How Long Does It Take to Become a CRO?

“72% of externally hired CROs bring more than 15 years of work experience to the role.”

What kind of experience does a CRO have?

Hi there! Perhaps you’ve read our article on Fractional CROs for more insights and information on how this role can benefit your company. Or perhaps you explored our information on a Chief Revenue Officer’s salary and now want to better understand if you’ve got what it takes to become and Chief Revenue Officer.  Well, stick with us and you’ll find out all of the vital information, including the potential earnings in this dynamic position.

If you’re curious about how long it takes to become a Chief Revenue Officer (CRO), you’re in the right place. The role of a CRO is pretty new—so new that it probably didn’t even exist when a seasoned CRO today started their career. To become a worthy CRO, you need a ton of leadership skills and successful experience in sales and marketing. A certificate from a 7-month course at Wharton can’t replace good old-fashioned experience. (Even if you did pay $19,000 for it!) 72% of CROs have 15 years of experience or more.

Interestingly, the CRO is now the fastest-growing C-suite title in America, with a 15% global growth rate. This surge is no surprise since research shows

CROs are the fastest growing C-suite title in America.

that Fortune 100 organizations with a CRO-like role see 1.8-times higher revenue growth compared to their peers. Let’s dive into what it takes to become a CRO and how long it might take you to get there.

How to become a Chief Revenue Officer?

Becoming a Chief Revenue Officer isn’t just about getting a fancy title. It involves a combination of education, experience, and a deep understanding of the business world particularly what moves the revenue needle at any business. Many CROs have an extensive background in sales, marketing, or business development including an impressive amount of leadership experience in that background.

One of the key chief revenue officer responsibilities is to drive revenue growth and create strategies that align with the company’s goals as determined by the CEO. This means you need to be a strategic thinker, a great communicator with department heads and the CEO, and a strong leader. As if that’s not enough, it’s also crucial to stay updated with the latest market trends and technologies.

“A certificate from a 7-month course at Wharton can’t replace good old-fashioned experience.”

How long does it take to become a Chief Revenue Officer?

So, how long does it take to reach the CRO level? The answer isn’t straightforward because it depends on various factors such as your career path, education, and the industry you’re in. Typically, it can take anywhere from 15 to 20 years of experience in related fields before you can step into a CRO role.  That’s simply the amount of time that most CEOs are going to want before they entrust the heartbeat of their business to one key executive.

Most CROs follow a chief revenue officer career path that involves climbing the corporate ladder, starting from entry-level positions in sales or marketing and gradually taking on more responsibility. Some may also take a chief revenue officer course that are just now starting to pop up to gain specialized knowledge and skills, which can be a helpful addition but not a substitute for hands-on experience. Ultimately, since the CRO reports directly to the CEO, any CEO who is worth their salt is going to want to see substantial real-life education over a diploma any day.

What level is a Chief Revenue Officer?

Three to four departments report to the fractional CRO

A Chief Revenue Officer is a top executive position, often reporting directly to the CEO. This role is on par with other C-suite positions such as the CFO, COO, and CMO. The CRO is responsible for overseeing all revenue-generating processes in an organization, which means they have a significant influence on the company’s success and strategic direction.

What positions report to a Chief Revenue Officer?

There is a great responsibility of stewardship for a Chief Revenue Officer. Leadership and communication skills are a must! The structure of teams reporting to a CRO can vary depending on the company size and industry. Typically, positions that report to a CRO include heads of sales, marketing, business development, and customer success. Sometimes the product development leaders will also report to the CRO. These leaders work together to ensure that their strategies align with each other and with the company’s revenue goals.

With the proper career choices you can achieve this prestigious role of a fractional CRO

Becoming a Chief Revenue Officer is a journey that requires a mix of education, experience, and strategic insight. It’s not a quick path by any means, but with dedication and the right opportunities, you can achieve this prestigious role.

Explore our resources for Fractional CRO where you can get the expertise of a CRO without the hefty price tag. Learn more about the chief revenue officer salary and how you can get an excellent ROI from bringing a fractional CRO on board. Schedule your private CEO Flash Focus call today with Invictus CMO. It’s a preliminary focused and high-level 15-20-minute meeting with CEOs to highlight the main challenges.  No selling. Just solutions.