At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the CEO in strategic initiatives and streamline operations for our EdTech startup.
- Company: Join Trellis, an innovative EdTech startup transforming education with AI.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible work arrangements, and a chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Work closely with the CEO and enjoy a values-driven, supportive culture.
- Why this job: Be part of a mission-driven team improving education and reducing teacher burnout.
- Qualifications: Experience in strategy, operations, or consulting; passion for education and ethical AI.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 55000 £ per year.
Location: London (at least 2 days/week in-person), with occasional travel
Compensation: £50,000 – £55,000 per year starting salary dependent on experience
Role type: Full-time
Who We Are
Trellis is an early-stage EdTech startup on a mission to streamline admin and support learning. Our AI-powered platform tackles one of the biggest drivers of teacher burnout: support planning meetings and related paperwork for learners with Additional Support Needs (SEND in England). We’re backed by the Scottish Government’s innovation programme, CivTech, and Learning Directorate.
Our approach is rooted in Human-in-Command. We use secure AI as a background assistant to transcribe meetings, draft Child’s Plans compliant with government frameworks, and generate meeting minutes. We’ve already returned several hundreds of hours back to staff so they can focus on what matters most: spending time with children and families.
We’re a tight-knit team guided by our values of empathy, craftsmanship, and integrity. Having just wrapped up a highly successful pilot across 7 Scottish local authorities - scaling to 78 schools, saving teachers an average of 57 minutes per meeting write-up, and cutting document distribution times from 12 days to 5 - we are now preparing for rapid national scale-up.
The Role
This is a critical role designed to directly enable our CEO, Andy. As Chief of Staff, you will act as Andy’s force multiplier and sounding board. You’ll be laying the essential groundwork for thorny, complex commercial and operational initiatives, helping to set company strategy and turn it into structured execution. You’ll take ownership of processes that keep Trellis running smoothly, allowing Andy to focus on high-level vision, key partnerships, and leading our team.
Key Responsibilities
- Commercial & sales operations: Do the heavy lifting on sales support - from drafting and reviewing contracts, pricing models, and data protection/compliance paperwork to prepping materials for sales pitches and partnership negotiations.
- Financial management & reviews: Work alongside our Accountant to manage financial models, run routine financial reviews, and support budget planning.
- People & Operations leadership: Partner with Andy and an HR advisor on team-wide initiatives, including recruitment, pay frameworks, team meet-ups and All Hands.
- Bids & fundraising: Lead the preparation and drafting of public sector tenders, grant applications, and equity fundraising materials.
- Governance & comms: Help prepare board decks and strategy materials, and draft key internal & external communications regarding major updates.
- Additional support: Provide high-level escalation support on customer queries when required, and help prepare or attend key industry events.
Note: You won't have direct reports on day one, but there is scope to take on line management responsibilities as our operational structures grow, if you wish to develop in that direction.
What You Bring
We are looking for someone who combines strategic sharpness with a total lack of ego and willingness to roll their sleeves up:
- Business strategy experience: Proven track record in strategy and operations - either as a management consultant, an in-house strategy/ops lead, or an entrepreneur. (Ideally, you have a blend of consulting and startup/scale-up experience, but we’d love to hear from you if you have strong experience in just one).
- Mission alignment: You care deeply about improving education, reducing workplace stress for teachers, and building responsible, ethical AI tools.
- Unstructured problem solving: You thrive when given a complex, ambiguous problem (like navigating regional data protection rules or public procurement frameworks) and can turn it into an organised, implementable proposal fast.
- Commercial & financial acumen: Comfortable working with spreadsheets, financial models, legal contracts, and compliance frameworks.
- Communication: Outstanding written and verbal skills to build trust quickly with internal team members, government stakeholders, school leaders and funders.
Desirable (Nice to have, but not essential): Experience working in the education system in England - whether that's through teaching, SEND support, EdTech, or education policy.
Why Join Us
- Tangible impact: Our tool is already changing teachers' lives - reducing overtime, boosting wellbeing, and getting support to vulnerable children weeks faster.
- At the forefront of responsible AI: We’re proving that the biggest wins for AI in public services happen behind the scenes, earning national recognition and awards.
- Growth & trust: You will work directly alongside Andy (CEO), with full visibility into how an early-stage EdTech scales from 7 local authorities to full national reach.
- Values-driven culture: We run a transparent, blind hiring process, consult the team on key frameworks, and maintain high standards of integrity and psychological safety.
- Flexibility: While we value in-person collaboration at our London base in Angel (minimum 2 days/week), we are flexible about how you structure your time around project needs.
Trellis is committed to equality and welcomes applications from all backgrounds. We particularly encourage applications from individuals with lived experience of additional support needs / SEND in their schooling.
Unfortunately we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this position.
Chief of Staff in London employer: Trellis
Trellis is an innovative EdTech startup that offers a dynamic work environment in the heart of London, fostering collaboration and creativity. As a Chief of Staff, you will benefit from a culture that prioritises employee growth, providing ample opportunities for professional development while working alongside passionate teams dedicated to making a meaningful impact in education. With a focus on strategic execution and a supportive atmosphere, Trellis stands out as an excellent employer for those looking to contribute to transformative projects.
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 Trellis!
✨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 Trellis 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 Trellis 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 Trellis!
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 Trellis. 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 Trellis
✨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 Trellis. 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!
