You’ll need the right educational credentials, a broad background in business operations, and a number of years of experience working with various business departments to become a chief administrative officer (CAO). The CAO is in charge of the company’s day-to-day operations. A suitable candidate for the position would have to show that he or she is capable of leading the entire company rather than just one department.
In most cases, the CAO position is filled in place of a chief operating officer (COO). A chief operating officer (CAO) reports directly to the CEO and fills in for him when he is unavailable. The responsibilities of a CAO will vary depending on the company’s size. In a smaller company, you’ll most likely be responsible for providing administrative support to the CEO and board of directors, as well as overseeing departments to ensure they follow policies and procedures. In a large corporation, a CAO will function more like a COO, with strategic and operational responsibility for the company’s performance.
To become a chief administrative officer, there are no specific requirements. If you want to work for a large corporation, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree in business administration and an MBA. Because the position is cross-departmental, nearly any business degree, including finance, human resources, operations, and management, is considered relevant. It will be easier to obtain this type of position if your credentials demonstrate a broad understanding of the entire business framework.
Before considering you for CAO, most companies require five to ten years of relevant experience in relevant positions. The CAO title does not have a specific career path, and increasing management responsibility across departments will most likely suffice. Because the CAO fills in for the CEO when he is unavailable, it’s a good idea to plan your career as if you want to eventually be the CEO.
You’ll also need to show strong leadership and organizational skills to become a chief administrative officer. A key evaluative factor will be your ability to communicate effectively. Large corporations will look for evidence of strategic thinking as well as the ability to manage processes while increasing output. It’s critical to fill your resume with internal and external activities that demonstrate your expertise in these areas.
Although the highest salary range for a CAO position can be found in a corporate setting, the title is more common in organizations and government agencies. In both cases, the qualifications for becoming a chief administrative officer are nearly identical. You should be able to apply the more substantial requirements of a CAO in a major corporation to the less stringent requirements of organizations or agencies if you focus your career on them.