Vice media has hired Alyssa Mastromonaco, former White House deputy chief of staff, as its chief operating officer.

Mastromonaco will oversee operations for all of Vice’s divisions and platforms, including the company’s main lines of business across digital, mobile and linear. Additionally, she will be responsible for expanding the youth brand’s network of channels, partnerships and joint ventures worldwide.

Mastromonaco is credited with being one of President Obama’s most trusted aides and a pivotal force behind the White House’s strategic operations.

Mastromonaco said: “When presented with the opportunity to join Vice, I didn’t hesitate in accepting. I have always been drawn to an organisation made up of people who know exactly what they stand for, where they’re going, and how they want to get there. Even as Vice continues to flourish and grow, they’ve remained true to their mission: telling important, compelling stories in a way others don’t, in a visceral way.”

Vice founder and chief executive Shane Smith added: “The only thing in this world crazier and more freaky than Vice right now is the US Government, and as such I believe that there is no one out there better or more uniquely suited in their skill set of managing chaos than Alyssa, and am sure that she will quickly and nimbly take the reins of this wild pony and harness the trajectory of our amazingly talented staff and new stable of emerging stars.”

Vice’s previous chief operating officer, Richard Waterlow will return to Vice’s European headquarters in London to take on the new role of president of Vice International.

Mastromonaco will officially assume her new position in January 2015.