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CEO (Chief Executive Officer) Job Description: Top Duties and Requirements

Chief Executive Officers, or CEOs, are the highest-ranking executive managers of a firm. Their primary duties include managing the overall resources and operations of a company, making major corporate decisions, and acting as the main point of contact between the board of directors, employees, and the public.  

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CEO (Chief Executive Officer) duties and responsibilities

As the highest-ranking executive officer, either in a small or big organization, the general duty of a CEO is to set the tone of a company. They manage the overall activities of the organization, draw a working plan, and execute working policies for the firm. Other responsibilities of a CEO include:

  • Leading the ideation, planning, and implementation of new and long-term business strategies
  • Managing the company’s assets and liabilities
  • Serving as the figurative head of the organization
  • Making major decisions in the organization
  • Setting strategic goals and ensuring the goals are measurable
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CEO (Chief Executive Officer) Job Description Examples:

What does a CEO (Chief Executive Officer) do?

The role of a CEO varies and depends on several factors like the size of the company, the corporate structures and settings, and the culture of the company. For example, in large companies, the CEO should handle administrative tasks like dealing with high-level strategic decisions and directing the growth of the company.

Alternatively, in smaller firms, CEOs are required to be involved in the day-to-day activities of a company. They set the tone, culture, and vision of the company. In some companies, the CEO can work multiple roles. They can work as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), the Chief Operation Officer (COO), and the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO).

CEO (Chief Executive Officer) skills and qualifications

As the face of the company, the CEO should have a general understanding and knowledge of their industry. They should be visionary and have good listening skills. They should be lifelong learners, adaptable, and be able to manage people. Other skills and qualifications include:

  • Strong communication skills
  • Ability to make informed decisions
  • Ability to form good interpersonal relationships
  • Willingness to take calculated risks
  • Excellent detail-orientation and organization skills
  • Task delegation and prioritization skills

CEO (Chief Executive Officer) experience requirements

CEO is a senior-level position, so they are required to have a minimum of five years of related work experience. The right candidates for the CEO position must have extensive managerial experience, either working in other industries or by moving up from a lower post. Successful CEOs also need to have several years of experience working in a mid-level managerial position in their chosen industry.

CEO (Chief Executive Officer) education and training requirements

Bachelor’s degree in management, business administration, commerce, or equivalent fields are the primary educational requirement for this position. However, depending on the size of the company and the duties required of the CEO, some employers may required candidates to have a minimum of masters or doctorate degrees in relevant fields. To be sure that the prospective candidate is qualified for the position, some employers also prefer candidates to have certification in the field related to the industry.

CEO (Chief Executive Officer) salary expectations

According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a CEO is $114.033 per year. However, Salaries depend on factors like experience, education, location, and company.

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CEO (Chief Executive Officer) job description FAQs

Who does a CEO report to?

The CEO is the face of the company and the representative of the employees. Who a CEO is accountable to depends on the size and the structure of a company. In a small company, the business owner can be the CEO, so they are the highest-ranking officer in the company. In a large firm with shareholders, the CEO usually reports to the company’s board of directors. The board of directors is the committee set up to represent the company’s shareholders.

What are the qualities of a CEO?

As the most senior executive officer in the company, CEOs must have the willingness to take calculated risks. As an individual shouldered with the responsibility of the company, the CEO should be able to juggle several critical duties together. They must be able to multi-task and prioritize. Other inevitable qualities of a CEO include the ability to delegate tasks, good listening skills, confidence.

Who reports to a CEO?

Who reports to a CEO depends on the size and the structure of a company. In most firms, the executive officers (that is, the CFO, CMO, and COO) report directly to the CEO. However, In some small companies, the CEO engages more directly in the day-to-day activities of the company. So managers and directors who are not executive officers can also report to the CEO.

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