At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the CEO Office, drive strategic initiatives, and support executive decision-making.
- Company: Join a dynamic organisation at the heart of strategic leadership.
- Benefits: Competitive salary and the chance to shape business priorities.
- Other info: Unique opportunity for career growth in a fast-paced environment.
- Why this job: Be a trusted advisor to the CEO and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in senior leadership roles and strong stakeholder management skills.
The predicted salary is between 90000 - 110000 £ per year.
- What you'll bring to the team
- Chief of Staff to the CEO
- Overview
We are seeking an exceptional Chief of Staff to partner directly with our CEO and Executive Committee, driving organisational effectiveness, strategic execution, and leadership alignment across the business.
As a trusted advisor and critical partner to the CEO, you will lead the CEO Office, shape executive decision-making, coordinate enterprise-wide initiatives, and ensure the successful delivery of strategic priorities.
This highly influential leadership role sits at the centre of the organisation, bringing clarity, pace, and accountability to the CEO's agenda.
Success in this role will be built on strong judgement, credibility, influence, and the ability to work effectively with senior stakeholders across the business.
Key Responsibilities
- CEO Office Leadership
- Lead the day-to-day operation of the CEO Office and manage the CEO's strategic priorities and operating cadence.
- Coordinate Executive Committee meetings, leadership forums, strategic reviews, and key governance activities.
- Ensure the CEO is fully prepared for internal and external engagements.
- Optimise the CEO's time and effectiveness through proactive planning and prioritisation.
- Provide oversight of Executive Assistant and Personal Assistant support teams.
- Strategic Decision Support
- Provide analysis, challenge, insight, and commercial judgement to support executive decision-making.
- Develop business cases, assess risks and opportunities, and quality-assure information presented to the CEO.
- Facilitate informed decisions through effective stakeholder engagement and collaboration.
- Executive Committee & Strategy Execution
- Drive Executive Committee effectiveness through disciplined agenda management, decision tracking, and follow-through.
- Lead cross-functional strategic initiatives and transformation programmes.
- Remove barriers, manage interdependencies, and ensure delivery against organisational objectives.
- Hold leaders accountable for agreed actions and commitments.
- Board, Governance & Communications
- Support Board and Committee processes in partnership with the Company Secretary.
- Coordinate Board papers, executive presentations, and strategic updates.
- Prepare the CEO for Board, shareholder, and external stakeholder interactions.
- Draft leadership communications, presentations, speeches, and key messaging.
- Ensure alignment of strategic narrative and communications across the organisation.
- Operational Leadership
- Oversee Corporate Facilities operations across Arbor London.
- Provide leadership to Executive Assistant and Personal Assistant communities.
- Ensure support functions within the CEO Office deliver exceptional service standards.
About You
You will be a highly credible senior leader with
- Significant experience operating at Executive Committee or Board level.
- Exceptional strategic thinking, analytical capability, and business judgement.
- Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence without formal authority.
- Outstanding communication and relationship-building skills.
- Proven experience leading cross-functional initiatives and organisational change.
- The ability to operate with discretion, resilience, and sound judgement in a fast-paced environment.
This is a unique opportunity to work at the heart of the organisation, partnering closely with the CEO to shape business priorities, accelerate execution, and drive enterprise-wide impact.
Qualifications & Experience
- Significant experience working in a Chief of Staff, Strategy, Corporate Development, Consulting, Business Transformation, Operations, or senior leadership role.
- Experience supporting CEOs, Founders, Boards, or Executive leadership teams within complex organisations.
- Proven track record of leading enterprise-wide initiatives and strategic programmes.
- Experience operating within highly matrixed, multi-site, and international organisations.
- Strong commercial understanding and ability to balance strategic and operational considerations.
- Degree-level qualification or equivalent professional experience.
Benefits
- Pay Range
- Competitive
Chief of Staff to the CEO employer: Merlin Entertainments
At LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture where creativity and teamwork thrive. As a Housekeeping Twilight Team Leader, you'll enjoy a range of benefits including a generous discount on LEGO products, access to Merlin attractions, and ongoing training opportunities to enhance your career in hospitality. Join us in creating magical experiences for families while developing your leadership skills in a fun and supportive environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief of Staff to the CEO
✨Get Involved in Industry Events
Jumping into industry events or leadership conferences can really help boost your visibility. Not only will you meet potential employers, but you’ll also get the chance to connect with other leaders in corporate management. Look for local or even virtual events that focus on leadership—every connection counts!
✨Engage in Professional Networks
Join professional management associations relevant to your career goals. These networks often host workshops, panels, and networking events that can put you in front of hiring managers. Plus, they can give you the scoop on upcoming roles, such as the full-time positions with companies like Merlin Entertainments.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
When reaching out to potential employers, particularly for leadership roles, demonstrate your leadership capabilities with real examples. Share stories from your previous positions that illustrate how you handled challenges and drove results. This will help you stand out when you apply to places like Merlin Entertainments.
✨Tailor Your LinkedIn Presence
Ensure your LinkedIn profile is specifically tailored to corporate leadership. Highlight achievements, showcase relevant content and engage with posts in management groups. This not only builds your credibility but keeps you on the radar of companies looking for candidates like you as they post full-time opportunities.
We think you need these skills to ace Chief of Staff to the CEO
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 Merlin Entertainments.
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 Merlin Entertainments. 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 Merlin Entertainments
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
You’ll want to thoroughly convey your unique approach to leadership. During the interview with Merlin Entertainments, 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 Merlin Entertainments, 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 Merlin Entertainments 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 Merlin Entertainments as they’re likely seeking a candidate who can enhance their workplace culture.
