What Is the C-Suite? How to Become a C-Suite Executive

The term "C-suite" refers to the collection of chief officers who lead a business or organization. Such officers include a company's chief executive officer (CEO), who leads the entire company. Other C-level executives report to the CEO and helm individual branches of the company. For instance, a chief marketing officer (CMO) oversees all company marketing initiatives, while a chief technology officer (CTO) manages the company's use of computers and digital systems.

In most cases, the term "C-suite" does not refer to a physical office suite, but rather to a collection of senior executives. The letter C stands for "chief," as C-suite executives are the highest-level managers in their respective departments.

The number of C-level positions within an organization depends upon the size of the company, but there are some common senior management positions found in many organizations.

1. 1. Chief executive officer (CEO): The CEO is the highest-ranking position within an organization. They typically oversee all other top executives within the C-suite. In many cases, the CEO is the public face of the company. The CEO reports to a company's board of directors, and only that board may hire or fire them.
2. 2. Chief operating officer (COO): In many business structures, the chief operating officer is second-in-command to the chief executive officer. A COO tends to manage the everyday business operations of the company and needs a degree of working know-how in all of its business units.
3. 3. Chief financial officer (CFO): The CFO corporate title goes to a senior executive who oversees all financial operations within a business.
4. 4. Chief human resources officer (CHRO): This executive position oversees all decision-making related to employees. They focus on employee acquisition, employee development, promotions, and succession planning.
5. 5. Chief compliance officer (CCO): A chief compliance officer makes sure that the company adheres to laws, regulations, and internal company protocol. They may also manage the company’s in-house legal department.
6. 6. Chief social scientist (CSS): The chief social scientist works with the CHRO and CCO to design workplace policies and environments that nurture employees while helping the company thrive.
7. 7. Chief marketing officer (CMO): The CMO oversees all employees who work in marketing strategy and market research.
8. 8. Chief security officer (CSO): The chief security officer protects all property—physical, intellectual, and digital—within a company. They also ensure employee safety. Some businesses also have a chief information security officer (CISO) who exclusively focuses on digital security.
9. 9. Chief risk officer (CRO): The chief risk officer keeps a company focused on risk management while supporting the company's overall business strategy.
10. 10. Chief technology officer (CTO): The CTO is in charge of all computing platforms and information technology systems.
11. 11. Chief information officer (CIO): The CIO focuses on corporate research and development. At some companies, they also absorb the duties of a CTO.
12. 12. Chief data officer (CDO): A CDO manages the company's use of data—particularly in the digital realm. In some small businesses, the same person performs the work of a CTO, CIO, and CDO.
13. 13. Chief green officer (CGO): A chief green officer is a relatively new position that oversees an organization's environmental policies and helps it grow in a sustainable manner.

Advancement strategies will vary depending on your industry, but there are four key tips for everyday workers who want to become senior executives.

1. 1. Develop your leadership skills. C-suite executives go beyond completing their own work and excelling at technical skills; they must also lead large teams. Build up your written and verbal communication skills to prepare yourself for C-suite responsibilities.
2. 2. Seek a corporate mentor. If you want to know what it takes to be a C-level executive, the best thing you can do is ask someone who has already done the job. If you have the opportunity to engage with a C-suite exec at your current company, do so. Let them know about your career goals and ask them for advice.
3. 3. Pursue higher education in business. While attending graduate school won’t guarantee your entry into the C-suite, earning a master of business administration (MBA) can help you learn the required skills and network with established professionals.
4. 4. Post your resume in the right places. Companies use executive search firms to find their C-suite executives. These are different from the job recruiting websites that connect firms with lower-level employees.

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