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WDCNK? (what do caribbean nesties know)
It is possible, I am not sure how likely, that I will have an opportunity to go to work for one of our SVPs as his Chief of Staff. As far as i can tell it is a super smart admin/project based role. I would be responsible for one off projects in his group that aren't part of their main function, administrative duties for the group, being his proxy at meetings, and being the gatekeeper to his calendar (not like his secretary doing scheduling but being the person you have to convince you deserve a meeting or that I should bump something else to give you a slot).
I didn't even know jobs like this existed before I took the job I have now. I see some plusses to it. I like project based work. I get bored easily so having lots of different things to do works well for me. I like the group, they're smart and important but not snobby etc. I suspect it is a big pay bump up.
I see some negatives too. He's a very new SVP and is still getting his feet under him. He has never had a Chief of Staff before (nor has anyone in his group so it could be the blind leading the blind). Would he only pass the really supershitty projects down to me? Would I still be able to work from home once a week? What kind of job could I get after doing this for a while?
So does anyone know anything about this type of gig? Thoughts, good bad indifferent?
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Re: WDCNK? (what do caribbean nesties know)
I don't know anything specific, but what is your job like now? Is it small daily task oriented? Like you have basically the same checklist of things to do each day? That kind of job is a pipe dream for me. I have a project oriented job and I can get overwhelmed and buried easily. If you have ADD it can be kind of hard. But on the bright side, you will not get bored and when you do something well, you'll feel a lot of pride in your work.
How long do you see yourself being there? If you take this job, and you're putting 2-3 additional years between your prior experience and a new job search that doesn't seem too bad. But 15 years later, you might be considered out of the loop on your old duties. But hey, you're the recruiter, so you know best how employers look at that.
Having a boss who doesn't really know what he's doing is a double edged sword, IMO. You can probably take on more stuff and try more new things. He's not set in his ways, so you can come up with more ideas and take charge of them. On the other hand, if he crashes and burns, he will likely want a scapegoat.
"As of page 2 this might be the most boring argument ever. It's making me long for Rape Day." - Mouse
I agree with this.However, if a more experienced person were to crash and burn they would probably want a scapegoat to. And have the experience to make it more effective and look more convincing.
I think if you like project based work and this is something that could boost you up in your career it sounds like a wonderful opportunity.
The way I traditionally have see the role of the CoS has been in the political climate, but I have also seen them within the executive Branch, and i think that is more along the lines of what you describe. Here are my thoughts:
A CoS should in actuality be the one who will be the straight shooter to the SVP, and be the one to tell them what is really happening and not what they want to hear. You are the one they will trust more than anyone else in their org. You are also the one that looks out for the boss on the big picture/little picture items--something that might sound good for one small part of the company and help that tiny little branch may in the end hurt something else within the whole company--and you are the one who is going to have to know that in order to help them make the right decision.
You would be the defacto manager of the staff, yes there will be admin assistants/exec assistants but they aren't necessarily looking out for the boss politically speaking, they are just trying to keep them happy and trying not to be yelled at by whomever wants a meeting. The rest of the staff is also trying to do their specific jobs and trying to take care of themselves, their first thought will not be to protect the boss, whereas the CoS' is (unless they are doing somehing illegal or unethical in which the CoS should lead the charge in getting the boss to stop or step aside).
It is not an easy job, and it can be rewarding if the boss is the type to trust and pass along the not crappy items for you to do. However, if you have a boss that just likes to "collect" staff to follow them around and treats the CoS as another admin, that is not what you want. While at the executive branch, I saw one who was mainly the person who signed things for the Cabinet Secretary and would do things in his name (he was later indicted for some of the stuff she did--recently cleared); the other CoS (new Secretary) was the "sober second thought" and was a true example of how to keep staff happy and how to make sure the boss knew and understood what was happening at all levels.
Sorry if this was rambly, I am happy to give any other insight if you want.
I'm with Fallin on this one. But the real question is if you'll still have opportunities to come to Portland on business from time to time.
"That chick wins at Penises, for sure." -- Fenton
Mucho likes purple nails and purple cupcakes
Lindsay, this is me stocking you. So yeah, if I did it, it would be a calculated choice to expand out of recruiting. I do a ton or project mgmt etc in this job but it isn't seen that way. I am seen as H.R. and at least imo, I am not really H.R. I'd probably only stay a couple years although the SVP is young enough I could conceivably stay with him until I retired.
EAB, I think it would be like what you're describing as it is for the GR peeps where I am not. I wish the group were a little less visible but it is what it is.
Book Review Blog
If I were a man (or fitty) I'd totally call my penis THE WIZARD - HappyTummy
Mucho likes purple nails and purple cupcakes