Key Positions In Your Company |
Depending on the
nature of your business you will create positions
appropriate to the type of work an individual will be
performing. The key management positions that you
will want to consider as your business grows includes
the following.
|
|
Chairman of the Board |
The top ranking
officer on a corporate board of directors. The Board
elects and removes the officers of a corporation and
oversees the human, financial, environmental and
technical operations of a corporation.
The Vice Chairman is
someone who sits in on the board in the absence of the
Chairman of the Board. |
Executive Chairman |
When the Chairman of
the Board also have responsibilities such as CEO,
President, COO, etc. then he is called an Executive
Chairman. |
President
|
legally recognized
highest "titled" corporate officer, and usually a member
of the Board of Directors. However, if there is a
separate CEO, the President is then second
highest-ranking position and his title then becomes
President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) and is
focused on daily operations. |
Vice President |
The Vide President usually reports to the CEO or
President. This title can further hierarchically
be layered as:
Executive Vice President
Senior Vice President
Associate Vice President
Assistant Vice President
It is common for officers serving as department heads
be given the title of Vice President (VP), Executive
Vice President (EVP) or Senior Vice President (SVP).
For example:
VP for Administration
VP for Operations
EVP for Finance
SVP for Technology
etc. |
President and Chief Executive
Officer (CEO) |
This
position can be held by one individual. In many
organizations you will see the Presidents
also holding the title of CEO and serve as a member of the
Board of Directors. |
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) |
Becomes the highest
"titled" corporate officer if there is no President and
CEO position. The CEO serves as the visionary and leader
of the organization. The CEO may also serve as the
Chairman of the Board of Directors. |
Chief Operating Officer (COO) |
Responsibility for the
daily operation of the company and reports to the CEO.
This role is also combined with that of President when
there is a CEO. |
General Manager |
A General Manager has
the same responsibility as that of a CEO. He/she
is responsible for the overall management of the
business. |
Director |
This is not the same
as Directors who serve on the Board of Directors.
This title usually refers to lowest executive
(management) level within a company, except in Banking.
A Director may report to a Vice President. |
Supervisor |
A Supervisor is
someone who has the authority to directions and/or
orders to subordinates, and can be held responsible for
the work and actions of the employees under their
control. He/she does not have the authority to
hire and fire someone, but can participate in the hiring
and firing process by making recommendations to
management. A supervisor may report to a manager
such as Director, VP, SVP, EVP, etc. |
Associate |
This is a customer
service position or temporary/part time worker position.
In the legal
profession it is used to indicated a lawyer who is not a
partner of the law firm.
|
Treasurer |
Responsible for the
management of the company funds. This is a legally
recognized corporate officer.
This role is often
combined with that of Secretary and is referred to as Secretary-Treasurer.
The Treasurer
has a reporting line to the Board of Directors,
regardless of any other reporting lines conferred by
concurrent titles. |
Secretary |
The Secretary is
responsible for keeping the records of the Board and the
Company.
He/she is a legally
recognized "titled" as a corporate officer and reports
to the Board of Directors. |
Chief Information officer (CIO) |
Responsible for the
company's information resources. This is the person in
charge of all of the information technology (IT) people
in your organization that manages all of your computers,
printers, faxes, copiers, etc. The CIO reports to
the CEO or COO.
|
Chief Technical Officer (CTO) |
Also referred to as
the Chief Technology Officer. This is a high-level
corporate officer position. Responsible for the
company's technology and R&D direction. This title is
used primarily in technology companies that develops
technology for sale. |
Chief Human Resource Officer (CHRO) |
Also called the Chief
Personnel Officer (CPO). The CHRO is responsible
for
employee hiring and
termination; succession planning, employee
compensation; public relations, etc. The CHRO
reports directly to the CEO. |
Chief Financial Officer (CFO) |
The CFO provides
oversight of the company's finances. He/she is
responsible for accounting and audits. He/she may
also serve as the Treasurer. |
Chief Product Officer (CPO) |
The CPO is responsible
for the product concept, development and production.
This individual can also double as the COO. He/She
reports to the CEO. |
Chief Marketing Officer (CMO): |
The CMO is responsible
for the marketing activities of a company which
includes, establishing pricing, distribution channel
management, marketing communication management, market
research, customer service, etc.
The CMO duties can be
combined with the Chief Sales Officer (CSO) and Chief
Product Officer (CPO) duties.
The CMO reports to the
CEO or COO. |
Chief Sales Officer (CSO): |
The CSO is responsible
for all sales within a company. This includes
receiving and processing orders for the company's
products and/or services, managing returns, etc. |