The CEO is the top executive of a company; the president is the second-highest executive, after the CEO. In some cases, the second-highest executive in a company is called the chief operating officer (COO). CEOs are accountable to the directors, known collectively as the board. Both the CEO and the president are leadership positions in organizations.
Both are members of the executive management team and make important company decisions. So what makes the difference between the CEO and the president? A CEO, the executive director, is behind all high-level organizational decisions. They develop new strategies and policies, establish effective business objectives and shape the company's public image. A president manages the decisions at the microeconomic level and the daily operations of an organization.
They oversee other executives and managers and ensure that the company's departments are working properly. Sometimes the president is also the COO (chief operating officer). Yes, the CEO is the highest-ranking executive in a company and the president is just below the CEO. In some organizations, a person can hold both positions.
The type of company and the organizational structure play an important role in this case. For example, in small businesses, the business owner is often the CEO, president, and CEO at the same time. When a company grows, the positions of CEO, president and other high-level positions often separate as the functions of each position increase and require more time and dedication. Does that clarify the difference between the CEO and the president? Visit our library of human resources terms for similar definitions.
The chief executive officer (CEO) is often the highest-ranking official in a company, but this isn't always true. In smaller companies with a single owner or founder, they may hold both positions, which also makes them interim presidents. The relationship between a company's president and CEO can vary. However, in general, the president is responsible for managing operational strategies, while the CEO is responsible for developing the overall vision of the business.
In general, the CEO is considered to be at the top of a company's hierarchy, while the president will be second in command. Jan Koors, from Pearl Meyer, pointed out that, in many companies, the president has become the functional equivalent of the chief operating officer, which is also a position that can also involve managing day-to-day tasks. In general, the executive director (CEO) is considered to be the highest-ranking official in a company, while the president is the second in command; however, in corporate governance and structure there can be several permutations, so that the functions of both the CEO and the president can be different from company to company. The president is second in command after the CEO (or the first in command if there is no CEO) and he also usually plays the role of chief operating officer (COO).
The executive director (CEO) is the highest-ranking executive in any company and his main responsibilities include managing the company's operations and resources, making major corporate decisions, being the main liaison between the board of directors and corporate operations, and being the public face of the company.
