What is the hierarchy of management titles?
The hierarchy of management titles refers to the different levels of leadership within a company, from top executives to lower-level managers. It defines roles, responsibilities and authority to ensure organized business management.
Examples of C-level management titles
C-level executives hold the highest positions in a company and make critical decisions that shape its direction. Here are some common corporate management titles:
Chief executive officer (CEO)
The CEO is the top executive responsible for overlooking the entire organization. This role typically involves setting company goals, strategies and direction. The CEO also manages other C-level executives, who report directly to them. Sometimes, the CEO may also be the owner or the company’s president.
Chief operating officer (COO)
The COO generally reports to the CEO and focuses on the company’s day-to-day operations. This role ensures that employees carry out the proper plans and strategies to keep the business running at its best.
Chief financial officer (CFO)
The CFO is typically responsible for all financial aspects of the company, including budgeting, compliance and risk analysis. They establish financial policies and manage the finance and accounting departments.
Chief marketing officer (CMO)
The CMO manages the marketing department and develops the marketing strategy to boost sales and grow the company. This role often includes managing branding, market research, communications, events and other advertising activities while supervising the marketing team.
Chief technology officer (CTO)
Companies with significant technology needs frequently have a CTO to manage the technology department. This role focuses on innovation, especially if a Chief Information Officer (CIO) handles infrastructure. If the company only has a CTO, they typically manage innovation and infrastructure.
Chief information officer (CIO)
The CIO also oversees technology, primarily managing the company’s technology infrastructure. Some companies have either a CIO or a CTO, dividing responsibilities between them as needed.
Chief human resources officer (CHRO)
The CHRO manages everything related to the company’s workforce. They supervise the HR department and develop long-term strategies, including talent acquisition, retention and succession planning.
Chief compliance officer (CCO)
The CCO protects the organization against legal and regulatory risks. This executive is responsible for developing, implementing and regulating compliance programs that align with industry regulations and company policies. The CCO typically performs regular audits, monitors compliance activities and trains employees to ensure they understand relevant laws and ethical standards.
Chief sales officer (CSO)
The CSO leads and motivates the sales team and is responsible for creating and executing the sales strategy to drive revenue growth and expand market share. This role can involve analyzing market trends, identifying new business opportunities and setting sales targets for the organization.
Chief product officer (CPO)
The CPO typically oversees a product’s lifecycle, from conception to launch. This role involves market research to identify customer needs and trends and collaborating with design and engineering teams to develop innovative products.
Examples of leadership titles
As you hire candidates for various leadership positions, it can be beneficial to understand the meaning behind their job titles. Below is a list of leadership titles that can contribute to your organization’s success:
President
The president is a high-ranking executive whose role can change by company. Sometimes, the president holds the highest position, akin to a CEO. In other cases, the CEO and president may be the same person, or the president may operate just below the CEO, taking on responsibilities similar to those of a COO.
Assistant manager
An assistant manager supports the general manager or department manager. They often directly supervise employees, help with training, do performance reviews, monitor budgets, address issues and step in for the manager when necessary.
Area manager
Area managers control specific regions in companies that have multiple branches. They typically handle operational, financial and training tasks for all branches in their area, often travelling to different locations to work with local management teams.
Controller
A controller is a company’s financial expert. They generally manage financial statements, supervise finance staff, ensure compliance, look for cost-saving opportunities and help the management team with financial decision making.
Administrative director
The administrative director manages the organization’s logistics. They monitor office staff performance, such as administrative assistants and maintenance teams. Their responsibilities can include managing budgets, monitoring inventory and coordinating workflow across departments.
Operations manager
An operations manager improves operational processes within the company. They also help manage the production of goods or services, ensuring they meet quality standards.
Customer service manager
This person coordinates the customer service department, ensuring strong customer support. They typically handle customer satisfaction, complaints and feedback while managing the customer service team.
IT manager
An IT manager identifies a company’s technological needs and builds strategies, including planning software updates to improve its IT infrastructure.
Project manager
A project manager is responsible for planning and developing projects to help them stay on schedule and within budget. They often coordinate workflows across departments, create project budgets, assess risks and evaluate customer satisfaction after completion.
Chairperson
The chairperson leads a board or committee, ensuring all members engage in meetings to discuss relevant topics. They support the CEO and ensure that executive team members follow established procedures.
Director of public relations
This role involves executing a publicity strategy to uphold a positive company image. The director builds relationships with key media, government and business figures, and oversees a team that creates press releases and manages media outreach.
Vice president of marketing
The VP of marketing creates plans to encourage customer purchases. They work with the sales team on pitches and research market trends to improve brand visibility.
Sales supervisor
A sales supervisor develops sales pitches with the marketing team. They also track sales performance and may earn commissions based on their results.
Human resources manager
The HR manager is in charge of training and developing employees. They work with department managers to review performance, create improvement plans and handle hiring, including writing job ads and interviewing.
Talent acquisition manager
The talent acquisition manager focuses on hiring and keeping the best employees. They often work closely with HR to meet the company’s staffing needs.
Business development manager
The business development manager focuses on building relationships with potential partners. They increase company revenue by networking and setting up meetings to explore business opportunities.
General counsel
The general counsel is the chief legal officer, responsible for supervising the legal aspects of the company. They ensure compliance with local, national and international laws, mitigate legal risks and handle corporate governance matters.
Finance director
The finance director monitors the company’s financial health. They create accounting and finance practices, work with management on spending plans and ensure that financial reports are accurate for the fiscal year.
Frequently asked questions about management titles
What are B-level executives?
B-level executives or mid-level managers lead specific departments, such as sales or customer service. They typically report to a director and act as a bridge between employees and top-level executives. Their role involves helping departments run efficiently by setting objectives, managing daily tasks, and hiring and training staff.
How do leadership roles vary by company size?
Smaller companies may have fewer management levels, with some roles overlapping; for example, a CEO and president might be the same person. Larger companies have more defined roles and may include specialized positions, such as chief marketing officer (CMO) or chief information officer (CIO).
What is the difference between a manager and a supervisor?
A manager typically has more authority and responsibility than a supervisor. While a supervisor directly manages employees’ daily tasks, managers often focus on higher-level responsibilities like planning, setting goals and department performance.
Leadership roles can vary significantly based on size, with smaller companies often merging responsibilities while larger ones typically offer more specialized positions. Understanding different management roles and their responsibilities can help you place the right people in key positions to drive success at every level.
