Crossword Genius

Killer’s success with staff (3,3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

hit man

'killer's' is the definition.
(hit man is a kind of killer)

'success with staff' is the wordplay.
'success' becomes 'hit' (hit is a kind of success).
'with' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'staff' becomes 'man' (manning is a kind of staffing).
'hit'+'man'='HIT-MAN'

(Other definitions for hit man that I've seen before include "A modern paid assassin" , "In slang, a hired assassin" , "One killing" , "Hired killer" , "Hired murderer" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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