams towards achieving them. This shows not just enthusiasm, but also strategic foresight that they’ll likely be looking for in a candidate.
✨Emphasise Team Dynamics and Culture
In corporate leadership, team dynamics and organisational culture are everything. Be ready to discuss how you've fostered a positive work environment in previous roles. Bring up examples of how you've managed diverse teams effectively—this will resonate well at Lilasciences as they’re likely seeking a candidate who can enhance their workplace culture.
