C-Suite Org Chart | CEO COO CFO CTO CMO | Cowen Partners
      Executive Org Chart & Leadership Roles | Executive Recruiters

      C-Suite Org Chart

      At the Top: The CEO, COO, CHRO, CFO, CTO, CMO & More

      Leadership roles in any organization can include several positions, from the board of directors and the chief executive officer (CEO) on down. While companies may not need to fill every role in the C-suite from day one, leadership at the top will generally need to expand as organizations grow and their goals evolve to become more complex. How C-suites expand and which leaders are added first can depend on many factors, from company growth rates and goals to industry trends, organizational challenges, and much more.

      Despite the ways that great leadership can be nuanced, there are roughly a dozen roles at the top that tend to comprise the typical C-suite, once fully staffed. The C-suite org chart below outlines the top-most leadership roles that generally report to and support the CEO and board of directors in an organization.

      CEO COO CFO CTO CMO | CEO Org Chart | Cowen Partners

      Chain of Command from the C-Suite Down: CEO Org Chart

      While a clear structure of leadership roles can help position a business for greater success, staff below the C-suite should be similarly organized, with clear reporting and oversight relationships to maximize efficiency and keep everyone working towards the same long-term objectives.

      Company Org Chart | Leadership & Reporting Roles | Cowen Partners

      Standard Executive Leadership Roles

      Major publicly traded companies typically need several C-suite leaders, with executives filling the essential roles of:

      Smaller operations typically only need one C-suite executive, at the most two or three. A small business may have individuals leading key functions of a company, such as finance or marketing, who do not hold C-level titles.

      New Executive Roles Created in the Last 5 Years

      Among the top C-suite roles added in the last five years are:

      • Chief innovation officer (CIO)
      • Chief digital officer (CDO)
      • Chief strategy officer (CSO)
      • Chief data officer (CDO)
      • Chief ethics officer (CEO)

      This creates new opportunities both to enter the C-suite and to advance within the C-suite. At the same time that the C-suite has been evolving to include more technology-related roles, the ranks of executives have become more demographically diverse. Progress remains to be made in this area, however. 

      Organization Structures

      Having a well-defined organizational structure is vital for ensuring the seamless functioning of your business. When you establish the appropriate organizational framework, your company can effectively achieve its business objectives while enabling employees to stay focused on their respective responsibilities. However, determining the most suitable organization structure for your company requires thoughtful evaluation due to the multitude of available options.

      What is an Organization Structure?

      A organization structure is a plan that strategically distributes leadership and operations within a company while also laying out important procedures and management directives.

      4 Types of Organization Structures

      There is no one-size fits all organization structure approach. The structure that’s best for your business will depend strongly on the type of business you have as well as your business goals. Below are common organization structures for you to consider establishing at your company.

      1. Product-based structure

      The product-based organizational structure is particularly effective for companies that provide diverse products or services to their customers. This structure allocates teams to specific product lines, enabling them to operate independently.

      By assembling teams with specialized skills in their respective product areas, employees can concentrate on achieving the goals specific to their assigned product lines. This eliminates the need to involve individuals from other departments, allowing for greater focus and efficiency within each team.

      C-Suite Org Chart by Product or Service Divisions - Executive Org Chart

      2. Customer-type structure

      An alternative approach to organizing the leadership structure is by categorizing it according to customer types. For instance, you can structure teams based on industry, business size, or any other relevant customer segments. This method proves beneficial for organizations that engage with diverse customer groups.

      By dividing teams based on specific customer segments, you can customize messaging and utilize platforms that are more finely tuned to address the interests and concerns of each group. This targeted approach ensures that your organizational efforts resonate more effectively with different customer segments.

      C-Suite Org Chart by Customer Type - Executive Org Chart

      3. Geographical structure

      Geographical organization structure is most suitable for large global organizations operating across multiple countries. By adopting this structure and dividing management efforts based on territories and regions, companies can effectively target specific regional audiences and cater to local markets.

      This approach allows organizational teams to develop products and services that genuinely resonate with their respective regions, as opposed to using generic products that may not effectively connect with diverse audiences. By tailoring their product or service to local nuances and preferences, companies can be more successful by fostering stronger connections with their target markets.

      C-Suite Org Chart by Geographic Division - Executive Org Chart

      4. Functional structure

      The functional organization structure involves dividing departments based on expeetise. For instance, teams can be assigned to focus areas such as marketing, sales, service, finance, and any other relevant marketing functions required by the business.

      In this structure, employees are grouped according to their specific skill sets, allowing teams to operate autonomously within their designated functions. However, it is crucial for teams to maintain open lines of communication to ensure collaboration towards achieving leadership goals.

      By implementing a functional organizational structure, organizations can leverage specialized expertise in different domains and streamline efforts within each function. Effective communication and coordination among teams play a vital role in maximizing the collective impact and achieving overall organizational objectives.

      C-Suite Org Chart by Function - Executive Org Chart

      Take a Deeper Dive into Executive Search & Recruitment Topics

      You can also get answers and information right now from one of the nation’s top executive recruiters.

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      How the Roles of CEO vs COO vs CFO Differ & Support Each Other

      The CEO is the highest-level C-suite role in a company, followed by the COO, then the CFO. In other words, COOs are usually second in command while CFOs are typically third in command.

      In terms of roles:

      • CEOs focus on long-term strategy and, in some smaller businesses, the daily operations of a company.
      • COOs oversee business operations, like sales, marketing, HR, and more.
      • CFOs oversee a business’s finances, including budgeting, revenue, profitability, financial controls, and more.

      The CEO vs COO vs CFO each plays a unique role in a business; still, their positions should coalesce to support the success and long-term goals of a company.

      Below is a closer look at each role, along with its responsibilities, required background, and average annual salary.

      Executive Compensation & Salary Guide | CEO, COO, CHRO, CFO, CMO Salary

      Executive compensation is a significant investment, but one that is necessary for the success of a business. Each member of the C-suit—from the CEO, COO, and CFO to the CMO CSO, CGO, and more—brings a unique set of skills, experience, and expertise to the business.

      Without these top leaders, your business would not be where it is today, which is why adequate compensation for each role is essential. Many top executives are recruited by competitors every year because a better compensation package is offered.

      With this in mind, it’s wise to regularly review executive compensation plans to ensure your company is staying competitive. 

      When reviewing C-level executive compensation plans, consider all of the various benefits you can offer. Compensation for each C-suite role typically includes at least four different categories:

      1. Base salary
      2. Long-term and short-term incentives
      3. Target bonuses
      4. Benefits

      Take a look at what else your company can offer executives to show them how much they’re valued. As you work to develop an adequate compensation plan for each C-suite role, start with the base salary. The salary range for C-level positions can vary widely depending on location, industry, skill set, years of experience, and more.

      You need to offer a competitive salary for your area and industry if you want to attract top-level executives. Review the average annual salary of each C-suite position to get an idea of what your competition may be offering.

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