What Does a Chief Executive Officer Do?

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is the highest-ranking executive in a company or organization. They are responsible for setting the overall strategies and policies of the organization, as well as ensuring that the leadership team is aware of any external and internal factors that may affect the company. The CEO is also responsible for overseeing other senior management positions, such as the Chief Digital Officer, Data Officer, and Marketing Director. Depending on the organization, the CEO may have several subordinate executives to help manage the day-to-day operations of the company.

The job duties of a CEO vary depending on the organization's mission, product, objectives, and operational needs. Generally speaking, a CEO's primary responsibilities include making important corporate decisions, managing a company's overall operations and resources, acting as the primary point of communication between the board of directors and corporate operations, and managing public relations. Subordinate chief executives who typically report to the CEO include the Chief Operating Officer (COO), Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Chief Strategy Officer (CSO), and Chief Commercial Officer (CBO). In some cases, a CEO may also serve as CFO and COO for smaller organizations or those that are still in their start-up or growth phases.

CEOs of large corporations may achieve fame due to their frequent relationships with the public. No matter what industry or sector they work in, CEOs are responsible for leading their organizations to success.