Companies are creating new C-suite titles to reflect today’s challenges and needs. These emerging roles highlight the changing priorities of businesses as they adapt to technological advancements, societal shifts, and new market demands. The following list explores these new titles, their functions, and the strengths executives in these roles should emphasize to align their executive resumes to the roles the desire.
1. Chief Experience Officer (CXO)
Company Size: Medium to large enterprises
Key Functions:
- Overseeing customer and employee experience strategies
- Aligning all touchpoints to create seamless experiences
- Implementing feedback loops for continuous improvement
Key Strengths to Highlight In Your Executive Resume:
- Deep understanding of customer journey mapping
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Ability to analyze and act on experiential data
2. Chief Innovation Officer (CINO)
Company Size: All sizes, particularly in tech and fast-moving industries
Key Functions:
- Driving innovation across the organization
- Identifying and implementing new technologies
- Fostering a culture of creativity and experimentation
Key Strengths to Highlight In Your Executive Resume:
- Visionary thinking and strategic foresight
- Strong knowledge of emerging technologies
- Track record of successful innovation initiatives
3. Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO)
Company Size: Large corporations, particularly in industries with significant environmental impact
Key Functions:
- Developing and implementing sustainability strategies
- Ensuring compliance with environmental regulations
- Driving initiatives to reduce carbon footprint
Key Strengths to Highlight In Your Executive Resume:
- In-depth knowledge of environmental regulations and best practices
- Ability to balance sustainability with business objectives
- Strong stakeholder management skills
*According to a report by Korn Ferry, the demand for Chief Sustainability Officers has grown by 228% in the last decade, reflecting the increasing importance of ESG initiatives in corporate strategy.[1]
4. Chief Data Officer (CDO)
Company Size: Medium to large enterprises, data-driven industries
Key Functions:
- Developing and implementing data strategy
- Ensuring data quality and governance
- Driving data-driven decision making across the organization
Key Strengths to Highlight in Your Executive Resume:
- Strong background in data analytics and management
- Understanding of data privacy and security regulations
- Ability to translate data insights into business value
5. Chief AI Officer (CAIO)
Company Size: Tech companies, large enterprises in various sectors
Key Functions:
- Overseeing AI strategy and implementation
- Identifying AI opportunities across the business
- Ensuring ethical use of AI technologies
Key Strengths to Highlight in Your Executive Resume:
- Deep expertise in AI and machine learning technologies
- Ability to bridge technical and business perspectives
- Strong ethical judgment and foresight
*A study by Deloitte found that 37% of companies have appointed or plan to appoint a Chief AI Officer to lead their AI initiatives.[2]
6. Chief Purpose Officer (CPO)
Company Size: Large corporations, particularly B2C companies
Key Functions:
- Aligning company actions with its mission and values
- Developing and implementing purpose-driven initiatives
- Communicating the company’s purpose to stakeholders
Key Strengths to Highlight in Your Executive Resume:
- Strong sense of ethics and corporate social responsibility
- Excellent communication and storytelling skills
- Ability to inspire and motivate others
7. Chief Remote Officer (CRO)
Company Size: Companies with significant remote workforce
Key Functions:
- Developing and implementing remote work policies
- Ensuring productivity and engagement of remote teams
- Overseeing remote work technologies and infrastructure
Key Strengths to Highlight in Your Executive Resume:
- Experience in managing distributed teams
- Strong understanding of remote work technologies
- Excellent communication and conflict resolution skills
8. Chief Trust Officer (CTO)
Company Size: Tech companies, companies handling sensitive data
Key Functions:
- Overseeing data privacy and security initiatives
- Ensuring ethical use of technology
- Building trust with customers and stakeholders
Key Strengths to Highlight in Your Executive Resume:
- Strong background in cybersecurity and data privacy
- Understanding of ethical implications of technology
- Excellent stakeholder management skills
9. Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer (CDIO)
Company Size: Medium to large enterprises across industries
Key Functions:
- Developing and implementing D&I strategies
- Fostering an inclusive workplace culture
- Ensuring fair hiring and promotion practices
Key Strengths to Highlight in Your Executive Resume:
- Deep understanding of D&I best practices
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Ability to influence and drive organizational change
*A survey by Russell Reynolds Associates found that S&P 500 companies with Chief Diversity Officers increased from 47% in 2018 to 52% in 2019, indicating a growing trend.[3]
10. Chief Transformation Officer (CTO)
Company Size: Large enterprises undergoing significant change
Key Functions:
- Leading organizational change initiatives
- Aligning transformation efforts across departments
- Ensuring successful adoption of new processes and technologies
Key Strengths to Highlight in Your Executive Resume:
- Strong change management experience
- Strategic thinking and planning skills
- Ability to navigate complex organizational structures
11. Chief Wellbeing Officer (CWO)
Company Size: Progressive companies of all sizes
Key Functions:
- Developing and implementing employee wellness programs
- Promoting work-life balance
- Ensuring a healthy and supportive work environment
Key Strengths to Highlight in Your Executive Resume:
- Understanding of holistic wellness approaches
- Strong empathy and interpersonal skills
- Ability to measure and demonstrate impact of wellness initiatives
12. Chief Ecosystem Officer (CEO)
Company Size: Large corporations with complex partner networks
Key Functions:
- Managing partnerships and alliances
- Developing ecosystem strategies
- Identifying and leveraging synergies within the ecosystem
Key Strengths to Highlight in Your Executive Resume:
- Strong networking and relationship-building skills
- Strategic thinking and business acumen
- Ability to navigate complex multi-stakeholder environments
These emerging C-suite roles reflect the evolving priorities of businesses as they adapt to new challenges and opportunities. Executives aspiring to these positions should focus on developing the key strengths highlighted for each role, as well as maintaining a broad understanding of business strategy and technological trends.
[1] Korn Ferry. “The Rise of the Chief Sustainability Officer.” 2022. [2] Deloitte. “State of AI in the Enterprise, 4th Edition.” 2021. [3] Russell Reynolds Associates. “Diversity and Inclusion Pulse Survey.” 2020.
