Chief of Staff

Job Description

A private individual, based in Bentonville, Arkansas, is seeking an experienced Chief of Staff (COS) to provide general management and oversight of multiple estates and entities. The COS will be responsible for the management of all household operations, administration, staffing, service, financial oversight, policy implementation and security. This role requires superb organizational and interpersonal skills to manage relationships across a wide range of vendors, staff, office personnel and family members. The ability to navigate responsibilities with a high sense of professionalism, intelligence, maturity, sensitivity and discretion is paramount. As the leader of the family’s residential and staff operations, the COS will travel between residences as needed.

Key Responsibilities:

The Chief of Staff will serve as a central point of contact for the principal and will:
• Supervise daily operations and manage projects of high importance
• Provide administrative support, plan and execute events and social functions as needed
• Act as ‘gatekeeper’ for the principal, field questions and respond to various requests for the principal’s time, resources, opinion, etc.
• Regular travel with the principal to manage day-to-day needs
• Manage and maintain the principal’s professional and social calendar and contacts including coordinating meetings and booking appointments
• Manage key relationships with various organizations, businesses and philanthropies
• Plan and facilitate travel:
-Manage pilot and facilitate private plane arrangements
-Consistently communicate travel needs and schedule so that airplane maintenance can be scheduled at convenient times
-Schedule drivers, transportation to/from airport, and other logistical needs
-Recruit, hire, conduct talent reviews and oversee the general performance of pilots
• Manage personal art collection:
-Document current pieces, facilitate acquisitions and field loan requests
-Serve as the first point-of-contact for all art-related matters
-Facilitate art movements and installations, work closing with professional art handlers and storage companies to ensure the highest standards are followed, and communicate movements in a timely manner to the family office for insurance purposes
• Work closely with property managers to ensure houses and properties are kept in -Oversee housekeepers and conduct their talent reviews in multiple properties and provide them with responsibilities, grocery lists, the latest long-term schedules and short-term itineraries
-Act as property manager for property in New York
-Maintain daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual home (and grounds) maintenance checklists for all houses and schedule and oversee all work
-Order all necessary products and stock as needed
-Keep updated inventories of furniture, decorative arts, silver, china, etc.
• Assist with philanthropic endeavors, in conjunction with the Walton Family Foundation and the Chief of Philanthropy:
-Ensure the principal’s museum memberships and cards are up-to-date and in the correct location
-Manage the principal’s involvement in various projects
• Track monthly personal credit card expenses, compiling all receipts for each statement and approving before passing onto the principal for approval
• Manage and schedule maintenance on cars and other equipment
• Manage personal health needs, including scheduling medical appointments and procedures, filling prescriptions, and facilitating regular massage and physical therapy appointments
• Manage personal care needs – including proactively scheduling nail, hair, skin, and other appointments
• Work with the PR team to manage the principal’s public image and appearances
• Manage the mail across various locations, sort, and review with the principal regularly
• Run errands regularly, as requested
• Other duties as assigned

Characteristics for Success:
The chosen candidate will have a strong knowledge of private family lifestyles and discreet multi-estate management. The ability to intelligently (re)assess and meet the changing needs of the environment is required. Important traits of the individual are as follows:

• An even-keeled, humble demeanor with a “Rock-of-Gibraltar” calmness under pressure
• Adaptability and flexibility within a dynamic, fast-paced work environment
• A strong ability to self-motivate and work independently, seeing tasks through from inception to finish
• Extreme organization and attention to detail
• Ability to both roll-up-sleeves as well as delegate
• Trustworthy and honest
• Ability to proactively anticipate needs and situations
• Grounded and entrepreneurial mindset, with service heart and impeccable morals/ethics

Basic Qualifications

• 10+ years of relevant experience managing complex operations and projects for private individuals or families
• Experience managing others who have set a standard of high expectations for team members and creates a high functioning, collaborative work environment
• Excellent problem-solver with a high sense of urgency and follow through
• Ability to understand the nuances of the job and to react nimbly to rapidly changing circumstances
• Computer, technology, and security system savvy
• College degree strongly preferred though individuals exhibiting the proper experience and skills will be considered
• Driver’s license, passport, and legal authorization to work in the US required
• Ability to pass an extensive background check, employment verification, and other pre-hire paperwork also required
• Flexibility to travel as needed