Are you a ‘low ego’ CEO? Prince William and Kate Middleton may have a job for you

Are you an experienced leader with a strong sense of self-awareness and an innovative approach? Then you might be what the Prince and Princess of Wales are searching for.

Indeed, Prince William and Kate Middleton are seeking a CEO to help run their household at Kensington Palace, their official residence in London. They no longer live there, having moved to a cottage in Windsor, but use the address as their permanent residence and office.

Through a job listing posted by recruitment firm Odgers Berndston, the move is seen as a break from tradition and an attempt to shake up the management structure of their household.

According to the job listing, the CEO is the “most senior and accountable leader” of the household, and will report to The Prince and Princess”, leading the organisation, and supporting its senior leaders to “deliver the work and impact” of the offices.

This represents a wholly different approach from the Prince and Princess, as, traditionally, staff would answer to private secretaries, who then handle all matters. The household would usually be managed by a master of the household, who’d have a military background. However, as mentioned earlier, the new CEO will answer only to the Prince and Princess themselves.

Some of the key attributes required among a long list include being “emotionally intelligent” with a “low ego”, “strong self-awareness” and understanding how their behaviour impacts others.

The CEO will manage Kensington Palace’s leadership team and the overall household, which comprises around 60 people, while creating “strong alignment to short and long-term objectives” and developing a “positive, collaborative, and professional culture”. They will also work closely with CEOs of The Royal Foundation, The Duchy of Cornwall, and The Earthshot Prize to “support and maximise” the impact of The Prince and Princess’ work. Among various other responsibilities, the CEO must serve as the “strategic interface” to Buckingham Palace, to align Prince William and Princess Catherine’s priorities with those in support of the King and Queen.

The candidate must be an experienced leader with a track record of “building high-performing teams, inspiring and developing people, supporting diversity and inclusion, and building a positive, collaborative and professional culture”. They also must be able to operate as a “servant leader” to empower the senior team, while also developing a vision through long-term goals and deliverable plans.

The listing states that the candidate will be required to work 37 and a half hours per week from Monday to Friday, together with other hours that are “necessary for the proper fulfilment of duties, or to meet unexpected or urgent demands”. The CEO will be primarily based at Kensington Palace, but will also be required to travel regularly to Windsor Castle, together with some overnight travel within the UK and internationally, “as and when required”.