Chief of Staff

Chief of Staff/Executive Assistant to the CEO

Private Equity | Chicago, IL | On-Site, 5 Days per Week

About the Opportunity

A successful private equity firm is seeking a highly organized, proactive, and resourceful Chief of Staff to partner directly with the CEO. This individual will serve as a trusted right hand, helping maximize the CEO’s effectiveness across professional priorities, strategic initiatives, relationship management, and day-to-day operations.

This is a unique opportunity for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, high-expectation environment and enjoys operating at the intersection of business and executive support. The role requires exceptional judgment, discretion, and attention to detail, alongside the ability to anticipate needs, navigate competing priorities, and ensure every aspect of the CEO’s day runs seamlessly.

Beyond traditional executive support, the Chief of Staff will help create structure around the CEO’s priorities, coordinate key initiatives, manage important relationships, and curate highly personalized experiences. The ideal candidate is equal parts strategic thinker, operational problem-solver, and hands-on executor who takes pride in delivering exceptional results.

Key Responsibilities:

Executive Partnership & Strategic Coordination

• Serve as a trusted partner to the CEO, proactively managing priorities, anticipating needs, and ensuring time is allocated to the highest-impact activities
• Coordinate complex calendars, meetings, travel, and daily logistics while maintaining flexibility in response to shifting business demands
• Prepare the CEO for meetings and engagements by organizing relevant materials, synthesizing information, and ensuring key details are addressed in advance
• Track follow-ups, outstanding decisions, and action items to ensure commitments are executed and important priorities remain on track
• Act as a central point of coordination between the CEO, internal stakeholders, investment professionals, portfolio company executives, and external partners
• Support special projects and ad hoc initiatives requiring research, independent problem-solving, and thoughtful execution

Business Operations & Project Management

• Bring structure, organization, and accountability to evolving priorities, ensuring key initiatives move forward efficiently
• Conduct research and compile insights on companies, industries, market trends, individuals, and other topics relevant to the CEO’s interests and business objectives
• Coordinate cross-functional projects, manage timelines, and proactively identify potential challenges before they arise
• Develop systems and processes that improve organization, communication, and the overall effectiveness of the CEO’s office
• Manage sensitive information and communications with the highest level of discretion and professionalism

Relationship Management & Experience Curation

• Coordinate high-touch interactions with investors, founders, executives, and other important business relationships, ensuring every detail is thoughtfully managed
• Research and identify exceptional restaurants, private dining venues, hotels, and unique experiences based on preferences, occasion, location, and availability
• Secure sought-after reservations, coordinate last-minute changes, and develop creative solutions when preferred options are unavailable
• Curate tailored itineraries and experiences for business dinners, visiting executives, personal occasions, and other important engagements
• Maintain a strong network of hospitality contacts and service providers to facilitate seamless planning and access to unique experiences
• Anticipate preferences and proactively recommend opportunities that enhance the CEO’s schedule, relationships, and overall experience

Personal & Administrative Oversight

• Coordinate personal appointments, travel arrangements, household-related logistics, and other requests as needed
• Manage competing professional and personal priorities with sound judgment and a solutions-oriented approach
• Ensure all logistics are handled with precision, confidentiality, and minimal need for follow-up
• Remain flexible and responsive as priorities evolve throughout the day

The Ideal Candidate

• 4+ years of experience in Chief of Staff, executive support, business operations, private equity, professional services, hospitality, or a similarly high-touch environment
• Exceptional organizational skills and the ability to manage numerous priorities simultaneously without losing sight of the details
• A proactive, anticipatory mindset with a natural instinct for identifying needs and solving problems before they arise
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with the confidence to interact professionally with senior executives and high-profile stakeholders
• Strong research skills and an appreciation for thoughtful, highly personalized planning and experience curation
• Excellent judgment, discretion, and the ability to handle confidential business and personal matters
• A resourceful, service-oriented approach and willingness to roll up your sleeves to get things done
• Comfort operating in a demanding, fast-paced environment where priorities can shift quickly
• A polished, professional presence and an exceptionally high standard for execution
• Willingness to work on-site five days per week and provide flexibility when business or executive priorities require it

The Equus Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer and takes pride in maintaining a diverse environment. We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, or any other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.