What Does a CEO Do?
A chief executive officer is the highest-ranking executive in an organization, responsible for defining strategic direction, ensuring long-term growth, and overseeing day-to-day operations. Reporting to the board of directors, the CEO makes high-level decisions that affect the organization’s performance, culture, and market position.
CEOs lead senior management teams, allocate resources, manage investor and board relations, and uphold the mission, vision, and values of the organization. Their success is measured by key business metrics such as revenue growth, profitability, market share, employee engagement, and customer satisfaction. CEOs must balance short-term performance with long-term sustainability and innovation.
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CEO Core Responsibilities
- Set and communicate the organization’s vision, mission, and strategic goals
- Oversee the development and execution of long- and short-term business strategies
- Manage overall operations and performance across all departments
- Build, lead, and mentor the executive leadership team
- Monitor financial performance and ensure fiscal accountability
- Represent the organization to investors, partners, media, and regulatory bodies
- Drive organizational culture and ensure alignment with core values
- Identify and mitigate operational and reputational risks
- Ensure compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements
- Report to and collaborate with the board of directors on governance matters
Required Skills and Qualifications
Hard skills
- Proven experience with business strategy, financial planning, and P&L oversight
- Expertise in corporate governance, compliance, and risk management
- Strong grasp of market trends and competitive positioning
- Familiarity with performance metrics, KPIs, and executive reporting
Soft skills
- Visionary leadership and strategic decision-making
- Exceptional communication and executive presence
- High emotional intelligence and talent development ability
- Conflict resolution and stakeholder management
Educational requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, or a related field (required)
- Master of Business Administration (MBA) or equivalent preferred
Certifications
- Not required, though board governance training (e.g., NACD certification) is valued
Preferred Qualifications
- 10+ years of senior executive leadership experience
- Track record of scaling operations or turning around underperforming businesses
- Industry-specific expertise (e.g., healthcare, SaaS, manufacturing)
- Experience working with boards, investors, or in publicly traded environments
National Average Salary
CEO salaries vary by experience, industry, organization size, and geography. Click below to explore salaries by local market.
The average national salary for a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is:
$398,500
Sample Job Description Templates for CEOs
Interim CEO
Position Overview
An interim CEO provides transitional executive leadership, often during a leadership gap, organizational crisis, or restructuring phase. This temporary role ensures operational continuity, stakeholder confidence, and strategic progress while the organization searches for a permanent CEO.
Responsibilities
- Stabilize day-to-day operations and maintain leadership continuity
- Assess organizational strengths, risks, and immediate needs
- Manage relationships with the board, investors, or donors
- Support leadership transitions, including onboarding a permanent CEO
- Make short-term decisions aligned with long-term strategy
Requirements
Hard skills
- Cross-functional executive oversight
- Organizational assessment and crisis management
Soft skills
- Calm, authoritative presence
- Rapid adaptability and clear communication
Educational requirements
- Bachelor’s degree required; MBA or executive-level training preferred
Certifications
- Not required
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience as a CEO, COO, or executive leader
- Proven success in interim or turnaround leadership roles
Startup CEO
Position Overview
A startup CEO drives early-stage company development, leading product innovation, team building, and investor engagement. This role is both strategic and hands-on, requiring agility, resilience, and bold vision to take an idea to market success.
Responsibilities
- Set company vision and lead product-market fit validation
- Secure funding through investor pitches and relationship management
- Recruit and retain early team members across key functions
- Oversee operations, financial planning, and go-to-market strategy
- Cultivate partnerships and build brand presence
Requirements
Hard skills
- Startup finance, fundraising, and business development
- Product strategy and early-stage growth execution
Soft skills
- Visionary leadership and entrepreneurial drive
- Risk tolerance and adaptability
Educational requirements
- No fixed requirement; bachelor’s or master’s in business, tech, or related field preferred
Certifications
- Not required
Preferred Qualifications
- Prior startup founder or early executive experience
- Track record of raising capital and scaling operations
Corporate Division CEO
Position Overview
A corporate division CEO leads a business unit or subsidiary within a larger organization, with full P&L responsibility and strategic autonomy. This role balances local execution with alignment to corporate goals and governance standards.
Responsibilities
- Set strategy and manage operations for the division
- Ensure financial performance and cost control targets are met
- Lead product, sales, marketing, and support teams within the division
- Collaborate with corporate executives on shared goals and reporting
- Drive growth, innovation, and cross-business synergy
Requirements
Hard skills
- Enterprise financial management and divisional P&L ownership
- Operational leadership across multiple functions
Soft skills
- Strong communication across corporate and division layers
- Strategic alignment and organizational diplomacy
Educational requirements
- Bachelor’s degree required; MBA preferred
Certifications
- Not required; board governance experience is a plus
Preferred Qualifications
- 10+ years in senior leadership within a corporate environment
- Experience managing multiple business lines or geographic regions
Nonprofit CEO
Position Overview
A nonprofit CEO leads mission-driven operations, ensuring program effectiveness, financial sustainability, and community impact. This role manages staff, works closely with the board, and maintains compliance with nonprofit regulations and funder expectations.
Responsibilities
- Oversee all programs, fundraising, and staff development
- Collaborate with the board on strategy, goals, and governance
- Ensure budget adherence and donor stewardship
- Represent the organization to external stakeholders and the public
- Monitor program outcomes and impact measurement
Requirements
Hard skills
- Nonprofit financial management and grant compliance
- Program oversight and donor reporting
Soft skills
- Mission alignment and empathetic leadership
- Fundraising and external relationship building
Educational requirements
- Bachelor’s degree required; master’s in nonprofit management or public admin preferred
Certifications
- Not required; CFRE or equivalent is a plus
Preferred Qualifications
- 5+ years of nonprofit leadership experience
- Track record of fundraising and board collaboration