Beyond the CEO: The Emerging Cx Leadership Roles

Introduction

Once upon a time, in a not-so-distant past, your career options were pretty straightforward. If you wanted to be successful, you either became an architect, a lawyer, or a doctor. And if you dreamed of joining the corporate world, you aimed for one of the classic CxO positions (Cx Roles) —CEO, CFO, CTO, and the like. Well, not anymore! The corporate kingdom has expanded, and now there are at least ten more positions you can aspire to, jobs that didn’t even exist before. So, put down your gavel, stethoscope, and blueprints, and get ready to explore a whole new world of opportunities that are as exciting as they are innovative.

Chief Revenue Officer

The Chief Revenue Officer will work collectively with the wider Executive Leadership Team to ensure that the business’s strategic objectives are achieved, specifically in terms of being accountable for achieving our revenue targets, marketing, and customer base. In companies with not a deep hierarchy, you will meet this profile under the name Revops Revenue Operations (RevOps), and it would overtake the role of the integration of marketing, sales, and service operations to create one department that keeps all its members accountable to revenue.

Chief Diversity Officer

A Chief Diversity Officer (CDO) is the principal architect of a company’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. This C-level executive creates DEI strategies to ensure diverse hiring and promotion at the organization and diversity training programs for employees. They also implement fair-pay practices and monitor results to measure progress. The ultimate goal of this role is to ensure an equitable work environment for all employees.

Chief Experience Officer

A Chief Experience Officer (CXO) is a corporate executive responsible for the overall customer experience. The role is similar to that of the Chief Customer Officer, with the only difference being that the CXO is typically more predictive and analytical, with fewer responsibilities around product and service enhancement.

Chief Strategy Officer

The CSO, or chief strategist, is the executive who oversees the development, communication, and execution of a corporation’s strategic initiatives. In other words, you’ll work with your CEO (even my mum recognizes that role) to create a corporate strategy that produces long-term, sustainable success for your company. 

Corporate strategy used to be the primary responsibility of the CEO. However, most CEOs already have their hands full with being ultimately responsible for everything that happens in the business. Likewise, the business landscape has become more complex with the rise of new organizational structures, increased regulations, and rapid globalization. These have strained companies’ ability to innovate and made strategy even more critical. Yet, CEOs have less time to devote to it than ever before

Chief Transformation Officer

Working closely with senior colleagues, this key strategic role holder will take responsibility for developing and delivering a transformational, coordinated approach to the company’s activities, with strategic oversight of an integrated approach of the Operational Services and Digital Services directorates.

A successful Chief Transformation officer will have significant senior-level experience managing large-scale and complex infrastructure and experience in the planning, design, and implementation of capital projects. S/he will also understand the current challenges within higher education related to the interaction between physical and digital infrastructure.

The Chief Transformation Officer will also act as the Senior Responsible Officer for strategic projects and take a company-level lead on initiatives and developments as determined by the Chief Operating Officer and CEO. The same will deal with change management, which is generally the resistance that occurs every time a new initiative is implemented.

Chief Governance Officer

The Chief Governance Officer (CGO) is usually a senior vice executive reporting to the CEO; however, in the not-for-profit sector, when an organization uses policy governance, the chair of the board often takes on the role of CGO, who is tasked with directing the people, business processes and systems needed to enable good governance from inside the corporation in support of the board of directors. A CGO is also often responsible for board management, among other governance-related responsibilities. In some geographies, the chief counsel assumes the role; in others a corporate or company secretary.

Additionally, the CGO is responsible for ensuring compliance with key regulatory frameworks such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). This includes implementing and overseeing policies and practices to safeguard data privacy, managing data protection strategies, and ensuring that all business activities align with these regulations to protect consumer rights and maintain organizational integrity.

Chief Impact Officer

The Chief Impact Officer (CIO) is a key executive responsible for driving and overseeing an organization’s social and environmental impact strategies. This role involves aligning business practices with sustainable and ethical standards, ensuring that the company’s operations positively affect the community and environment.

The CIO develops and implements initiatives that promote corporate social responsibility, measures their impact, and reports on progress to stakeholders. By fostering partnerships with external organizations and staying abreast of industry trends, the CIO ensures that the company remains a leader in social impact and sustainability.

Chief Sustainability Officer

The Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) specifically focuses on an organization’s environmental sustainability. The CSO’s primary responsibility is to develop and implement strategies that reduce the company’s ecological footprint and promote sustainable practices. This role includes overseeing compliance with environmental regulations, managing resource efficiency initiatives, and driving the adoption of renewable energy sources. The CSO works to ensure that the company’s operations are environmentally responsible and sustainable, often focusing on areas such as carbon footprint reduction, waste management, and sustainable supply chain practices.

Chief AI Ethics Officer

The Chief AI Ethics Officer (CAIEO) is a senior executive who ensures that the development and deployment of artificial intelligence within an organization adhere to ethical standards. This role involves creating and implementing policies that address ethical concerns related to AI, such as bias, transparency, privacy, and accountability.

The CAIEO collaborates with technical teams, legal advisors, and stakeholders to integrate ethical considerations into AI projects and to ensure compliance with relevant regulations and standards. By promoting ethical AI practices, the CAIEO helps build trust with consumers and partners, safeguarding the company’s reputation and fostering responsible innovation.

Conclusion

Should you care?

Absolutely. Creating new C-level positions, such as Chief Impact Officer and Chief AI Ethics Officer, reflects a significant shift in organizational priorities. These roles are not just titles; they embody a commitment to tackling complex issues like sustainability, social impact, and ethical governance. Integrating these specialized roles is essential for driving innovation, ensuring compliance, and fostering a positive societal impact.

Embracing these new positions means staying ahead of the curve, attracting top talent, and building a resilient, forward-thinking organization. Companies must adopt these roles to meet the demands of a rapidly changing world.