Have you ever had the role of CEO explained in plain terms? Or figured out the difference between a Chief Information Officer and a Chief Technology Officer? The executive level might be the highest, but many people still don't fully understand who they are and what they do.
Here's everything you need to know about exec-level roles in a company, including their place in the business hierarchy and what each role does. We’ll also reveal which exciting new C-suite executive positions you can expect to see in the future.
C-suite meaning: what is it and where does it sit?
The executive level sits below the Board of Directors in the organisational chart and is known as the 'C-suite'. The C-suite takes its name from the letter 'C' in the word 'chief' — a word that usually features at the start of each role at the executive level. The C-suite is ‘upper management’ and therefore responsible for the day-to-day running of the business.
The Chairperson and the Board of Directors (BoD) make key business decisions on significant issues such as mergers, investments, acquisitions, and senior management hiring. Members of the Board of Directors are elected by the company’s shareholders and are guided by the Chairperson. C-suite executives can also serve on the BoD.
According to the Standards for the Board outlined by the Institute of Directors, the board’s mission is: “to ensure the company's prosperity by collectively directing the company’s affairs, while meeting the appropriate interests of its shareholders and relevant stakeholders.”
Read: Boardroom navigator – towards the C-Suite 2035
8 top C-suite titles and their function
CEO – Chief Executive Officer
Let’s start at the top of the business hierarchy. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is the head of the company. As the name suggests, they oversee all senior management team executives.
The CEO is responsible for establishing and maintaining the company culture and for directing the company towards achieving the targets set by the Board of Directors. The CEO represents the company to the public, shareholders, and the Board of Directors.
CMO – Chief Marketing Officer
The Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) is responsible for all marketing and advertising within the company.
They set and oversee marketing strategies and allocate advertising budgets. The CMO nurtures leads, develops the company’s sales funnel, and manages marketing channels, tools, and infrastructures.
CTO – Chief Technical Officer
The Chief Technical Officer or Chief Technology Officer (CTO) oversees the company’s technology architecture.
They ensure company tech is aligned with its goals and priorities and are responsible for honing any systems/technology sold by the company. The CTO sits in the C-suite, beneath the CEO.
CIO – Chief Information Officer
A Chief Information Officer (CIO) sits within the executive team and manages the company’s IT infrastructure.
The CIO differs from a CTO in that they have a more internal focus - ensuring smooth business operations with appropriate IT systems and serving as the face of the IT department.
CFO – Chief Financial Officer
A Chief Financial Officer (CFO) runs the company’s finances. Their responsibility as part of the executive management team is to guide the company regarding its financial strengths and weaknesses.
They oversee financial planning, cash flow, accounting, and all financial reporting.
CHRO – Chief Human Resources Officer
The Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) or Chief People Officer supports the business’s plans and strategies by acquiring, retaining, and safeguarding its talent.
It’s their responsibility to build satisfactory remuneration and compensation packages and to guide staff's career development and training.
CCO – Chief Compliance Officer
A company’s ability to comply with regulatory requirements, laws, procedures, and policies rests with the Chief Compliance Officer (CCO).
They are subject matter experts responsible for advising and guiding company actions. The CCO reports directly to both the Board of Directors and the CEO and liaises with regulators on behalf of the company.
CTrO/CTO role – Chief Transformation Officer
The Chief Transformation Officer (CTO/CTrO) leads change programmes. They’re responsible for aligning business strategy and people, and for restoring performance after periods of disruption.
A CTrO needs robust skills in change management, project management, storytelling, resilience, and conflict management. They should also have excellent knowledge of CSR/ESG and strong strategic thinking skills.
The future of the C-suite
AI knowledge is the skill redefining the future of the C-suite. According to 84% of business leaders, it will be the key skill for C-suite leaders by 2035, leading to the emergence of the Chief AI Officer (CAO) role.
The CAO, also known as the CAIDO (Chief AI and Data Officer), is responsible for planning, implementing and managing AI initiatives to drive business goals. They are responsible for scaling AI across the business and bringing it into departments, ensuring that all data used in AI models is ethical, secure, and compliant, while also mitigating model risk. The CAO works closely with the CTO, CIO, and CSO to determine where and how to deploy AI, serving as a bridge between machine learning systems and executive decision-making.
Tangentially, we see the emergence of the Chief Data Officer (CDO), tasked with managing data as a strategic business asset. The CDO is responsible for data governance, compliance, and positioning data as a public asset. In larger organisations, the CDO position can be absorbed by the CAIDO role.
The future of the C-suite will also be defined by transformation initiatives — something which was once aspirational but has now become critical to survival. Almost two-thirds (60%) of business leaders say workforce transformation experience will be essential by 2035. In response, organisations are expected to start hiring for Chief Technology Transformation Officer (CTTO) roles.
The CTTO is a specialised role which focuses on the technology side of transformation, unlike the CTrO, which focuses on the union of people and tech. The CTTO leads enterprise-wide digital change programmes and upgrades legacy platforms, while minimising tech risk exposure. In larger businesses, you may find the CTTO working alongside the Chief Talent Transformation Officer to achieve outcomes.
Contact our specialist executive search team for more information on upcoming C-suite roles and to find the right fit for existing executive vacancies.
