What Is the C-Level?

The C-level, also called the C-suite, describes the group of the highest-ranking and most senior employees within an organization or corporation. Their job titles typically have the word “Chief” in them, indicating they are a leader and lending to the “C” in C-level. This group of leaders are the most influential and are tasked with creating and guiding the corporation’s business strategy.

C-level executives are high-ranking and senior professionals who are at the top level of their departments in a business or organization, such as Compliance, Human Resources, and Marketing. As the department head, C-level executives are defined by their primarily strategic responsibilities such as developing corporate strategies and managing their departments towards meeting the organization’s overall goals.

Because the success of an organization heavily rests on the shoulders of its C-level executives, their compensation is typically the highest in a corporation. Their pay ranges from $100k to well over 3 million dollars, not including perks such as stock options, cash bonuses, or the use of a company car.

The size and make-up of C-levels can vary from organization to organization and are based on several factors. These factors include the size of the company; the mission, vision, or goals of the organization; and current business needs. Smaller businesses have smaller C-suites than larger corporations. Changes in business needs may require the creation of a new position or result in the termination of a position that is no longer needed.

The most common C-level positions include:

• Chief Executive Officer (CEO): The top executive. As the highest-ranking executive, all other C-level executives report to the CEO. The CEO oversees all business operations and decisions and responsible for the success of the organization. They are considered the face of the organization. The Chief Executive Officer is also responsible for hiring and firing other C-level executives as well as making the final decision on any plans, strategies, or projects. In larger corporations, the CEO reports to the Board of Directors. In smaller businesses, the CEO may be known as the President.

Learn more: Chief Executive Officer

• Chief Operating Officer (COO): Working closely with the CEO, the COO is typically the second-in-command. The Chief Operating Officer oversees the day-to-day business operations and ensures the organization’s business strategies, policies, and procedures are implemented. Additional responsibilities may include overseeing the human resources and payroll departments. This is typical in smaller businesses.

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• Chief Financial Officer (CFO): As the top financial executive, the CFO oversees all financial and accounting activities of the organization. As head of the financial and accounting departments, the Chief Financial Officer is responsible for determining the organization’s long-term financial plan. Additional responsibilities include creating and approving budgets, analyzing financial risks, managing cash flow, and ensuring accurate compliance and reporting.

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• Chief Information Officer (CIO): The CIO oversees an organization’s overall Information Technology (IT) strategies and solutions. As the head of the IT department, the Chief Information Officer supervises the IT specialists responsible for the day-to-day IT operations. The CIO works closely with other executives to ensure to company’s technical needs are met and how to incorporate new technology for the organization’s benefit.

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• Chief Marketing Officer (CMO): The head of the Marketing department, the CMO oversees the company’s marketing strategies. Tasked with building and implementing the organization’s branding, promotional and advertising efforts, the Chief Marketing Officer controls how the organization is portrayed to the public. Additional responsibilities include overseeing communications, pricing, customer service, and market research.

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• Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO): Tasked with overseeing the organization’s employee operations, the CHRO manages long-term human resources strategies, such as talent acquisitions and succession planning. As the head of human resources, the Chief Human Resources Officer’s primary responsibilities include developing policies and procedures for employee development, promotion, retention.

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• Chief Compliance Officer (CCO): The lead legal executive for the company, the CCO oversees all internal and external compliance-related activities. The Chief Compliance Officer ensures the organization is compliant with all federal and local laws, rules, and depending on the industry, applicable regulations. Additional responsibilities include drafting and implementing policies and guidelines to ensure compliance and addressing internal compliance issues that occur among employees.

Learn more: Chief Compliance Officer

• The larger and more industry-specific corporations have less common C-level executives such as a Chief Medical Officer, Chief Diversity Officer, Chief Innovation Officer, and Chief Engineer.

It is common for C-level executives to be experts in their respective fields. However, being a C-level executive requires more than technical and functional subject matter expertise. There is a greater emphasis on qualities and skills needed to ensure an organization’s success.

As the success of an organization rests heavily on the shoulders of its C-level executives, there are common skills and qualities recruiters and companies look for in their C-level executives, including:

• Leadership skills: Leadership skills are at the top of any list of desired skills in a C-level executive. As the leaders of the organization, C-level executives are expected to effectively lead, influence, and motivate people, not only their employees but competitors and customers.
• Communication: The second most requested skill, communication works in tandem with leadership skills. C-level executives need to effectively engage with a variety of people while being persuasive, transparent, and approachable.
• Decision-making skills: C-level executives are responsible for making major decisions on the fly with limited necessary information available, so effective decision-making skills are a must. C-level executives need to have a variety of techniques at their disposal to make a decision that affects the organization as a whole.
• Management experience: C-level management experience includes not only the ability to manage people but also processes and resources to meet company objectives. C-level executives must have effective management skills and techniques to competently manage the departments they oversee and the executive level strategies to advance the organization.
• Innovative & strategic thinking: Some of the most successful C-level leaders are those that always think outside of the box and creating plans with the future in mind. C-level executives must consider the organization as a whole when developing its strategic plan and think of how success for the company looks in both the long and short term.
• Accountability: As heads of their respective departments, C-level executives are expected to be accountable and take responsibility for their work and the work of their team members. Successful executives take the lead by claiming responsibility for the failures of the team, and inspiring team members to overcome and fix them.
• Integrity: Being tasked with making high-stakes decisions and guiding the organization’s strategic plans, C-level executive leaders are expected to act with integrity and be trustworthy. They must understand the importance of being honest and transparent with employees, colleagues, and customers.

Besides the skills discussed listed above, most C-level positions require graduate-level education, considerable work experience and professional development, and proven leadership skills. To increase your chances of obtaining a C-level executive position consider the following:

• Obtaining a graduate-level degree such as a Master of Business Administration (MBA) or a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership (MSOL) provides a foundational understanding of the basic business processes.
• Supplementing an advanced degree with continuing education certificates and participation in associations increases your business knowledge and keeps you relevant. Attending training programs on organizational leadership and effective communication can be useful in developing the leadership skills employers look for.
• Ensuring your work history and experience are broad and long-ranging, showing not only subject matter expertise but also the ability to take on any role. Be open to taking on new responsibilities and applying to open positions within your company.
• Participating in professional development programs and activities that cover different business areas such as finance, compliance, and information technology. Take advantage of company-sponsored training programs.
• Creating a proven track record of your leadership skills by participating in activities that boost your leadership experience and visibility. Seek out a C-level executive mentor or mentor a junior employee, participate in professional or industry-specific associations, or volunteer to speak at business panels and conventions.
• Working with an executive leadership coach to further develop your leadership skills and build your confidence. Executive leadership coaches offer invaluable insight not only into the industry but also your overall career goals.

Now that you know what skills, experience, and education are needed to obtain a C-level position, are you ready to start the search for your dream C-level executive position?