Key Takeaways
- • Vinod Khosla, founder of Khosla Ventures, announced on X that he is seeking a new chief of staff, a three-year commitment based in Menlo Park, California, with 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. days and nights and weekends as needed.
- • Job postings for chiefs of staff on Indeed were nearly 90% above pre-pandemic levels in September; the median advertised salary in the San Francisco Bay Area is $175,000, versus about $152,000 nationally, per Indeed.
- • US VC deal value reached $516 billion across an estimated 14,199 deals through the first three quarters of the year, already the highest total in PitchBook's dataset and roughly 44% above the 2021 record, according to PitchBook.
- • The posting lists no compensation and states the role is "not a dedicated investing seat or a guaranteed path to one," though prior chiefs of staff have started companies, launched investment firms, or taken leadership roles at Khosla Ventures.
Summary
Vinod Khosla, founder of Khosla Ventures, said on X that he is seeking his next chief of staff, a role that offers close working proximity to one of venture capital's most prominent investors. The firm is known for early investments in OpenAI, DoorDash, and Instacart, according to Business Insider. Khosla wrote that the successful candidate will be judged on "how quickly you learn, the questions you ask, and whether you can think from first principles," and will help evaluate opportunities and work with founders building consequential companies.
According to the job posting, the chief of staff will work directly with Khosla to evaluate investment opportunities, meet founders, research emerging technologies, and support portfolio companies. Over time, as the hire earns his trust, they will lead conversations on his behalf and help determine which opportunities the firm pursues. The posting says the role requires significant responsibility and comfort with ambiguity. Compensation is not listed. The position carries a three-year commitment, requires in-person work in Menlo Park, and generally runs from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., with availability on nights and weekends.
Demand for the role is rising. Business Insider reports, citing Indeed, that chief of staff postings in September were nearly 90% above pre-pandemic levels, well ahead of management roles and overall postings. The Bay Area median advertised salary of $175,000 compares with roughly $152,000 nationally. A March LinkedIn study found that most US chiefs of staff remain in the same profession when they change jobs, while some move into senior roles, with chief operating officer the second most common move at 2.9% of transitions.
The hiring push coincides with a strong venture market. According to PitchBook, US VC deal value reached $516 billion across an estimated 14,199 deals in the first three quarters of the year, the highest total in the firm's dataset and roughly 44% above the prior record set in 2021. The posting notes that previous chiefs of staff have gone on to start companies, launch investment firms, and take leadership roles at Khosla Ventures, but it cautions that the position is "not a dedicated investing seat or a guaranteed path to one."
According to the job posting, the chief of staff will work directly with Khosla to evaluate investment opportunities, meet founders, research emerging technologies, and support portfolio companies. Over time, as the hire earns his trust, they will lead conversations on his behalf and help determine which opportunities the firm pursues. The posting says the role requires significant responsibility and comfort with ambiguity. Compensation is not listed. The position carries a three-year commitment, requires in-person work in Menlo Park, and generally runs from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., with availability on nights and weekends.
Demand for the role is rising. Business Insider reports, citing Indeed, that chief of staff postings in September were nearly 90% above pre-pandemic levels, well ahead of management roles and overall postings. The Bay Area median advertised salary of $175,000 compares with roughly $152,000 nationally. A March LinkedIn study found that most US chiefs of staff remain in the same profession when they change jobs, while some move into senior roles, with chief operating officer the second most common move at 2.9% of transitions.
The hiring push coincides with a strong venture market. According to PitchBook, US VC deal value reached $516 billion across an estimated 14,199 deals in the first three quarters of the year, the highest total in the firm's dataset and roughly 44% above the prior record set in 2021. The posting notes that previous chiefs of staff have gone on to start companies, launch investment firms, and take leadership roles at Khosla Ventures, but it cautions that the position is "not a dedicated investing seat or a guaranteed path to one."
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