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Andrew, Chief of Staff, Finance at PagerDuty: Advize Career Interview
A fascinating career journey, initially aimed at law, led to a Chief of Staff, Finance position at PagerDuty after a transformative gap year.
This role demands strong organizational skills, the ability to thrive in ambiguity, and a knack for insightful financial analysis.
A typical day involves meticulous planning, managing cross-functional projects, and ensuring the company maintains a strong financial pulse. The fast-paced tech industry's agile nature and focus on innovation are key attractions.
Success in this field requires a risk-taking mentality and strategic prioritization, while entry-level positions aren't always explicitly "Chief of Staff," but rather roles that build crucial foundational skills like organization and problem-solving.
The interviewee emphasizes the importance of actively managing one's career, understanding the diverse nature of Chief of Staff roles across different companies, and the value of attention to detail and adaptability learned through undergraduate experiences, including transferring universities.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Andrew La Follette
Chief of Staff, Finance
PagerDuty
University of Arizona, 2012
UCLA MBA
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Political Science, American Studies
Technology
Finance
Scholarship Recipient, Took Out Loans, Transfer Student
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Career Path of a Finance Chief of Staff at PagerDuty
Andrew's career journey, initially envisioned as a path to law school, took a fascinating turn after a gap year spent teaching English abroad led to a reevaluation of their goals. This led to a series of roles—from sales and project management to customer success management at PagerDuty—culminating in their current position as Chief of Staff, Finance, a role they describe as a move toward "something maybe a bit more strategic, maybe internal facing."
Main Responsibilities of a Finance Chief of Staff at PagerDuty
Andrew, Chief of Staff, Finance at PagerDuty, divides his responsibilities into "operations," managing the CFO organization's daily functions and yearly planning; "project management," leading cross-functional initiatives; and "financial analysis," creating insightful narratives based on financial results. This multifaceted role showcases the significant operational, analytical, and leadership demands of a Chief of Staff position.
A Day in the Life of a Chief of Staff Finance at PagerDuty
A Chief of Staff in Finance at PagerDuty begins each day meticulously organizing tasks and reviewing the CFO's calendar to ensure timely preparation and support. The role then involves managing numerous cross-functional projects, preparing meeting materials, tracking key financial metrics, and conducting financial analysis to "make sure we always have a good pulse on our metrics," ultimately contributing significantly to the company's financial health.
Most Important Skills for a Finance Chief of Staff at PagerDuty
A Chief of Staff in finance requires strong organizational and prioritization skills to manage competing demands, as "so many different things come at me all at once". The ability to operate with ambiguity, finding solutions with limited information and communicating concisely to high-level executives, is also crucial for success in this demanding role.
Favorite Parts Of Being A Chief Of Staff Finance At PagerDuty
Andrew, PagerDuty's Chief of Staff, Finance, loves being "at the heart of the company," actively participating in strategy creation and execution, building processes from the ground up, and witnessing their impact—including successes and failures. This central role allows for a deep understanding of the company's operations and the development of its "infrastructure," from communication to problem-solving.
Biggest Challenges Faced By A Finance Chief Of Staff At PagerDuty
Andrew's biggest challenge as Chief of Staff is "operating with ambiguity and limited information," requiring a "self-starter mindset" to creatively solve problems with incomplete data; this necessitates navigating the organization, finding the right people and information, which, although challenging, is also "really fun."
Favorite Parts of Working in the Software Industry as a Chief of Staff Finance
Andrew, Chief of Staff, Finance at PagerDuty, appreciates the "nimble, agile attitude" and constant evolution of the software and technology industry, finding the continuous improvement and adaptation required to be "energizing" and rewarding for a career. The fast-paced nature, with its "constantly changing" landscape and focus on innovation, is a key draw for this professional.
What Type Of Person Thrives In The Tech Industry According To PagerDuty's Chief Of Staff Finance
Andrew, a Chief of Staff in Finance at PagerDuty, highlights a risk-taking mentality and agile prioritization as key traits for success in the tech industry, stating that "people are constantly pushing the edge of what's possible." This aligns with their own approach, emphasizing calculated risks and dedicated focus to achieve company goals in a competitive landscape.
What a Chief of Staff Finance at PagerDuty Wishes They Had Known About the Role
Andrew, a Chief of Staff in finance, advises aspiring professionals to thoroughly research the Chief of Staff role before entering the industry because its responsibilities vary significantly between companies; "you'll get chiefs of staff that are former VPs... you'll get chiefs of staff who act as like executive assistants," highlighting the need to understand the specific scope of the role at a target company to avoid potential mismatches in expectations and career goals.
Entry-Level Positions For Aspiring Chiefs Of Staff
Andrew, a Chief of Staff, notes that dedicated entry-level chief of staff roles are rare, suggesting instead that "any kind of entry level role" building skills like "organization, prioritization, operating with limited information" is crucial. Andrew's own path, including sales, project management, and customer success, exemplifies the diverse backgrounds suitable for this "jack of all trades" role, with corporate strategy, operations, or project management providing strong stepping stones.
Significant Career Lesson From a Chief of Staff Finance at PagerDuty
Andrew, Chief of Staff, Finance at PagerDuty, emphasizes the importance of "owning your career," actively considering what one enjoys, what is financially viable, and where growth opportunities lie; then, communicating these aspirations to others opens unexpected doors and accelerates career progression.
College Experiences That Helped A Chief Of Staff, Finance At PagerDuty Succeed
Andrew's undergraduate success stemmed from honing crucial skills like "attention to detail" and effective organization, essential for a Chief of Staff role. The ability to balance academic responsibilities with a social life, building "long-lasting friendships," proved equally valuable in navigating the demands of a professional career.
How Identity Has Influenced a Chief of Staff Finance's Career at PagerDuty
Andrew's transfer between universities during undergraduate studies instilled valuable adaptability, proving instrumental in navigating subsequent career transitions. The experience of "starting over" and embracing change, initially daunting, ultimately empowered Andrew to confidently forgo law school and transition into the Chief of Staff role, demonstrating that "it would work itself out".
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