A chief administrative officer (CAO) is responsible for administrative management of private, public or governmental corporations. The CAO is one of the highest ranking members of an organization, managing daily operations and usually reporting directly to the chief executive officer. In some companies, the CAO is also the president. It is very similar to a chief operating officer and is not the same as a CEO, which is a more senior title.

In a municipal context, the title is usually used as an alternative for city manager, or county executive, particularly in cases where the position does not include powers such as the authority to appoint or dismiss department heads.

Current and aspiring chief administrative officers can achieve professional credentials through the Certified Business Manager (CBM) program established by the Association of Professionals in Business Management. In [the United Kingdom, CAOs of public companies must be chartered secretaries (Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators), lawyers, certified/chartered accountants, or others with equivalent experience.

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