Prince William and Kate search for CEO who must have “low ego”
The Prince and Princess of Wales are looking for a chief executive officer who can handle “difficult situations” for a role that could come with a giant salary.
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The Prince and Princess of Wales are taking applications for a “low ego” chief executive officer who would report directly to the royal couple.
Potential staffers are being encouraged to apply via UK recruitment firm Odgers Berndtson for the role which would manage William and Kate’s household and 60 staff members
The average annual compensation for a CEO in the UK is a mammoth £200,034, ($384,309AUD) according to recruiting site Glassdoor.
In a job advertisement, which wasn’t publicised under the current vacancies section of the Royal Family’s website, the couple said they’re keen to hire an individual who can handle “difficult situations sensitively and with integrity”.
However, the detailed position description did not include a salary range and the royal couple will be responsible for reviewing all applications.
“This is a unique opportunity to join the dedicated team at Kensington Palace who support the outstanding work of their Royal Highnesses The Prince and Princess of Wales,” the job advertisement reads.
“The CEO is the most senior and accountable leader for the household, reporting directly to THR’s The Prince and Princess of Wales.
“They will be responsible for the development and implementation of THR’s long-term strategy and continuing to strengthen a professional and collaborative Household culture.
“Candidates will bring a track record of strategic and cultural leadership in complex- fast-paced settings, and the ability to demonstrate core values of discretion, humility, integrity, and diplomacy, at the heart of this distinctive working environment.”
What sets this move apart is that the CEO will report directly to the royal couple, bypassing the longstanding authority of private secretaries within the royal palaces.
Hours of work are 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday, though the application concedes that overtime may be necessary “for the proper fulfilment of duties, or to meet unexpected or urgent demands”.
As well as heading up Kensington Palace, the CEO will deal directly with the King and Queen’s household, “serving as the strategic interface to Buckingham Palace, to align The Royal Highnesses” priorities with those in support of His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen”.
The ideal candidate would also be “emotionally intelligent, with ‘low ego’, and strong self-awareness and understanding of their impact on others”.
For Australians wanting to apply, a move would be required as the role is based at Kensington Palace in London, where the couple host their staff’s offices.
Regular travel to Windsor Castle, which the couple live near, and some overnighttravel within the UK and internationally, are also expected to for the successful applicant.
A source told the Daily Mail that the job ad is a “revolutionary move”.
“They are overthrowing the traditional, hierarchical structure in which staff answer to private secretaries,” a source said.
“It has really set the cat among the pigeons. Will the King and Queen have to follow their lead?”.
Both Prince William and Prince Harry have shown a shared scepticism toward the palace‘s inner circle, often referred to as the “men in grey” – a term Princess Diana famously used to describe courtiers.
The Waleses may be hoping to have better luck than Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who lost staff in droves after Meghan’s arrival.
It was rumoured that Meghan’s personal assistant Melissa Touabti quit just six months into the job.
Just weeks later, Prince Harry and Meghan’s shared private secretary and top aide, Samantha Cohen, reportedly resigned after 17 years working for the royal family.
Soon after, Meghan’s bodyguard of six months left, making her the third close employee to leave the Duchess of Sussex’s employment in a little over two months.
Any Aussies wanting to throw their hat into the ring can apply here: https://www.odgersberndtson.com/en-gb/opportunities
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Originally published as Prince William and Kate search for CEO who must have “low ego”
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