Chief Operating Officer

Role overview

This is a senior leadership opportunity for a Chief of Staff / Chief Operating Officer supporting a complex Family Office in the Menlo Park / Atherton, CA area. The position requires someone who can stay highly accessible, remain flexible, and provide hands-on leadership during standard Monday–Friday business hours, with additional flexibility as business needs evolve.

The role carries up to $450,000 in compensation, depending on experience, along with comprehensive benefits and bonus upside. The ideal person will bring strong structure, operational control, and execution discipline to a private, high-touch environment serving an ultra-high-net-worth principal.

Previous Family Office exposure is strongly preferred. The successful candidate should understand the unique demands of supporting a principal and balancing estate, investment, operational, and administrative priorities across the organization.

Key responsibilities

• Act as the senior operational leader across the Family Office and keep day-to-day execution on track.
• Make sure the CEO has the information, support, and resources needed to work efficiently each day.
• Coordinate internal teams, align priorities, and build accountability across the organization.
• Improve operational performance by building and refining systems, workflows, and processes.
• Handle multiple priorities at once while maintaining precision and strong follow-through.
• Oversee daily Family Office operations and maintain awareness of all active workstreams.
• Work closely with executive support, estate management, finance, investments, legal counsel, and external advisors.
• Lead operational planning, strategic initiatives, and special projects from start to finish.
• Support the operational needs of luxury residences and estate teams.
• Partner with Estate Managers to keep properties running smoothly.
• Collaborate with investment professionals and advisors on investment-related operational matters.
• Ensure communication remains clear and coordinated across all functions.
• Lead, coach, and develop senior leaders and department heads.
• Set measurable expectations and maintain consistent operational standards.
• Promote a professional, discreet, and collaborative culture.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to the CEO and surface risks, gaps, and opportunities early.
• Recommend and implement changes that strengthen the organization overall.
• Balance strategic thinking with day-to-day operational execution.

Qualifications

• Prior Family Office experience is required.
• Background as a COO, Chief of Staff, Head of Operations, or another senior leadership role in a Family Office or private office setting.
• Solid understanding of Family Office operations, estate management, and investment coordination.
• Proven ability to lead several departments and cross-functional teams at the same time.
• Strong operational leadership, planning, organization, and project management capability.
• A hands-on leader who can move between strategic oversight and practical execution.
• Excellent problem-solving ability and a proactive, solutions-focused approach.
• Strong communication, relationship management, and interpersonal skills.
• High emotional intelligence and the ability to manage different personalities with tact and judgment.
• Comfort working in a fast-moving environment where priorities can shift quickly.
• Very strong attention to detail and dependable follow-through.
• Strict discretion, integrity, professionalism, and sound judgment are essential.
• Experience supporting ultra-high-net-worth principals and working in highly confidential settings.
• Bachelor's degree preferred, though advanced business or operational leadership experience is highly valued.

Schedule and working style

Monday through Friday, standard business hours, with flexibility when required. This is a high-responsibility leadership position that demands a strong presence and accessibility.

Compensation and benefits

Compensation is stated at up to $450,000, depending on experience. The role also includes comprehensive benefits and bonus potential.

Ideal background

The best fit will be an experienced operator who is comfortable in complex private environments, can bring order to multiple moving parts, and can support a sophisticated Family Office with confidence, discretion, and consistency.