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What does a Chief Executive Officer do?

Photo of Brenna Goyette
Brenna Goyette
Certified Professional Resume Writer, Career Expert

Published 3 min read

A chief executive officer (CEO) is the highest-ranking executive in a company, and their primary responsibilities include making major corporate decisions, managing the overall operations and resources of a company, and acting as the main point of communication between the board of directors and corporate operations.

Chief Executive Officer job duties include:

  • Overseeing the daily operations of the company
  • Developing and implementing strategic plans to ensure the long-term success of the organization
  • Creating and maintaining a positive corporate culture
  • Building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders, including shareholders, board members, employees, customers, and suppliers
  • Managing financial resources effectively to achieve organizational goals
  • Identifying new business opportunities and initiatives to drive growth
  • Negotiating and closing deals with partners, customers, and suppliers
  • Representing the company at events and conferences
  • Overseeing marketing and communications activities

Chief Executive Officer Job Requirements

Most chief executive officers (CEOs) have a bachelor’s degree, although some have an advanced degree, such as an MBA. Many CEOs also have experience in the business world, either as an executive in another company or as the owner of their own business. Some CEOs are certified public accountants (CPAs).

Chief Executive Officer Skills

  • Strategic Thinking
  • Business Acumen
  • Leadership
  • Communication
  • Decision Making
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Organizational
  • Planning
  • Interpersonal
  • Team Building

Related: Top Chief Executive Officer Skills: Definition and Examples

How to become a Chief Executive Officer

There is no one specific path to becoming a Chief Executive Officer (CEO), but there are a few things that will help you on the way. Firstly, it is important to get a good education, preferably in business or economics. Secondly, it is helpful to have experience working in various roles within a company, so that you can understand the different aspects of running a business. Finally, it is essential to be able to think strategically and have excellent leadership skills.

If you can tick all of these boxes, then you will be well on your way to becoming a CEO. However, it is also important to remember that luck plays a part in success, so don’t be discouraged if it takes longer than you expected to reach the top.

Related: Chief Executive Officer Resume Example

Related: Chief Executive Officer Interview Questions (With Example Answers)

Editorial staff

Photo of Brenna Goyette, Editor

Editor

Brenna Goyette

Expert Verified

Brenna is a certified professional resume writer, career expert, and the content manager of the ResumeCat team. She has a background in corporate recruiting and human resources and has been writing resumes for over 10 years. Brenna has experience in recruiting for tech, finance, and marketing roles and has a passion for helping people find their dream jobs. She creates expert resources to help job seekers write the best resumes and cover letters, land the job, and succeed in the workplace.

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