An organization’s C-level or ‘C-suite’ refers to the highest-ranking executive positions in the company. Like CEO and COO, these titles begin with the letter ‘C,’ which stands for the word ‘chief.’ For the most powerful and essential employees of a business, executives who occupy C-level roles are the ones who make strategic choices, take high-risk actions, and ensure that the firm’s daily activities support the achievement of overall company goals. They’re also usually the most highly compensated employees.
Filling up C-level positions can be quite a difficult task for HR teams because of the higher level of skills and intellect these positions necessitate. To make it easier, they partner with flexible recruiting services like Innovex Global to save time and money. Recruitment companies have an existing pool of talent from all over the world, so companies have to worry less about securing the right people for the job in no time.
In the past few years, we have seen how fast-paced changes and upgrades took place in various industries. Competition is also becoming tougher. Thus, demanding organizations to respond and adapt quickly so as not to get left behind.
This 2022, here are some C-level executive positions that are fundamental for companies to thrive and survive.
Chief Information Officer (CIO).
Before, the chief information officer and the chief technology officer titles were interchangeable. Today, these roles are often used to describe different roles and responsibilities. As technology advances and more businesses are digitally transforming, the duties and responsibilities of chief information officers expand as well. A CIO is accountable for managing an organization’s information technology workforce, as well as IT assets such as software and hardware. It also includes strategic planning for computer systems and the organization’s network.
Now more than ever, the role of the CIO is becoming more focused on finding the right tech to help the company reach its full potential and support digital transition and transformation. For example, artificial intelligence (AI) is significantly changing how several industries operate. The CIO might look for software or applications run by AI to perform repetitive tasks and provide intelligent advice to improve workforce productivity and efficiency.
Chief Human Resource Officer (CHRO).
The CHRO manages an organization’s human capital. Its main responsibility is to establish and implement human resource strategies that complement and support the organization’s overall business plan and strategic direction.
By 2022, you may anticipate CHROs taking on the role of championship coaches, helping firms through anticipated challenges, and establishing themselves as a critical component of HR strategy and planning. Moreover, with the so-called ‘Great Resignation’ that is happening in the job market today, it is up to the CHROs to come with ways to retain the best talents.
The role of the HR department is also key in helping people adapt to new environments. Their creativity and flexibility are crucial to help employees adapt and thrive in their new roles. Before the pandemic, it was typical for an HR policy to take months before it gets approved. Now, CHROs need to be proactive to immediately attend to changing employees’ needs.
Even as companies transition into a new work environment (i.e adoption of a work-from-home and hybrid work set-ups), the need for innovation will carry on. CHROs can help determine how well the organization’s operations will continue during and after the crisis. For instance, if a company decides to create regional hubs that will attract new talent and reduce turnover, the department needs to analyze how these hubs will and can seamlessly work together.
Chief Security Officer (CSO).
The unpredictability of workplace routines and regulations has been highlighted in previous years, as executives have focused their attention on everything from civil disturbance marches to health and safety obligations. They are now constantly addressing new scenarios, new challenges, and serving as the internal group that understands how to respond to fast-moving, ambiguous occurrences concerning the company’s security issues.
The chief security officer (CSO) is the firm executive protecting employees, assets, and information. In the digital age, the threat of hacking, ransomware, and data theft has raised the necessity of this profession. Now more than ever, CSOs have to rigorously oversee internet security standards, risk management, and security incident response.
Chief Compliance Officer (CCO).
The Chief Compliance Officer, an important member of the management team, is in charge of monitoring and ensuring that a company complies with all applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures. State regulations, for example, place a greater emphasis on implementing policies on customer data privacy and protection. As CCO, he is responsible for ensuring that the corporation submits relevant paperwork and establishes committees and infrastructure to ensure compliance with such laws. This is required to enable continuous and flawless operations.
It’s the CCO’s job to ensure that the organization’s compliance programs are efficient and effective in identifying, preventing, detecting, and correcting non-compliance with relevant laws and regulations as the compliance leader and subject matter expert.
And as the chief compliance officers become an integral part of the executive team and the business landscape is digitally transforming, they must adopt new leadership roles and develop new strategies to address the increasing demands of the department.
Conclusion
The mentioned C-level executive positions hold essential responsibilities in every company. C-level executives are often not involved in day-to-day management responsibilities since they operate at the highest level in their departments. Executives at small and medium-sized enterprises and startups, on the other hand, may have to take on managerial responsibilities, which include executive coaching to other young members.
So if feel that it’s time to move up the corporate ladder, take the challenge and explore opportunities to show your skills and make a positive impact on the company as a C-level executive. While at it, you can get in touch with executive recruitment firms to grow your network and increase your chances of getting hired.