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Merlin

Chief of Staff to the CEO

Location:  Greater London-London, SE1 9AX, UK
Location flexibility:  3 office days / week – HQ/Office-based roles. (On-site roles are fixed to a location.)
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Job Description

What you'll bring to the team

Chief of Staff to the CEO

Overview

We are seeking an exceptional Chief of Staff to partner directly with our CEO and Executive Committee, driving organisational effectiveness, strategic execution, and leadership alignment across the business.

As a trusted advisor and critical partner to the CEO, you will lead the CEO Office, shape executive decision-making, coordinate enterprise-wide initiatives, and ensure the successful delivery of strategic priorities. This highly influential leadership role sits at the centre of the organisation, bringing clarity, pace, and accountability to the CEO's agenda.

Success in this role will be built on strong judgement, credibility, influence, and the ability to work effectively with senior stakeholders across the business.

Key Responsibilities

CEO Office Leadership

  • Lead the day-to-day operation of the CEO Office and manage the CEO's strategic priorities and operating cadence.
  • Coordinate Executive Committee meetings, leadership forums, strategic reviews, and key governance activities.
  • Ensure the CEO is fully prepared for internal and external engagements.
  • Optimise the CEO's time and effectiveness through proactive planning and prioritisation.
  • Provide oversight of Executive Assistant and Personal Assistant support teams.

Strategic Decision Support

  • Provide analysis, challenge, insight, and commercial judgement to support executive decision-making.
  • Develop business cases, assess risks and opportunities, and quality-assure information presented to the CEO.
  • Facilitate informed decisions through effective stakeholder engagement and collaboration.

Executive Committee & Strategy Execution

  • Drive Executive Committee effectiveness through disciplined agenda management, decision tracking, and follow-through.
  • Lead cross-functional strategic initiatives and transformation programmes.
  • Remove barriers, manage interdependencies, and ensure delivery against organisational objectives.
  • Hold leaders accountable for agreed actions and commitments.

Board, Governance & Communications

  • Support Board and Committee processes in partnership with the Company Secretary.
  • Coordinate Board papers, executive presentations, and strategic updates.
  • Prepare the CEO for Board, shareholder, and external stakeholder interactions.
  • Draft leadership communications, presentations, speeches, and key messaging.
  • Ensure alignment of strategic narrative and communications across the organisation.

Operational Leadership

  • Oversee Corporate Facilities operations across Arbor London.
  • Provide leadership to Executive Assistant and Personal Assistant communities.
  • Ensure support functions within the CEO Office deliver exceptional service standards.

About You

You will be a highly credible senior leader with:

  • Significant experience operating at Executive Committee or Board level.
  • Exceptional strategic thinking, analytical capability, and business judgement.
  • Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence without formal authority.
  • Outstanding communication and relationship-building skills.
  • Proven experience leading cross-functional initiatives and organisational change.
  • The ability to operate with discretion, resilience, and sound judgement in a fast-paced environment.

This is a unique opportunity to work at the heart of the organisation, partnering closely with the CEO to shape business priorities, accelerate execution, and drive enterprise-wide impact.

Qualifications & Experience

  • Significant experience working in a Chief of Staff, Strategy, Corporate Development, Consulting, Business Transformation, Operations, or senior leadership role.
  • Experience supporting CEOs, Founders, Boards, or Executive leadership teams within complex organisations.
  • Proven track record of leading enterprise-wide initiatives and strategic programmes.
  • Experience operating within highly matrixed, multi-site, and international organisations.
  • Strong commercial understanding and ability to balance strategic and operational considerations.
  • Degree-level qualification or equivalent professional experience.

Benefits

Pay Range

Competitive

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Working at Merlin

3 office days / week – HQ/Office-based roles. (On-site roles are fixed to a location.)

A little flex time – varies by role

Company employees:

22,000

Gender diversity (m:f):

52:48

Hiring in countries

Company benefits

Annual bonus
Buy or sell annual leave
Charity donation scheme
Cycle to work scheme
Employee assistance programme
Employee discounts – 40% LEGO Discount
Enhanced pension match/contribution
Eye Care Support
Family health insurance
Health insurance
Theme park discounts
Lunch and learns
In house training
Further education support
Open to part time work for some roles
Open to part-time employees
Mental health first aiders
Mentoring
Learning platform
Collaboration spaces
Modern office
Private booths
Employee recognition scheme
Volunteer days
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