According to the recently released Global Family Office Compensation Report, created by Agreus and KPMG Private Enterprise, 60% of the Family Offices worldwide have less than 9 employees. Indeed, Family Offices typically have small, high-performing teams who manage significant wealth. This connection is bound by trust, discretion, and long-term commitment. In such a setting, while technical expertise might open the door, it is often the soft skills that determine whether an individual truly belongs.
Technical Skills: The Foundation
Every Family Office role needs a level of technical proficiency that cannot be compromised, especially considering the significant amount of assets that are being managed. Whether in finance, investments, legal, or operations, candidates must bring proven expertise and a deep understanding of their field. Competencies such as compliance, risk management, financial acumen, and strategic planning form the backbone of any Family Office operation.
Certifications and qualifications, such as Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Certified Public Accountant (CPA), or trust and estate accreditations, demonstrate a commitment to professional excellence. They provide assurance that a candidate possesses the analytical rigour and technical foundation to perform effectively.
However, while these capabilities are critical, they are only one part of the equation.
Soft Skills: The Differentiators
In Family Offices, success is often defined by discretion, loyalty, and emotional intelligence (EQ). These attributes cannot be taught as easily as technical skills, yet they are indispensable in building trust with the Principal and safeguarding the family’s interests.
Discretion and confidentiality are absolute requirements in the Family Office world. Family Office professionals are privy to highly sensitive information and must operate with an unwavering sense of integrity. Loyalty and long-term commitment are equally vital, reflecting not just dedication to the role, but also alignment with the family’s values and legacy.
Family Offices are deeply personal environments where family dynamics and business interests intersect. This is why EQ and cultural sensitivity also play a pivotal role. A high EQ allows professionals to manage sensitive situations with maturity, read subtle cues, and communicate with tact. Family Offices are way more people-centric than the corporate world, therefore true professionals must understand the nuances of personality, communicate with empathy, and adapt to evolving family relationships. For further reading on assessing EQ and Cultural fit in the hiring process, you can read our comprehensive white paper The Complete Guide to Cultural Fit here.
Agreus has seen numerous examples where candidates with exceptional soft skills have outperformed technically stronger peers, not because they were more knowledgeable, but because they understood how to balance professionalism with personal connection.
Finding the Right Balance
Family Offices cannot afford to prioritise only one set of skills over the other. Hiring purely on technical credentials without considering cultural or personality fit often leads to friction, disengagement, and turnover, all of which can disrupt operations and damage trust.
A balanced approach begins with clarity around what the Family Office needs. Beyond role descriptions, it involves assessing interpersonal dynamics, workplace culture, communication styles, and value alignment. Structured interviews, behavioural assessments, and reference checks can help uncover a candidate’s character and approach to confidentiality, loyalty, and EQ. We have formulated a list of example questions you can ask in the interview process to assess these soft qualities, you can read the full article here.
Ultimately, technical and soft skills should complement one another, the former ensuring competence, the latter ensuring cohesion.
Where Agreus Fits In
Agreus understands that technical excellence alone does not guarantee success in a Family Office. Its recruitment process is designed to evaluate both professional capability and alignment with family culture and values.
Through a combination of deep expertise in the Family Office space and a consultative approach, Agreus identifies individuals who bring not only experience but also the soft skills required to thrive in this distinctive environment.
There have been numerous placements where soft skills proved to be the decisive factor. One notable example involved appointing a Chief Investment Officer who was responsible for communicating complex investment ideas to a diverse group of family members. This audience ranged from individuals with deep financial expertise to those with very limited investment knowledge. The role required the incumbent to tailor their communication style, build and maintain strong relationships with all stakeholders, and identify what information was most relevant to each person. Success depended not only on technical competence but also on the ability to engage effectively across varying levels of understanding and interest.
With a global track record and a deep understanding of what makes Family Offices operates effectively, Agreus ensures every placement represents the right blend of technical proficiency and personal integrity.
If you are looking to build a team that combines technical excellence with loyalty and discretion, speak to Agreus about how we can help you identify the right people for your Family Office.