Chief executive officer

Chief executive officer (often abbreviated as CEO) is the highest-ranking executive in a company, whose primary responsibilities include making major corporate decisions, managing the overall operations and resources of a company, acting as the main point of communication between the board of directors (the board) and corporate operations and being the public face of the company. A CEO is elected by the board and its shareholders.

Roles and Responsibilities

The CEO of a company has a wide range of responsibilities. These include setting strategy and direction, modeling and setting the company’s culture, values, and behavior, building and leading the senior executive team, and allocating capital to the company’s priorities.

Strategy and Direction

One of the primary roles of a CEO is to set the company's strategy and direction. This involves setting goals, planning for the future, and making key decisions that will affect the overall direction of the company. The CEO is responsible for ensuring that the company is moving towards its strategic goals and that it is positioned for long-term success.

Culture, Values, and Behavior

The CEO plays a crucial role in setting the company's culture, values, and behavior. They are responsible for creating a positive and productive work environment where employees feel valued and motivated to perform at their best. The CEO's behavior and actions set the tone for the company's culture and values.

Senior Executive Team

The CEO is responsible for building and leading the senior executive team. This involves selecting the top executives who will help run the company, setting their responsibilities, and ensuring that they work well together to achieve the company's goals. The CEO also plays a key role in developing leadership talent within the company.

Capital Allocation

The CEO is responsible for allocating capital to the company's priorities. This involves deciding where to invest the company's money to achieve the best return on investment. The CEO must balance the needs of different stakeholders, including employees, shareholders, and customers, when making these decisions.

See Also

• Board of directors
• Corporate governance
• Executive director
• Management