CSA Certified Chief of Staff™

Your gateway to becoming an influential, resilient and industry recognised chief of staff.

Why choose to become certified with the CSA?

Gain Industry Recognition

Certification provides chiefs of staff with industry validation of their skills and competency to outperform in the role, demonstrating to employers a level of professional credibility and commitment to excellence.

Enhance your Skills

Build a range of skills and competencies necessary for performance in the chief of staff role, including strategic thinking, leadership, communication, project management, and problem-solving.

Build a Global Network

Connect with other professionals navigating the complexities of the chief of staff role, sharing experiences, seeking advice, and establishing relationships.

What do our certified chiefs of staff say?

“Certification was integral in my transition to Chief Operating Officer at one of the world’s leading safety science organizations. The certification honed and amplified my project management and problem-solving abilities, ultimately empowering me to excel in my new role.”

Dr Charlotte Farmer
Chief Operating Officer
UL Research Institutes

“Securing the Chief of Staff certification played a crucial role in my transition from government to the private sector. The certification was an endorsement of my training and experience, enhancing my corporate desirability and paving the way into my current private sector role”

Drew Davis
Chief of Staff
Cruise Lines Int. Assoc.

“As a business coach, I’ve seen firsthand the impact becoming a Certified Chief of Staff® can have. The certification offers both recognition of your skills and a structured pathway for advancement. It’s an invaluable tool for any Chief of Staff seeking to elevate their career.”

Mellissa Walker
Chief of Staff
Resolution Think LLC

“Becoming a Certified Chief of Staff® was pivotal to my career. It sharpened my skills and bolstered my self-assurance, critical in my role supporting the CEO of one of Australia’s leading architecture firms, ultimately enabling my growth as chief of staff for years to come.”

Maria Lynch
Chief of Staff
Architectus

Criteria for Certification

To achieve certification, a chief of staff must:

Become a CSA Certified Chief of Staff™

There are three levels of certification that can be achieved by completing the CSA’s education programmes:

Core Competency
Programme

The Core Competency Programme is a 12-month programme delivered online through the CSA Education Centre.

Members work through a structured video series with a subject matter expert, before engaging with their peers to discuss best practices.

Each seminar has an assessment component that is a requirement to receive credit toward the programme.

Saïd Business School
University of Oxford

Members can attend the Chief of Staff Executive Education Programme at the University of Oxford.

The bi-annual residential programme is delivered on campus at Saïd Business School and is exclusive to a cohort of approximately 50 members.

Members can attend the Oxford residential programme at any point throughout their membership.

Harvard Business School
Harvard University

Members can attend the Chief of Staff Executive Education Programme at Harvard Business School.

The annual residential programme is delivered on campus at Harvard Business School and is exclusive to a cohort of approximately 50 members.

Members can attend the HBS residential programme at any point throughout their membership.

 

Code of Practice

The Chief of Staff Association’s Code of Practice is the world’s first cross-sector charter that sets the standard for professionalism in the chief of staff role.

Reviewed regularly by our panel of expert chiefs of staff, the Code outlines the means by which chiefs of staff should act: with integrity, loyalty and authenticity. 

In order to become a CSA Certified Chief of Staff™, Members sign the Code and commit to upholding its values and standards.

Levels of Certification

In recognition of experience and commitment to professional development, The Chief of Staff Association awards three levels of Certification to our Members.

Level 1

To achieve Level 1, chiefs of staff must complete either the Core Competency Programme or one of the CSA’s Executive Education Programmes.

Level 2

To achieve Level 2, chiefs of staff must complete the Core Competency Programme and one of the Executive Education Programmes.

Level 3

To achieve Level 3, chiefs of staff must complete the Core Competency Programme and both Executive Education Programmes.

In addition to the formal education programmes, the CSA offers a range of continuing professional development opportunities.

Begin your certification journey.