Enlighten your future.

Nova Chief of Staff Certification equips EAs, Chiefs of Staff, and aspiring leaders to function at the highest levels of a company.

Through hands-on job experience and expertly crafted online curriculum, Nova coursework prepares students for the ins and outs of the Chief of Staff role so they can hit the ground running in their current or future job.

You can view the course syllabus here.

Is the Chief of Staff role right for you? Take our quiz to find out.

Practice makes perfect.

In any field or industry, experience is critical to career success, and experiential learning is the way to achieve it. When you take Nova’s Chief of Staff Certification course, you’re not only gaining foundational knowledge about the duties of a Chief of Staff, but also firsthand experience through relevant assignments, tools, and templates.

Coursework designed for you.

Looking to empower your future and add skills to your resume? The Nova Chief of Staff Certification course offers hands-on practice in the daily functions of the CoS role relevant to many professionals, including:

  • Current & Aspiring Chiefs of Staff looking for a proven framework and abundance of resources.

  • Executive assistants looking for a more strategic role with greater responsibility.

  • Business operations managers, executive partners, or general managers looking to advance.

  • Highly organized leaders who enjoy working with executives at the top.

  • Consultants looking to settle into an industry or business.

  • Companies looking to elevate leaders and promote top employees.

  • Undergraduate and graduate business school students looking to land their dream job.

  • Generalists who want to thrive in a company and learn a business from the top down.

  • Anyone who wants to learn more about the Chief of Staff position and the foundational skills required to support senior leaders with impact.

Trusted by 1,000+ Students Worldwide

The Nova Chief of Staff Certification Course has transformed careers across the globe — and the results speak for themselves. But don’t just take our word for it: hear directly from the students who’ve lived it.

Meet Beth

Role prior to taking Nova’s course:
Senior Director, Alumni Relations & Development, University of Chicago

Role after completing Nova’s course:
CoS to the Chancellor of University of Illinois Chicago

Meet Leah

Role prior to taking Nova’s course:
Executive Assistant, Easter Seals Canada

Role after completing Nova’s course:
De Facto Chief of Staff

Meet Nicola

Role prior to taking Nova’s course:
Executive Assistant, Linxon

Role after completing Nova’s course:
Chief of Staff, HALO Trust

Two Paths to Certification

Nova Chief of Staff Certification is available through our self-paced online course, and our in-person course in partnership with the American Society of Administrative Professionals (ASAP).

Online Course

Our online course is self-paced and flexible, providing you with lifetime access to the course, tools, and resources.

The coursework is all hosted through an online portal, with opportunities throughout to engage with other students and Nova Founder Maggie Olson.

In-Person Course

Our in-person course equips you with all of our certification content in a group setting with many in-person perks.

Graduates of the Nova in-person certification will be eligible for CEU credits if PACE-certified through the American Society of Administrative Professionals (ASAP).

OUR GUARANTEE: We believe in the impact of our course—and our students do too. If you complete the program and don’t find it valuable, we’ll refund your enrollment. To date, with over 1,000 students, we’ve never had a refund request based on dissatisfaction.

Nova also trains teams! Click here to learn more.

The Nova Promise

Nova is committed to leveling the playing field and proudly partners with the following groups to ensure accessible pricing to our world-class Chief of Staff Certification course:

  • Recently laid off

  • Financial hardship

  • Current students

  • Emerging market countries

  • Veterans

  • Learners who’ve tried & paid for other CoS resources but see Nova as the missing link

To confirm your eligibility, please contact our team.

World-class impact.

Our students enroll from some of the most influential companies on the planet, representing a diversity of industries.

Inside the course:

  • 1:1 kick-off meeting with instructor

    Deep understanding of the role and the value of the position to the organization. Hear from current and past Chiefs of Staff as well as executives supported by the role.

  • Hands on practice of business planning activities including brief preparation, strategic recommendations, complex meeting agendas, and more.

  • Dive into real-life scenarios that include writing executive communications, planning company events, and preparing a sales presentation for your leader.

  • Participate in a mock meeting with your leader, capturing and then preparing an executive level prioritization document, and project manage a complex executive team event.

  • Learn how to approach the financial areas of your business, prepare an org chart, kick off an employee newsletter, reflect on your network, hone your executive presence, and more.

  • 1:1 final meeting with instructor

    Conduct a mock meeting with your leader where you present updates on completed work from the course and record the virtual presentation. Prepare for your first 90 days as a CoS.

You’ll leave the course with a treasure chest of resources, tools, and templates to take to a Chief of Staff, Sr. Executive Assistant, or similar role. A few noteworthy items include a flier summarizing what you learned in the course (helpful for job interviews), a snazzy digital badge to share on your LinkedIn (LI), a course certificate of completion, and access to an exclusive LI group for course graduates.

Meet your instructor, Maggie Olson.

Maggie Olson sits in a chair in an interior decorated room and speaks with hand gestures and a big smile

Our Founder and key course instructor, Maggie Olson, built Nova to provide a premier destination for people to learn more about the CoS role and get the tools they need for success.

With 20 years of experience in retail, F&B, and tech, she has held leadership roles at Nordstrom and T-Mobile. As the first Chief of Staff to the President of T-Mobile Business Group, Maggie built the Chief of Staff model, establishing a highly efficient team and executive back-office structure supporting the President, SVPs, and over 5,000 employees. Through Nova Chief of Staff, she continues to shape business leadership and equip Chiefs of Staff with the skills they need to make an impact through the role.

“I built, tested, and implemented a successful Chief of Staff framework so you don’t have to… and I loved every minute of it. Come join the Chief of Staff Revolution!”

Guided by Experts: Meet Nova Guest Instructors

Nova collaborates with CoS experts and business leaders to ensure your course experience is guided by top minds in the field. See below the guest instructors who contribute hands-on exercises and additional coursework for graduates.

Katie Montbriand

Exercise: Career Storytelling, CoS Certification Course

Tyler Parris

Exercise: Facilitative Leadership, CoS Certification Course

Elise Kennedy

Exercise: Investor Market Report, CoS Certification Course

Jessica McBride

Course: Leverage AI as a Chief of Staff
Take the next step with Nova Chief of Staff

Start now and take the leap from support role to trusted leader.

Through 50 hours of self-paced online course content, instructor touchpoints, events, and hands-on experience derived from real Chief of Staff responsibilities, you’ll leave the course equipped to land the job you want or excel in the one you have. You’ll also take home a competency summary for current/future employers and retain lifelong access to course resources, including 30+ tools and templates.

One small investment. Unlimited opportunity.

Start now for only $450

$4,500 in value for only $1,850!

*You can choose to pay all at once or take advantage of our payment plans.

Shine bright in your role!

Gain access to over twenty FREE resources from Nova.

Have questions? We have answers!

Introducing Nova Open House virtual info sessions. Here, in a small group setting, we'll run through key aspects of the Certification course experience, and answer any specific questions you may have.

Join us!

Join a global community.

Nova’s Chief of Staff Certification course is endorsed by top industry professionals and organizations. With students from 30 countries, Nova is a global community of learners dedicated to advancing their careers. You can join the momentum and take advantage of Nova’s resources designed to support you on your Chief of Staff journey–no matter where in the world you’re located!

What students are saying.

  • “As this course comes to a close, I’m leaving with a much deeper understanding of the Chief of Staff role—not just as a strategic partner, but as a connector, integrator, and amplifier within an organization. One of the most valuable insights I gained is how critical it is for a Chief of Staff to fill the white space—to anticipate needs, align priorities, and create structure where there may be ambiguity. Through topics like business planning, communications, and stakeholder engagement, I’ve learned how the Chief of Staff must balance both execution and strategy, while also serving as a trusted advisor and organizational glue. I especially appreciated the emphasis on identifying gaps and managing up, across, and down to keep priorities moving forward. This course helped me refine the skills I already use in my current role and gave me the tools to grow into a more strategic and confident leader. I now see a clear path forward for how I can bring even more value to executive leadership and help shape the long-term success of an organization.”

    – Amy, Virtual Student, 2025

  • “Yes, to all of this! As a recent Nova Chief of Staff grad, I believe one of the most significant strengths of the Nova Chief of Staff Certification was its ability to illuminate how to work collaboratively with executives. The course content provided a clear understanding of the strategic considerations, project management, communication, and interdepartmental relationships that are crucial at this level. This insight is particularly beneficial for those aspiring to Chief of Staff roles and all executive assistant roles who need to effectively interact with executive leadership.”

    – Carol, Virtual Student, 2025

  • “Before attending the course, my understanding of the Chief of Staff role was quite limited and vague. I initially perceived it as a natural progression from an Executive Assistant position. However, I soon recognized that many Chief of Staff roles demand extensive knowledge and experience in business and management. This realization highlighted the need for me to significantly upskill. Nevertheless, I also recognized several areas where I could leverage my experience as an Executive Assistant. Specifically, I believe I can effectively contribute to communication efforts—not only with leaders but also with the leadership team and internal and external stakeholders. Through these communications, I see the potential to become a valuable intermediary among different parties.”

    – Akiko, Virtual Student, 2025

  • "This course has offered me so much in the way of learning. I learned what to and what not to do when creating documents for the business such as how they should be formatted for content, and things to include. I also learned that I needed to learn more haha. Every one of us at the assigned table were on different levels and I realized that I was not the smartest in the room and that was ok. I also learned that I was doing the bare minimum when it came to supporting a leader, that I needed to step up my game, and that it would take more effort on my part. I took the opportunity to learn from someone who was smarter than me and even asked if we could stay in touch outside of the class so I could continue to learn from her.

    This course was very intensive but very well worth my time, effort, and money.”

    – Hollis, In-Person Student, Denver 2025

  • "The course was well-structured and provided a great foundation for understanding and excelling in the Chief of Staff role. Feedback on what worked well:

    - Emphasis on Strategic and Operational Balance: The focus on balancing strategic vision with operational detail was insightful. This distinction is key to the CoS role, and the course did an excellent job of highlighting how to approach both areas thoughtfully.

    - Group Collaboration: Working with peers on group assignments was helpful. It mirrored real-world cross-functional collaboration, which is a big part of the Chief of Staff role and allowed us to learn from each other's backgrounds and approaches.”

    – Katrina, In-Person Student, Denver 2025

  • "Practical Tools and Templates

    The inclusion of customizable templates and tools is one of the program’s biggest assets. These resources allow participants to hit the ground running in their roles by providing proven frameworks that can be adapted to fit the specific needs of their organizations. This practical focus ensures that the learning is immediately applicable.

    Diverse Curriculum and Real-World Case Studies

    The curriculum covers a wide range of topics relevant to a Chief of Staff, from strategic planning and project management to executive communication and stakeholder engagement. The use of real-world case studies makes the material relatable and helps participants see how the concepts apply in different business contexts.”

    – Tilandra, In-Person Student, Denver 2025

  • "Over the past three days of in-person training, I've felt incredibly energized and validated by the Nova Chief of Staff Certification experience. What I enjoyed most was the deep sense of community and live interaction, which kept me fully engaged and made the learning feel real and relevant. It was powerful to learn from Maggie, whose insight, authenticity, and encouragement brought the material to life and helped me see my strengths in a new light. I especially appreciated how the course emphasized the strategic nature of the Chief of Staff role—something I've already been living out but now understand with greater clarity and confidence."

    – Tali, In-Person Student, Louisville 2025

  • "As a current new Chief of Staff, I signed up for this course to better understand the role and to learn organization tips and tricks to be successful in the role. This course did not disappoint. I heard very real situation from subject matter experts. I learned how to create complete tracking documents to help pull tasks together for successful communication and implementation. This course reinforced that the role of a CoS is multifaceted working with internal and external stakeholders for success on initiatives and freeing up CEO time for big picture thinking."

    – Barbara, Virtual Student, 2023

  • "Over the past three days of our in-person training, I really appreciated the opportunity to delve into the importance of the Chief of Staff role. It helped me gain clarity on how my team and those around me should view me as I transition into this role. One of the key takeaways for me was learning how to craft cohesive storytelling for presentations. The training reinforced the importance of effective communication, collaboration, and strategic alignment—critical skills I’ll take with me."

    – Maritza, In-Person Student, Louisville 2025

  • "In terms of hands-on learning and application, I found the course's emphasis on real-world exercises particularly valuable. Specifically, the briefs provided a practical framework that I could use. The all-hands sessions were instrumental in thinking overall about communication mechanisms, company culture, morale, etc. Additionally, creating a business planning slide deck was a standout experience for me. This task not only reinforced my understanding of strategic planning but also enhanced my ability to communicate ideas effectively and succinctly. Overall, these activities were crucial in equipping me with skills that are directly applicable in professional settings."

    – Bree, Virtual Student, 2024

  • “I feel significantly more prepared to search, interview, and succeed in a Chief of Staff role. The course has provided me with a solid foundation of the responsibilities and challenges involved in the position. Specific topics that helped me feel most prepared include: Strategic Communication: Learning how to tailor messaging to different audiences, especially senior executives, was essential. This will help me present key insights, updates, and recommendations clearly and persuasively in interviews and on the job. Project Management: The modules focused on managing various workstreams, tracking projects, and creating actionable plans were incredibly practical. Being able to demonstrate these skills in interviews as well as applying them in a CoS role will show my ability to handle the complexities of cross-functional initiatives. Executive Presence: The emphasis on cultivating executive presence, from developing a vision to how to present under pressure, prepared me to project confidence and lead in high-stakes environments.

    – Cassey, Virtual Student, 2024

You can also learn more about their journeys through our case studies.

Learn about the framework.

Complete the form below to access the syllabus.

If you’re considering enrolling in our Chief of Staff Certification course, reviewing the syllabus is a great way to gain insights into our industry agnostic course curriculum! Complete the form below to receive the syllabus, as well as news and updates from Nova.

Swing by the Blog

Did you know that Nova has a blog? Gain valuable insights and stay current with key context from across the Chief of Staff spectrum by poppin' into the blog every so often. Below is a sneak peak of our 3 most recent write-ups.

Blog
From EA to Strategic Partner: How Elizabeth Price Is Redefining Leadership Behind the Scenes
From EA to Strategic Partner: How Elizabeth Price Is Redefining Leadership Behind the Scenes

Kicking off our new student spotlight blog series: Meet Elizabeth Price.

Read More →
The Assumptive Close
The Assumptive Close

“Unless I hear otherwise, I will move forward.” The phrase that separates high-performing Chiefs of Staff from the rest — and why it works.

Read More →
EAs and Chiefs of Staff: AI is your Leadership Edge
EAs and Chiefs of Staff: AI is your Leadership Edge

Build confidence and thoughtfully implement AI as an Executive Assistant or Chief of Staff.

Read More →

FAQ

  • From tenured Chiefs of Staff to early-career Executive Assistants—and anyone looking to contribute at a high level—this course is designed for high-potential professionals who want to lead strategically.

    Whether you're already operating at the executive level or preparing to make that leap, the program equips you with a powerful, real-world toolkit to make confident, informed decisions every day.

    Our students include:

    • Current and aspiring Chiefs of Staff

    • Executive Assistants looking to expand their strategic influence

    • Business operations professionals

    • Business school students and early-career professionals exploring the CoS path

    • Future entrepreneurs

    • Individuals curious about the growing Chief of Staff movement

  • The course is $1,850 per student through 2025. Enrollment includes:

    • 50–60 hours of online instruction

    • Lifetime access to the curriculum and all future updates

    • Live calls with Team Nova, including weekly office hours, new student kickoff, and graduation sessions

    • 30+ exclusive templates and tools ready for immediate use

    • 12+ AI-focused assignments and a bonus 13-page AI Guide for CoSs and EAs

    • Lifetime access to the Nova Chief of Staff team and community, with unlimited feedback from real humans

    • A digital learning badge and certificate of completion

    We also offer in-person certification events three times per year or by request for teams.

  • Graduates receive a certificate of completion, a digital badge for LinkedIn, and a PDF summary of demonstrated skills they can use for job searches or performance reviews.

    How is the online course structured?

    The course is fully online, self-paced, and designed to work around your schedule. The curriculum includes:

    • 6 modules totaling 50–60 hours of instruction

    • 20+ assignments rooted in real-world business operations

    • 12+ AI-focused assignments and a bonus 13-page AI Guide

    • 30+ customizable templates

    • Live calls with Team Nova, including weekly office hours, kickoff, and graduation sessions

  • The course is fully online, self-paced, and designed to work around your schedule. The curriculum includes:

    • 6 modules totaling 50–60 hours of instruction

    • 20+ assignments rooted in real-world business operations

    • 12+ AI-focused assignments and a bonus 13-page AI Guide

    • 30+ customizable templates

    • Live calls with Team Nova, including weekly office hours, kickoff, and graduation sessions

  • You’ll meet directly with Maggie Olson, Founder and CEO of Nova Chief of Staff, or another Team Nova leader for two personalized sessions:

    1. Kickoff Call – A strategic orientation where you’ll set goals for the course

    2. Graduation Call – A reflective, practical planning session focused on applying what you’ve learned to your role or job search

  • Yes. Students can email the instructor inbox at any time to receive personalized feedback from Team Nova.

  • The curriculum helps develop core competencies in:

    • Business planning and rhythm of business

    • Meeting design and facilitation

    • Executive project management and prioritization

    • Executive event leadership and communications

    • Cross-functional stakeholder management

    • Presentation development and storytelling (digital, visual, and verbal)

    • Operating under ambiguity

    • Internal culture building

    • Executive presence

    • AI optimization

    • Strategic gap-filling as a Chief of Staff

  • Most students complete the course in 12 weeks. With lifetime access, you’re free to move at your own pace.

  • “Nova’s course gave me the confidence and validation that I can do the job. It was just what I needed. And all the tools, templates, and hands-on practice helped me feel prepared to step up and go after what I want—not to mention the validation that I was capable.”

    – Anne, Nova Student, 2025

    In addition to confidence and clarity, students leave with:

    • A portfolio of practical work aligned to CoS responsibilities

    • 30+ templates for immediate on-the-job use

    • A one-page summary of new skills for interviews or reviews

    • A digital certificate and LinkedIn badge

    • Membership in our global Nova CoS alumni community

  • Graduates receive a certificate and LinkedIn badge linked to a verified list of skills. You'll also join the Nova CoS alumni network—a growing community of strategic operators across industries who share resources, connections, and job leads.

  • You can absolutely take the course while working or between roles. Many students tailor their assignments to real-life projects, which adds immediate value and relevance.

  • Yes. The Nova Guarantee offers a full refund to any student who completes the entire course and doesn’t find it valuable—though no one has taken us up on it yet.

  • Yes. In addition to your kickoff and graduation calls, we host weekly office hours where you can:

    • Receive real-time feedback

    • Connect with peers

    • Troubleshoot challenges

    Students can also email the instructor inbox at any time for help or feedback.

  • Yes. Nova students receive 20% off coaching and generous discounts on additional Nova courses.

  • Yes. We offer team pricing and support a range of formats—from virtual cohorts and three-day intensives to in-person trainings onsite. Learn more: www.novachiefofstaff.com/trainmyteam

  • We use a complete/incomplete model. Students must complete all 50+ hours and assignments. Team Nova reviews all submissions before issuing certification. The focus is on practical application—not perfection.

  • There’s no written exam. The final assignment is a recorded 10-minute mock 1:1 with an executive where you present your work for approval—a chance to synthesize your learning and demonstrate strategic thinking.

  • Just click the “Enroll Now” button above and follow the prompts!

  • A Chief of Staff is a CEO or Founder’s right hand, their strategic thought partner, who is focused on the leader’s priorities. A CoS can manage large scale projects, create and implement strategic plans, and facilitate high-level meetings and engagements. Chiefs of Staff are masters of follow through and are highly organized, and depending on the size and needs of the business, they may also oversee functions like employee culture, operations, or HR.

    A Chief of Staff allows a CEO or Founder to stay focused on their vision— the “what,” while the CoS steps in to focus on the execution—the “how.” Chiefs of Staff drive organizational clarity by helping lead an effective Rhythm of Business, removing friction and roadblocks, driving process and efficiency, strategic planning, resourcing, and many other capabilities, all dependent on what the business needs.

  • Happy to clarify here. Executive Assistants and CoS both support CEOs or Founders, and at first glance it may be hard to understand the difference: both drive organization and focus, and keeping the CEO / Founder prepared is of utmost importance. However, an EA is focused on highly detailed tasks including expenses, travel, meeting and scheduling logistics, and often personal errands and support for their leader. The CoS is a senior level leader who is a strategic thought partner to the business leader, and may act as their proxy in certain situations. A CoS can manage complex company wide initiatives, lead large teams, oversee operational aspects of the business, and drive strategic planning at a high level.

    COOs and CoS are both strategic, senior leadership roles focused on major company initiatives, but the key difference between the two is that the COO is focused on the overall health of the total business, where the CoS is a role truly designed to support the CEO or Founder and their specific priorities. This includes CEO communications support, priorities alignment and driving, and more. The CoS role is more behind the scenes than the COO, which is more of an outward facing role.

  • This course is designed to set you up for success in landing and excelling in a Chief of Staff role. Through over 50 hours of hands-on, real-world practice, you’ll gain in-depth knowledge of key Chief of Staff duties and leave with a comprehensive portfolio showcasing your work. You will also receive over 30 templates and tools to help you excel on the job, as well as a professional slide deck and a one-page summary of your newly acquired skills to share with potential employers or during interviews. Additionally, graduates gain access to an exclusive LinkedIn group for networking, discounted student coaching packages for continued growth, and a digital badge and certificate of completion to elevate your professional profile. This comprehensive support ensures you are not only prepared for the role but stand out as a top candidate in your job search.

  • CEOs or Founders often turn to hiring a CoS when they realize that they are spending too much time on tactical, executionary items like planning, tracking, and follow up tasks, and not enough time on the strategic, visionary items necessary to guide their business. Additionally, CEOs or Founders often feel they are missing the organizational rigor in their operating rhythm, business planning, and preparedness.

    A CoS can step in and take executional and operational items off a founder’s plate, drive priorities and transparency, ensure leadership teams are focused in the same direction, and create and lead operating cadence/rhythm of business, all leading to greater organizational clarity and focus.

  • Yes! If you’re PACE-certified through the American Society of Administrative Professionals (ASAP), the Nova Chief of Staff Certification course (available online and in-person) has been calculated by PACE for 2.2 CEUs toward your 2.4 CEU recertification requirement.

    This means completing our course will help you fulfill nearly all of your 24 months of PACE recertification needs while building valuable skills for your role.

    To learn more about PACE certification and recertification requirements, visit the ASAP website.

  • We host information sessions several times a month for anyone curious about the Chief of Staff role or our course. Join us: www.novachiefofstaff.com/novacontent

  • Contact the Nova team here (contact form).