CZOs

CZOs, or Chief Zonal Officers, is a business title used by some large organizations to designate senior executives who oversee operations within defined geographic zones. The term is not standardized, and its exact meaning can vary by company, but it typically refers to a role focused on regional leadership across a set of markets or facilities.

Scope and variation

In organizations that employ CZOs, a zone often corresponds to a geographic area, market segment, or group of business units. The responsibilities of a CZO are generally centered on translating corporate strategy into zone-specific action, aligning operational practices, and driving performance within the assigned zone. Because the title is not universally standardized, some CZOs may emphasize sales and revenue, while others may focus on operations, service delivery, or regulatory compliance within their zones.

Key responsibilities

Common duties include setting zone-level targets and budgets, overseeing regional operations, ensuring consistency with corporate standards, managing risk and compliance, and coordinating cross-functional activities such as sales, customer service, supply chain, and human resources. CZOs often work to optimize resource allocation, develop local leadership talent, build relationships with customers and partners, and report performance metrics to the executive team.

Reporting and governance

CZOs typically report to a Chief Operating Officer, Chief Executive Officer, or another senior executive responsible for overall performance. They may supervise zone or regional managers and collaborate with other C-suite leaders to ensure alignment across the organization. The exact scope of authority and accountability is defined by the organization’s governance structure and strategic priorities.

See also: regional or zonal management, C-suite roles.