Definition
The term C-level position refers to the highest ranking executives in a company, with titles that usually begin with "chief." The three most common C-level positions include the chief executive officer, chief financial officer, and chief operating officer.
Explanation
Business and corporate titles are used to identify an individual's roles and responsibilities in their company. The highest ranking officers are referred to as C-level because the initials of their corporate title will typically start with a "c." Generally, these executives are also the highest paid employees of the company, which reflects the importance of the decisions they make on a daily basis.
In the United States, the highest ranking employee is the CEO (chief executive officer), who often also retains the title of president. Other C-level positions include:
Chief Financial Officer (CFO): responsible for the company's financial reporting and budgeting activities.
Chief Operating Officer (COO): responsible for ensuring business operations are both efficient and effective.
Chief Technology Officer (CTO): responsible for establishing the company's technology strategy.
Chief Information Officer (CIO): responsible for the company's information technology activities.
Chief Risk Officer (CRO): responsible for managing the company's exposure to financial and other risks.
All of the above positions are part of what is referred to as the company's C-Suite.
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