Susie Wiles is considered the leading candidate to become Trump's chief of staff in the White House

After helping facilitate Donald Trump's unlikely and overwhelming victory in the presidential election, Susie Wiles, the future president's humble co-campaign chief, is considered… He is the leading candidate to become his White House chief of staff, according to six sources familiar with discussions within the campaign.

In a world torn by rivalries, aides value Wiles' ability to command Trump's respect and lock down big personalities. If elected, Wiles would become the first female White House chief of staff in history.

“It inspired great respect and loyalty among employees. She doesn't play games. And she means what she says: On the campaign trail, she said we checked egos at the door and stopped everyone from doing that,” said a campaign official who, like others in this article, was granted anonymity to speak candidly or because they they were not authorized to speak publicly. “The team of rivals concept didn’t come into play here.”

“Susie is as good as it gets,” a second Trump campaign official said. “She ran a great campaign and has the respect of everyone, including Democrats, who recognize her talent. She would make a great Chief of Staff and serve the President at his pleasure. After all, it's his White House.” A third Trump campaign official said Wiles was already playing the de facto role of chief of staff and that the staff largely wanted her to get the job. There will be a large staff meeting at campaign headquarters on Thursday, chaired by Wiles.

Aides believe she would take the job if Trump made a strong appeal to Wiles – and it is widely hoped she will.

“If she wants it, it’s hers,” said an aide familiar with the discussions. “Her standing with Trump and what she just accomplished (winning by a wide margin) make it easy for her to make a decision if she wants to.”

Another Trump adviser said the job was Wiles's if she wanted it. NBC News has reached out to Wiles for comment.

“If she really wants it, I’m not sure how competitive that would be,” the adviser said familiarly.

Trump is notoriously superstitious and has distanced himself from planning for a future administration that began in the final months of his campaign. But planning now begins in earnest and the choice of who will lead his operation will be one of the most important as he hopes to push through a sweeping agenda.

In a statement Wednesday, Trump's transition team said his victory provided “a mandate” for their agenda “that puts our nation's working men and women first.”

“As he selects the best people for his team and the best policies to pursue, his transition team will ensure the implementation of President Trump's common-sense agenda from day one,” said the two advisers chosen to lead his Interim selections included Cantor Fitzgerald CEO Howard Lutnick and Linda McMahon, a cabinet member during the first Trump administration and executive director.

Wiles, the daughter of famous American football player and sportscaster Pat Summerall, led the staff through attempted assassinations, a change at the top of the Democratic voter roll and a slump in the polls.

“She would be anyone’s first choice, but it’s his decision,” the first campaign manager said.

The 2024 campaign marked the first time that Trump has not changed his core campaign leadership team during a race, a dynamic that even he alluded to while speaking to reporters on Tuesday when he mentioned Wiles by name, leading his victory in once-purple Florida had secured in 2016.

“Some people said it was the best campaign they had ever seen, but to prevail you have to win,” Trump said as he cast his vote. “My team… a lot of them are the same players – as you know, Susie.”

Trump praised Wiles during his victory speech on Tuesday, sharing her nickname and alluding to her essential work behind the scenes: “We call her the Ice Maiden. Susie likes to stay in the background – she’s not in the background.”

“I think many of the president's closest allies really recognize the value that their partnership has created,” said Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz. “They complement each other perfectly.”

Trump's transition leaders are some of his longtime friends and allies: Lutnick, who often accompanied him on his hikes in the final weeks of his campaign – including on his return to Butler, Pennsylvania – and McMahon, a former official in his first administration.

Other names actively being considered for the White House chief of staff position include Brooke Rollins, a former top Trump White House adviser who now runs the Trump-affiliated America First Policy Institute, and the former majority leader in the House of Representatives, Kevin McCarthy.

Notably, Rollins had a prominent speaking role last month during an appearance at Trump's rally at Madison Square Garden, where Lutnick spoke. In an appearance on Fox News on Thursday, McCarthy said he would not become chief of staff and praised Wiles as someone who would “do a great job.”

A campaign official said Rollins and McCarthy all had ties to Trump, but only one candidate had the staff's professional respect and loyalty.

“And this is Susie,” the person added.