<P> The White House Chief of Staff has traditionally been the highest - ranking employee of the White House . The chief of staff's position is a modern successor to the earlier role of the president's private secretary . The role was formalized as the Assistant to the President in 1946 and acquired its current name in 1961 . </P> <P> The Chief of Staff is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the President; it does not require Senate confirmation . </P> <P> John F. Kelly is the current Chief of Staff, succeeding Reince Priebus on July 31, 2017 . </P> <P> The duties of the White House chief of staff vary greatly from one administration to another and, in fact, there is no legal requirement that the president even fill the position . However, since at least 1979, all presidents have found the need for a chief of staff, who typically oversees the actions of the White House staff, manages the president's schedule, and decides who is allowed to meet with the president . Because of these duties, the chief of staff has at various times been labeled "The Gatekeeper", or "the power behind the throne". </P>

Who is chief of staff at the white house