We free hostages—CEOs who have become consumed by their businesses.

Our proven framework— the Organizational Scaffold System™— transitions CEOs from operational noise to strategic growth. We are the premier operational strategy firm in the US.

You Are Running Out of Bandwidth.

You need a strategic right-hand who takes care of the critical tasks so you can start growing the business and stop babysitting it.

Are you an SMB CEO/founder who relates to the following?

Here’s the truth no one tells you:

Here’s the truth no one tells you:

As companies grow, complexity increases faster than structure. When that happens, decisions naturally collapse back to the founder. Not because the founder wants control–

But because they’ve actually built a dependent team.

At this point, companies fail to grow because they lack the necessary systems, structures, and force multipliers. That’s where we come in.

The Solution: Meet the Organizational Scaffold System.

The three-phase system restructures your organization by addressing key roadblocks to growth. Our team of experts assesses missing structural foundations, installs needed systems, and then hires the right force amplifier.

Phase 1: AssessOur experts uncover current bottlenecks and missing frameworks through a series of discovery sessions and diagnostics.

Phase 2: ApplyWe install necessary systems and structures utilizing a fractional organizational strategist to implement the structure immediately. Our solution allows you to experience high-level strategic support before making a permanent hire, significantly de-risking the investment.

Phase 3: ActivateOur seasoned recruiter (with 30+ years experience) permanently places the right force multiplier to drive revenue and free the CEO’s time. This ensures you introduce a force multiplier who bridges the strategy-execution gap.

Why Partner with Vertical Elevation? Real Experience. Real Results. No Theory.

To make lasting changes, you need a partner who understands the US market and SMB landscape.  

For over 30 years, we have successfully partnered with founders and CEOs across various industries. Unlike a generalist recruiter, we specialize in placing high-level hires based on each company’s specific strategy and needs.  

Led by Carol Schultz  

Carol is a thought leader featured in Inc. Magazine, Fast Company, and Forbes, and is a best-selling author.  

We have helped hundreds of companies transform their organizations:  

  • Real Estate & Proptech  
  • Software Technology  
  • Finance & Fintech

Take Our Free Organizational Wellness Diagnostic to see where your organization scores in six key areas of your company’s health.  

It’s a tool to help CEOs highlight where strain is starting to show up. 

You will receive your report by email.

The Benefits When You Refocus on Strategy

Reclaim Your Time

Stop putting out fires and start working ON your business rather than IN your business.

Scalable Growth

Run a company that grows in profitability.

Aligned Teams

Create an organization where people work together toward a shared vision.

Investor Confidence

Give confidence to your investors and board of directors with a professionalized structure.

How We Help You Transform

Why work with
Vertical Elevation?

For over 30 years, we have successfully partnered with founders and CEOs across various industries in the SMB space. Our CEO, Carol Schultz, is a thought leader featured in Inc Magazine, Fast Company, Forbes, and a best-selling author.

Are you ready to start working
ON your business rather than
IN your business?

Our proactive approach will take you from deep operational noise to industry leaders

Chief of Staff

FAQs

Why should I outsource Chief of Staff functions first?

Outsourcing a fractional leader allows you to build the “scaffold” or infrastructure of your office without the risk of a full-time salary immediately. It lets you test the role’s value.

What does a Chief of Staff (CoS) do?

The CoS acts as a strategic advisor, integrator, and impact amplifier for the executive (typically the CEO). Responsibilities include prioritizing initiatives, managing cross-functional projects, facilitating leadership meetings, filtering communications, and ensuring organizational alignment. 

How is a CoS different from a COO or Executive Assistant (EA)?
  1. A CoS focuses on strategy and execution, while an EA focuses on scheduling and administrative tasks.  
  1. A CoS operates as the executive’s proxy (tactical/adaptive), while a COO owns operational outcomes (P&L, teams). 

 

Who does the CoS report to?

Typically to the CEO, though in large organizations other CXOs may have a chief of staff. 

What skills are critical for success?
  1. Strategic thinking 
  2. Exceptional communication & diplomacy
  3. Project/program management
  4. Emotional intelligence
  5. Adaptability & discretion
  6. Ability to navigate ambiguity 
In which industries/companies is this role common?

Tech startups, government, military, large corporations (especially during transitions), nonprofits, and fast-growing companies. 

How does the CoS drive strategic initiatives?

By owning the planning/execution of CEO priorities: setting timelines, removing roadblocks, aligning resources, putting systems in place, and reporting progress. 

What is the CoS’s role in leadership meetings?

There are situations when the CoS will run meetings in place of the CEO. In cases when the CEO is running meetings, the CoS will design agendas, pre-align  stakeholders, capture decisions/actions, and ensure follow-through. They often act as a facilitator or “synthesizer.” 

How does the CoS improve organizational efficiency?

Identifying process bottlenecks, streamlining communication flows (e.g., replacing meetings with async updates), building talent strategies, and coaching teams on prioritization. 

Is the CoS role a temporary or long-term position?

It depends: Smaller, fast growth companies typically begin with a fractional CoS to determine what they need before moving to a full-time CoS; some use it as a shorter leadership accelerator; others build long-term “right-hand” partnerships. 

What should I look for when hiring a CoS?

Culture-fit with the CEO, ability to navigate politics, bias toward action, and resilience under pressure. Past exposure to high-stakes environments is a plus. 

When should I hire a CoS?

When you’re: 

  1. Spending >/=25% of your time on low-value tasks (scheduling, follow-ups, admin).
  2. Struggling to align leadership teams or execute top priorities.
  3. Scaling rapidly (startups) or navigating complex changes (mergers, acquisitions, reorganizations).
  4. Feeling bottlenecked in decision-making or communication flows. 

 

What tangible benefits will a CoS bring?
  1. Time recovery: Free on average  50% of time weekly for strategic work.
  2. Faster execution: Drive key initiatives with dedicated oversight.
  3. Improved alignment: Resolve cross-functional friction and silos.
  4. Risk mitigation: Flag cultural/operational issues early.
  5. Communication: Improved productivity and culture. 
Couldn’t an EA, COO, or Strategy VP do this?
  1. EA: Manages your calendar/logistics; CoS manages your agenda/priorities.
  2. COO: Owns operations/P&L; CoS owns your effectiveness & strategic flow.
  3. Strategy VP: Delivers analysis; CoS ensures implementation. 
What core domains should the CoS own?
  1. Your priorities: Track progress and remove roadblocks.
  2. Leadership cadence: Design and run leadership meetings & offsites.
  3. Communication: Draft critical messages (investors/board/organization).
  4. Special projects: Lead high-impact cross-functional initiatives.
  5. Talent Strategy: In some cases, the CoS will operate as the chief talent officer. 
Will the CoS undermine the existing leadership?

No, as long as you: 

  1. Clarify the CoS role as an integrator (not a decision-maker).
  2. Position them as a resource to your team (e.g., “They help us all win”).
  3. Encourage collaboration (e.g., CoS + department heads co-own projects). 
How do I empower my CoS without causing confusion?
  1. Publicly delegate the CoS: “Alex speaks for me on X, Y, Z.” 
  2. Private veto rights: Allow them to filter 80% of requests before they reach you. 
  3. Regular syncs: 15-min daily check-ins + weekly deep dives. 

Real work. Real results.

Hear from some of the business leaders who we’ve helped

Business Needs a Chief of Staff
chief of staff internships

Free Resource

5 Mistakes CEOs Make When Developing a Leadership Team

Bringing together the ideal leadership team is your top priority as your organization’s founder and/or CEO. You know that the top is where the tone is set for the entire system. The leading executives establish the protocols, rules, and vision. Employees are more likely to follow a united team. If there is a failure to bring on the right people, the negative repercussions will be felt throughout the company.

Start Your Company Transformation Today

Don’t wait until you burn out. Partner with the leading operational strategy firm and build the infrastructure you need to scale.

Want to get a look inside the book Powered by People?

Want to get a look inside the book Powered by People?