If you’re aiming for a senior leadership position — whether it's CEO, CFO, COO, or a director-level role — your resume must be more than a summary of jobs. It needs to be a strategic marketing tool. A well-crafted executive resume demonstrates not only your leadership and business acumen but also your ability to drive results at the highest level.
In this article, we’ll walk you through a realistic sample executive resume template, show you exactly how to position your experience, and share expert tips to help you stand out in today’s competitive job market.
Let’s begin with a fully written sample resume tailored for executive-level professionals.
SAMPLE EXECUTIVE RESUME TEMPLATE
JONATHAN L. MORRIS
1234 Franklin Drive, Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60601
(555) 123-4567 | jonathan.morris@email.com
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER (COO) | BUSINESS STRATEGY | OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE
Results-driven executive leader with 15+ years of progressive experience driving operational efficiency, revenue growth, and cross-functional alignment across global enterprises. Proven ability to scale business operations, lead high-performing teams, and transform underperforming units into profit-generating divisions. Trusted partner to C-suite peers and Board of Directors.
CORE COMPETENCIES
• Strategic Planning & Execution
• Organizational Transformation
• P&L Management
• Global Supply Chain Oversight
• Team Leadership & Talent Development
• Cost Optimization
• M&A Integration
• Operational Scaling
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
BRIDGEPOINT GLOBAL INC., Chicago, IL
Chief Operating Officer – Jan 2019 to Present
Spearheaded company-wide transformation initiative that resulted in 18% cost reduction and 27% improvement in operational productivity.
Led global supply chain overhaul, decreasing delivery times by 22% while improving customer satisfaction scores by 30%.
Built a high-impact operations team of 100+ across multiple business units, increasing retention by 15% over three years.
Partnered with CFO and CEO to realign business goals post-acquisition, leading to seamless M&A integration of two global entities.
MAVEN TECHNOLOGIES, INC., Dallas, TX
Vice President, Operations – Jun 2013 to Dec 2018
Directed operations strategy across North America, growing annual revenues from $60M to $95M within four years.
Introduced lean process improvements that saved $8M annually and shortened product cycle times by 35%.
Implemented KPI dashboards and operational reviews, improving reporting accuracy and transparency to stakeholders.
SKYNET SYSTEMS, Atlanta, GA
Operations Manager – Aug 2009 to May 2013
Managed daily operations for a national IT services firm, achieving a 99% on-time delivery rate over three consecutive years.
Restructured procurement processes, saving the company $2.4M in one fiscal year.
Mentored future leadership talent through a formal training and succession planning program.
EDUCATION
Master of Business Administration (MBA), Operations Management
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering
Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA
CERTIFICATIONS
• Six Sigma Black Belt
• Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP)
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
• Member, National Association for Business Resources
• Executive Board Member, Operations Leaders of America
PRACTICAL TIPS FOR WRITING AN EXECUTIVE RESUME
Focus on Metrics and Results
Executives are hired to deliver impact. Quantify achievements with numbers, percentages, and dollar amounts.
Highlight Strategic Leadership
C-suite resumes should go beyond task lists. Show how you've influenced business outcomes, culture, and long-term vision.
Tailor for Each Role
Customize the resume to reflect the priorities and language of the company you're applying to. Use keywords directly from the job description.
Keep it Polished and Concise
Avoid clutter. Use a clean format, professional font, and no more than two pages unless you're including a board membership portfolio.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. What should be included in an executive resume template?
An executive resume should feature a compelling summary, clear core competencies, quantifiable achievements, leadership experience, and board or industry affiliations.
2. How long should an executive resume be?
Two pages is the ideal length for most executive resumes. Focus on your last 10–15 years of experience and the most relevant accomplishments.
3. Should executive resumes include a cover letter?
Yes. A personalized, strategic cover letter that aligns your vision with the company's goals can significantly strengthen your application.
4. What is the biggest mistake executives make on their resume?
Focusing too much on responsibilities and not enough on measurable results. Hiring committees want to see the value you delivered, not just what you were assigned to do.
This sample executive resume template is designed to position you as a confident, results-oriented leader. Use it as inspiration, adapt it to your own career path, and remember — every word on your resume should serve a purpose.
New grad nursing resume examples to help you land your first nursing job. Learn expert tips, see a realistic sample, and build a strong resume for healthcare roles.
New grad nurse resume examples that showcase skills, education, and clinical experience to impress healthcare employers and secure your first nursing position.
Mba resume format with expert tips and real sample for freshers and experienced candidates to showcase skills, education, and achievements effectively.
Certified nursing assistant resume examples with expert tips, tailored sample, and guidance to help you stand out and secure your dream CNA position easily.
Information technology resume template designed to help IT professionals stand out with expert tips, detailed examples, and formatting advice for job-winning results
Administration resume sample with expert tips to help you highlight organizational skills, office management expertise, and administrative achievements effectively.
Example of web developer resume with expert writing advice, realistic sample, and tips to help you stand out and land your dream web developer job
Example of resume executive summary that showcases your skills, achievements, and value to employers. Learn how to craft one with a realistic sample and expert tips.
Example of resume executive summary to help job seekers craft strong, concise profiles highlighting skills, achievements, and career goals effectively.
Government resume samples to help you create a strong, detailed, and targeted application for public sector jobs. Includes expert tips and a realistic sample resume.
Customer care representative resume sample with practical guidance, proven formats, and tailored examples to help you create a winning customer service resume.
Sample resume portfolio ideas to showcase your skills, experience, and achievements with impact. Learn how to design and structure a portfolio that gets noticed.
Job application format with resume that highlights skills, experience, and qualifications. Learn how to structure your resume for better hiring chances.
Resume format for lab technician in india with key sections, layout tips, and examples to create an ATS-friendly, professional resume tailored for Indian recruiters.
Web programmer resume example with detailed sample, tips, and expert advice to help you create a strong, interview-winning resume for programming roles.