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Chief of Staff

Trusted by the nation's top private equity firms & Fortune 1000 companies.

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Amplifying leadership. Aligning execution.

We place strategic Chiefs of Staff who amplify leadership impact and drive organizational alignment.

The Chief of Staff plays a pivotal role in translating strategy into execution – serving as a force multiplier for senior leadership. Whether supporting a CEO, CFO, or Operating Partner, the Chief of Staff ensures priorities are executed efficiently across functions, teams, and initiatives. They bring structure, foresight, and follow-through to fast-moving environments, helping leaders stay focused on value creation and long-term objectives.

In private equity–backed and high-growth companies, the role has evolved into a critical link between strategy and operations. Chiefs of Staff manage cross-functional initiatives, oversee communications and planning, and often drive key transformation or integration efforts. They combine analytical thinking with emotional intelligence, ensuring leadership teams are aligned, informed, and performing at their best.

ECA Partners recruits Chiefs of Staff who deliver measurable impact. Our candidates bring consulting-grade problem solving, operational discipline, and the adaptability required to succeed in dynamic, investor-backed settings. Whether building the office of the CEO or supporting enterprise transformation, ECA identifies leaders who create clarity, accountability, and momentum.

Our Areas of Expertise.

We deliver top executive talent and flexible consulting solutions across high-growth industries.

SECTORS

Private Equity Firms & Portcos

Private Equity Firms & Portcos

We match PE investors with leaders who unlock value.

Healthcare

Healthcare

ECA places leaders who drive growth, compliance, and better care.

Business Services

Business Services

ECA places leaders who unlock efficiency & growth in service models.

Industrials & Natural Resources

Industrials & Natural Resources

We find the savviest operators to optimize manufacturing businesses.

Consumer & Retail

Consumer & Retail

We identify executives who grow consumer brands and market presence.

Technology

Technology

From SaaS to AI, we recruit leaders driving innovation and scale.

Financial Services

Financial Services

ECA secures agile financial leaders to navigate shifting markets.

Meet your Practice Leads

Olivia Hanninen, PhD

Olivia Hanninen, PhD

Senior Director

Olivia Hanninen is a Senior Director at ECA Partners and leads the firm’s Human Capital Practice, with deep expertise at the intersection of Strategy, Organizational Design, and Chief of Staff leadership. She partners with private equity firms and portfolio companies to recruit Chiefs of Staff and strategy operators who drive executive alignment, enable cross-functional execution, and scale leadership capacity. Olivia’s cross-functional experience spans GTM, Strategy, and People, giving her a holistic perspective on leadership effectiveness. She holds a PhD in History from UC Irvine, an MA from UCL, and a first-class BA from King’s College London.

Kay Francoeur, PhD

Kay Francoeur, PhD

Engagement Manager

Kay is an Engagement Manager at ECA Partners with deep experience placing Chiefs of Staff and strategic operators for healthcare and private-equity–backed companies. She partners with CEOs, founders, and functional leaders to identify right-hand talent who enable scale, alignment, and execution across strategy and operations. Her cross-sector expertise in healthcare, technology, and industrials provides a broad perspective on organizational design and leadership effectiveness. Kay holds a PhD in Religious and Gender Studies from Indiana University as a Fulbright and Mellon Fellow.

Have a role you'd like to discuss?

Reach out. We’d be delighted to learn about your hiring goals.

Have a chief of staff role you’d like to discuss?

Reach out. We'd be delighted to learn about your hiring goals.