C-level jobs, also known as C-suite jobs, refer to high-ranking executive titles with the "C" standing for chief. Corporate executives in C-level positions are the most powerful and influential people in an organization. They make more important decisions, have a more demanding workload, and thus have high salaries. Show
C-level jobs (the highest ranking roles at an organization) are the top corporate executive positions in a company. They are the leadership team of the organization.
C-level positions are available across all industries, and the skills and experience required from these executives can vary by industry. However, nearly all corporate executive jobs require leadership and recruiting skills, along with the ability to develop and implement a strategic vision to support the organization's goals. With the advent of the internet and the burgeoning start-up world, new C-level positions have proliferated. Companies now hire for roles such as chief experience officer, for example, responsible for the user's experience with the site, app, or product, and for chief privacy officer, in charge of protecting user and corporate data. Although there may be more job titles in the C-level now, the three most common positions across all industries remain the same: Chief Executive Officer (CEO): The CEO is responsible for the overall path of the company. A CEO will be praised (and likely receive additional compensation) when the company is successful, and also held responsible if there are failures or setbacks. Chief Financial Officer (CFO): The CFO oversees the company's financials. Along with budgeting, accounting, and reporting, this role can also involve forecasting and investing. Chief Operations Officer (COO): The COO is in charge of day-to-day operations at the company, and often oversees the human resources department. Here's a list of sample corporate-level job titles with a description of the position.
Learn more about C-level Management, including common C-level positions, essential skills, step-by-step guide, and frequently asked questions.
I compiled a list of C Level titles to help you think about the executive org chart. Below you’ll find 3 main sections:
Note: Want more job title data? Check out our ongoing series called Job Titles: The Definitive Guide The most common C-level titles are:
There are numerous other C-Level titles and they typically report to the CEO or President. Other common ones include Chief Information Officer, Chief Human Resources Officer, Chief Technology Officer and Chief Revenue Officer. CEO vs President?Some get confused about the use of CEO vs President in a job title. A few tips::
CEO vs COO?Others wonder what the difference is between a CEO and COO. Some tips:
President vs the COOHow about the President vs the COO: who’s more senior? It depends on the company and how they are organized. Many companies have both the President and the COO at the same level, reporting directly to the CEO. In succession planning it is often the President and COO who are trying to be promoted to CEO. C-Level Titles Candidates Search for the MostHere’s a pie chart of the most commonly searched C level job titles in Corporate America. In other words, these are the titles that job seekers type in on Google (e.g. “CIO Jobs”, “CEO Jobs”, etc. I don’t know why CIO beats CEO in job searches. Maybe CEOs are more accustomed to being called by a recruiter (vs. Googling for their jobs). . C-Level Titles Search for the Most (Gov’t, Healthcare, Academic, Non-Profit)And here are the C Level job titles job seekers search for outside traditional for-profit organizations: Disclaimer: The charts above and list below are focused on C Level job titles. I do not list other corporate executive titles such as managing directors or executive VP positions that report to the C Suite. The 20 Most Common C Level Titles (Corporate)Below is a list of the 20 most common C Level job titles. The first, the CEO, runs the show. The rest are the most common senior executive titles and usually, but not always, report to the CEO. A General Counsel, for example, sometimes reports to the COO. And the Chief Technology Officer might report the Chief Information Officer. In each case, I point out the title that candidates search Google for the most. If you’re looking to recruit people for this position, this will help you with search engine optimization (SEO). For example, you want to use CEO (not Chief Executive Officer) and CIO (not Chief Information Officer). CEOA CEO (Chief Executive Officer) is the highest top-level executive position within a for-profit organization. A CEO is responsible for choosing and executing the strategic direction for the company. They are also typically the public face of the organization when it comes to communication with employees, customers and shareholders. The CEO reports to the board of directors (and the board is run by the chairperson). # of Google Searches per Month: 1,800 PresidentThe President is often the highest-ranking position at a small business (one without a CEO) or the #2 position at larger enterprises (usually reporting to the CEO). The president role may also include responsibility for a business unit or other segment of a company (e.g. President of Asia Pacific). # of Google Searches per Month: 150 COOA COO, or chief operating officer is responsible for the day to day operations of the company. A COO is usually the second-highest-ranking executive in a company, reporting to the CEO, or #3 if there is a position of president. As important as the CEO is to the outside of the company, the COO is to the inside of the company. # of Google Searches per Month: 450 (COO); 400 (Chief Operating Officer) CFOA CFO, also known as a chief financial officer, is responsible for managing the books and records for a company as well as financial reporting and statutory compliance. A CFO ensures business decisions and organizational strategy are made based on reliable financial criteria. # of Google Searches per Month: 1,100 (CFO) and 250 (Chief Financial Officer) General CounselThe chief lawyer of an organization is typically called the General Counsel or Chief Legal Officer (CLO). Their primary focus is on corporate governance, regulations, protecting intellectual property and handling litigation. A General Counsel often uses outside law firms to support their priorities. # of Google Searches per Month: 1,000 CIO (Chief Information Officer)The chief information officer (CIO) is responsible for Information Technology (IT) strategy to support an organization’s goals and objectives. A chief information officer usually manages a team of IT specialists responsible for maintaining the day-to-day IT operations. # of Google Searches per Month: 2,500 (for “CIO”); 350 for “Chief Information Officer” Note: The acronym CIO is also used to describe the Chief Innovation Officer and Chief Investment Officer (see below). CHROA CHRO, also called a chief human resources officer, is responsible for designing overseeing all human resources functions. A CHRO leads talent acquisition, employer branding, talent management and, sometimes diversity and culture initiatives. # of Google Searches per Month: 150 for CHRO; 150 for Chief Human Resource Officer; and 100 for Chief Human Resources Officer Chief Diversity OfficerA chief diversity officer, or CDO, is a leader in an organization who develops, manages, and supports diversity and inclusion strategies. A chief diversity officer typically leads any diversity and inclusion initiatives. They may also be responsible for overseeing employees complaints about harassment or discrimination and developing culture change. # of Google Searches per Month: 200 CTOA chief technology officer, commonly called a CTO, manages a company’s technology solutions. A CTO works directly with other executives to implement new technology solutions and solve problems related to technology within an organization. A CTO is a forwarding thinking executive that sets goals and decides how technology factors into key business decisions. The CTO often reports to the CEO in smaller companies or the CIO or COO in larger companies. Sometimes, the CTO is also the Head of IT. # of Google Searches per Month: 600 (CTO); 200 (Chief Technology Officer); Chief Technical Officer (20) Chief Marketing OfficerA chief marketing officer, also known as a CMO, is responsible for setting marketing goals and objectives for an organization. The primary role of a chief marketing officer is to manage branding, advertising and public relations. # of Google Searches per Month: 400 (Chief Marketing Officer); 250 (CMO) Chief Revenue OfficerA chief revenue officer is a newer executive position that holds the responsibility of capitalizing on new revenue opportunities that are created by digital products and services. A chief revenue officer is tasked with connecting the sales, marketing, and customer relationship management teams and processes within an organization to create the ideal customer experience. # of Google Searches per Month: 300 (CRO); 80 (Chief Revenue Officer) Chief Compliance OfficerA chief compliance officer, known as a CCO, is responsible for streamlining compliance processes like policy management, risk assessments, regulatory change management, and case investigations. The chief compliance officer oversees compliance in an organization and ensures their company remains in compliance with policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements. # of Google Searches per Month: 300 Chief Security OfficerA chief security officer, commonly known as a CSO, is the leader of a department that is responsible for information security and corporate security. A chief security officer is tasked with maintaining the physical security and safety of a company’s facilities, assets, and employees. # of Google Searches per Month: 250 (CSO); 100 (Chief Security Officer) Chief Investment OfficerA chief investment officer (known as CIO in the investment world) is the executive managing the oversight of investments at a company, organization, or institution. They are typically in charge of managing and allocating a company’s portfolios. The chief investment officer at a mutual fund hedge fund, for example, is in charge of maximizing the fund’s return on portfolio assets. # of Google Searches per Month: 200 Chief Risk OfficerA chief risk officer is an executive whose role is to identify, analyze, and mitigate internal or external risks for an organization. The chief risk officer makes sure the company complies with government regulations and reviews factors that could damage a company’s investments or business units. # of Google Searches per Month: 150 Chief Strategy OfficerA chief strategy officer, also known as a CSO, is an executive who creates and implements short term and long term strategic goals and change management activities for a company.
# of Google Searches per Month: 100 Chief Innovation OfficerA chief innovation officer is responsible for identifying, developing, and launching new products and services for an organization. A chief innovation officer also builds and grows an organization’s innovation capabilities, both internally and externally, to make the brand more desirable. The chief information officer develops and manages plans to differentiate the company in the market, provide unique value to customers, and help build long-term relationships with customers. # of Google Searches per Month: 70 Chief Research OfficerA chief research officer is responsible for the overall vision and strategy of research functions within a company. These include data science, data analytics, and survey research. The duties of a chief research officer include:
# of Google Searches per Month: 10 Chief EngineerThe chief engineer position responsible for the engineering department at a company. Chief engineering duties include approving project designs, assigning engineers, and technicians who comply with safety and structural standards during a project. # of Google Searches per Month: 200 (Chief Engineer); 200 (Chief Engineers); New, More Modern C-Suite Job TitlesThere are many new C-level job titles created over the last 10 years. They include:
C Level Job Titles Used in Non-Profit, Health, etc.The job titles outside of traditional corporations vary. For example, non-profits typically call their CEO an Executive Director: Executive DirectorAn executive director is a job title used more commonly in non profit organizations. The executive director is appointed by the board of directors and is a leader of the organization. An executive director works closely with the board of directors to develop strategic plans, and they are responsible for the culture of their organization. An executive director is also responsible for overseeing budget and marketing efforts for an organization. # of Google Searches per Month: 1,300 And healthcare facilities often have these 2 key C Level positions: Chief Medical OfficerA chief medical officer is a licensed physician who oversees clinical operations at a health institution. A chief medical officer is tasked with being the liaison between doctors and healthcare executives. Other duties for the chief medical officer include:
# of Google Searches per Month: 400 Chief Nursing OfficerA chief nursing officer, commonly known as a head nurse or Chief Nurse Executive, director of nursing, or vice president of nursing, oversees hospital operations that impact the quality of nursing. A chief nursing officer is also responsible for budget development, staff management and regulatory compliance. They often report to the COO. # of Google Searches per Month: 200 The Longer List of C Level TitlesEditor’s Note: There are so many more chief officer titles than the 20 I have above. So, I’m going to start to keep a longer list of titles below in alphabetical order (for quick reference). I wonder how big this list will get! The long list:
Funny C-Level job titlesThis list of C-Level job titles is not complete without a list of 20 funny job titles from our blog 100+ Creative & Funny Job Titles [by Department & Position]. Enjoy!
Which C-Level job titles did I miss?Please ping me in the comments below if you know of a C-level title that I’ve missed in this article. Thanks! Why I wrote this? Ongig’s job description software recommends the best C Level job titles as well as job titles for any department. Please check out Ongig.com to learn more. The title you use for your JD can make a huge difference in how many applicants view and click your job posting. |