The Future of Strategic Impact: How the Role of the Chief Strategy Officer Is Changing

Location
Boston Consulting Group Berlin
Am Postbahnhof 15, 10243 Berlin, Germany

Sponsors
Boston Consulting Group, BCG Henderson Institute, Strategic Management Review, Fisher College of Business (Ohio State), and Daniels School of Business (Purdue)

Registration Fees

• Non‑Member: $120
• SMS Member: $100

Event Overview

This Extension examines how strategy leadership creates impact in today’s fragmented geo-economic landscape and AI-enabled organizations. Using the Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) as a focal role, the full-day program brings together leading strategy scholars and senior practitioners to explore how the CSO role is practiced, how it has evolved, and how it will continue to change. The Extension features original empirical research on CSO time allocation and effectiveness, complemented by academic perspectives on adjacent research streams, practitioner reflections on lived experience, and interactive roundtables on the future of strategic leadership. Sessions will address emerging challenges including managing during chaos, navigating geopolitical tensions, organizing strategy functions amid the “alphabet soup” of C-suite roles, and adapting to AI-enabled strategy work.

Key Takeaways

• Evidence‑based insights into how CSOs allocate time and drive impact
• Understanding of different CSO archetypes and role designs
• Practical strategies for navigating tensions inherent in the CSO role
• Forward‑looking perspectives on AI and geopolitical fragmentation
• Opportunities to contribute to future research on strategy leadership

Agenda 

9:00–9:30 — Breakfast

9:30–9:45 — Welcome: Opening remarks
Opening remarks by the organizers, setting the context for the Extension and its connection to the SMS Annual Conference theme.

9:45-10:15 — The CEO Perspective: The Impact of the Chief Strategy Officer
A keynote address by a CEO reflecting on the strategic impact of the CSO role. Drawing on personal experience, the speaker will discuss how the CSO contributes to strategic impact, decision quality, and organizational alignment—setting the stage for the day’s discussions.

10:15–11:00 — Empirical Insights: The CSO Role and Agenda – Today and Tomorrow
Presentation and discussion of original research on the evolving role of the Chief Strategy Officer. Drawing on a dedicated survey and complementary qualitative interviews, the session examines how CSOs allocate their time, who they work most closely with, and what drives differences in these patterns. It also explores how these dynamics have shifted in recent years, how different time-allocation choices relate to effectiveness and satisfaction, and what these insights suggest about how the CSO role is likely to evolve in the future—particularly in increasingly fragmented and AI-enabled environments. The research was jointly undertaken by the organizing team of academics and BCG.

11:00–11:15 — Coffee Break

11:15–12:00 — Lived Experience: The CSO Role in Practice
A fireside chat with a CSO, reflecting on his / her lived experience, including sources of impact, frustrations, changing responsibilities, and how the role is evolving in practice, especially in the context of AI.

12:00–13:00 — Academic Perspectives: Research on Strategy Leadership (Part 1)
Short presentations, followed by Q&A sessions, by strategy scholars on their existing or ongoing research. This session will explore emerging topics, with illustrative examples including managing during times of chaos, how geopolitical tensions are reshaping CSO priorities, organizing strategy and staff functions (CAIO, CDO, and the “alphabet soup” of C-suite roles), the strengths and limits of specialization in executive roles, and how CSOs can thrive by injecting strategic chaos into organizational systems.

13:00–14:00 — Catered Lunch
Shared lunch to encourage informal exchange between scholars and practitioners.

14:00–15:00 — Academic Perspectives: Research on Strategy Leadership (Part 2)
Continuation of previous session.

15:00–15:30 — Panel Discussion: Interpreting the Evidence
A moderated panel with CSOs and academics reacting to what has been presented over the course of the day, discussing tensions, trade-offs, and emerging challenges in the CSO role, including the effects of geopolitical change and AI on strategy work.

15:30–15:45 — Coffee Break

15:45–16:45 — Facilitated Table Discussion: The Future of the CSO role
Facilitated small-group discussions building directly on the survey findings and prior sessions, focusing on questions such as: Do firms still need a CSO? How might the role be redefined? How can strategy research contribute to strengthening the role of the CSO? How can academic education best prepare future CSOs?

16:45–17:00 — Closing Remarks
Synthesis of key insights and implications for future research and practice.

Hotel & Travel

The venue is adjacent to Ostbahnhof and easily accessible by public transport. Participants are encouraged to extend their stay at their SMS conference hotel.