A chief executive officer, or CEO, is the job title afforded to the highest-ranking executive at a company. The primary role of the CEO is to formulate, guide, and maintain the company’s strategic plan. Hence, they are responsible for the company’s big picture: its overall direction and profitability. The CEO also oversees the company’s C-level or top executives, which can include the president, who is typically the second-in-command, the [chief financial officer](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-a-cfo) (CFO), the chief operating officer (COO), and the [chief marketing officer](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/chief-marketing-officer-role-explained) (CMO). The CEO ensures that senior management adheres to the company’s business decisions. 

A CEO is the main conduit between the company’s senior executives and its [board of directors](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/board-of-directors-explained) and reports directly on business developments to them. In some cases, the CEO may have a seat on the board and even serve as its chairman. The board members set the responsibilities of a CEO which, depending on the company’s size, may include everything from public relations to overseeing causes related to the organization’s [mission statement](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-write-an-effective-mission-statement-in-3-steps).

The career path to becoming a CEO typically begins with a bachelor’s degree in business administration or a related field and may include a master’s degree in business (MBA). Several years of experience in corporate finance is also crucial and typically follows a path from management to an executive position. But exhibiting the traits that make a great CEO are just as important, which includes world-class leadership skills, management know-how, <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-develop-a-smart-business-strategy' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-develop-a-smart-business-strategy","linkCopy":"business strategy","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>business strategy</a>, [decision-making](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-informed-decisions), and strong <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/robin-robertss-tips-for-effective-communication' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/robin-robertss-tips-for-effective-communication","linkCopy":"communication","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>communication</a>.
A CEO’s job description encompasses many different elements. Some responsibilities of a CEO include:

- __Day-to-day business__. CEOs take a hands-on approach to the company’s day-to-day operations by administering corporate governance or by-laws through their directives. In the case of smaller companies or [startups](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-a-startup), this may include everything from human resources to [team-building](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/team-building-activities-explained). CEOs of nonprofit organizations may be required to lead fundraising efforts.
- __Manages the C-suite__. The CEO leads and guides the company’s C-suite or executive team, which may include the senior management team depending on its organizational structure. They will carry out the company’s strategic goals and vision with advice from the board of directors and the company stakeholders—who elect the board—by assigning directives to executives and management.
- __Creates company policies__. A CEO is ultimately responsible for making strategic decisions that will positively accelerate the company’s valuation to meet the long-term goals of its employees and [stakeholders](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/stakeholder-explained). Among these decisions are marketing strategies, forging connections to other companies, resource management, and the tone of company culture, all with the ultimate goal of increasing shareholder value, employee motivation, and customer satisfaction.
The difference between a CEO and the president of a company depends on the company itself. In most cases, the CEO is the highest-level executive at the company, and the president is second-in-command. The president is generally tasked with aiding the CEO in carrying out the company’s vision through meetings with vice presidents and management.

However, in certain companies, CEOs may also serve as both president and the public face of the company. Additionally, CEOs may be the managing director and chairperson of the board of directors at smaller companies.
Get the [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com) for exclusive access to video lessons taught by business luminaries, including Howard Schultz, Chris Voss, Robin Roberts, Sara Blakely, Daniel Pink, Bob Iger, Anna Wintour, and more.
The CEO is the executive tasked with carrying out the vision of the company through strategic decisions.

The CEO is the executive tasked with carrying out the vision of the company through strategic decisions.

What Is a Chief Executive Officer? A Look Into a CEO’s Role

A chief executive officer, or CEO, is the job title afforded to the highest-ranking executive at a company. The primary role of the CEO is to formulate, guide, and maintain the company’s strategic plan. Hence, they are responsible for the company’s big picture: its overall direction and profitability. The CEO also oversees the company’s C-level or top executives, which can include the president, who is typically the second-in-command, the <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-a-cfo' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-a-cfo","linkCopy":"chief financial officer","category":null}'>chief financial officer</a> (CFO), the chief operating officer (COO), and the <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/chief-marketing-officer-role-explained' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/chief-marketing-officer-role-explained","linkCopy":"chief marketing officer","category":null}'>chief marketing officer</a> (CMO). The CEO ensures that senior management adheres to the company’s business decisions. A CEO is the main conduit between the company’s senior executives and its <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/board-of-directors-explained' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/board-of-directors-explained","linkCopy":"board of directors","category":null}'>board of directors</a> and reports directly on business developments to them. In some cases, the CEO may have a seat on the board and even serve as its chairman. The board members set the responsibilities of a CEO which, depending on the company’s size, may include everything from public relations to overseeing causes related to the organization’s <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-write-an-effective-mission-statement-in-3-steps' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-write-an-effective-mission-statement-in-3-steps","linkCopy":"mission statement","category":null}'>mission statement</a>.The career path to becoming a CEO typically begins with a bachelor’s degree in business administration or a related field and may include a master’s degree in business (MBA). Several years of experience in corporate finance is also crucial and typically follows a path from management to an executive position. But exhibiting the traits that make a great CEO are just as important, which includes world-class leadership skills, management know-how, <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-develop-a-smart-business-strategy' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-develop-a-smart-business-strategy","linkCopy":"business strategy","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>business strategy</a>, <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-informed-decisions' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-informed-decisions","linkCopy":"decision-making","category":null}'>decision-making</a>, and strong <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/robin-robertss-tips-for-effective-communication' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/robin-robertss-tips-for-effective-communication","linkCopy":"communication","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>communication</a>.

What Is a CEO?

A CEO’s job description encompasses many different elements. Some responsibilities of a CEO include:<ul class="mc-m-4 list-styled"><li class="">Day-to-day business. CEOs take a hands-on approach to the company’s day-to-day operations by administering corporate governance or by-laws through their directives. In the case of smaller companies or <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-a-startup' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-a-startup","linkCopy":"startups","category":null}'>startups</a>, this may include everything from human resources to <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/team-building-activities-explained' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/team-building-activities-explained","linkCopy":"team-building","category":null}'>team-building</a>. CEOs of nonprofit organizations may be required to lead fundraising efforts. </li><li class="">Manages the C-suite. The CEO leads and guides the company’s C-suite or executive team, which may include the senior management team depending on its organizational structure. They will carry out the company’s strategic goals and vision with advice from the board of directors and the company stakeholders—who elect the board—by assigning directives to executives and management. </li><li class="">Creates company policies. A CEO is ultimately responsible for making strategic decisions that will positively accelerate the company’s valuation to meet the long-term goals of its employees and <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/stakeholder-explained' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/stakeholder-explained","linkCopy":"stakeholders","category":null}'>stakeholders</a>. Among these decisions are marketing strategies, forging connections to other companies, resource management, and the tone of company culture, all with the ultimate goal of increasing shareholder value, employee motivation, and customer satisfaction. </li></ul>

What Are the Responsibilities of a Chief Executive Officer?

The difference between a CEO and the president of a company depends on the company itself. In most cases, the CEO is the highest-level executive at the company, and the president is second-in-command. The president is generally tasked with aiding the CEO in carrying out the company’s vision through meetings with vice presidents and management.However, in certain companies, CEOs may also serve as both president and the public face of the company. Additionally, CEOs may be the managing director and chairperson of the board of directors at smaller companies.

What Are the Differences Between a CEO and the President of a Company?

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The CEO is the executive tasked with carrying out the vision of the company through strategic decisions.

The CEO is the executive tasked with carrying out the vision of the company through strategic decisions.
