What is the Difference Between CEO and President?

The CEO and President are two distinct roles within a company's hierarchy, with the CEO generally being the highest-ranking officer and the President being the second-highest ranked officer. Here are the key differences between the two roles:

CEO (Chief Executive Officer):

• Manages the overall direction of the company.
• Responsible for long-term strategic planning and increasing revenue and shareholder value.
• Works closely with the company's board of directors.
• Focuses on large-scale concerns such as building shareholder wealth and creating a sound company culture.
• Has overall responsibility for the entire company.

President:

• Focuses on day-to-day operations of the company.
• Reports to the CEO and is typically second in command.
• More involved with implementing marketing plans, cutting costs, and other operational matters.
• May have one operational unit as their priority.
• Works more closely with lower-level executives, outside suppliers, and customers.

In some cases, the same person may hold both the CEO and President titles, especially in smaller companies. However, in larger companies, the roles are often distinct, with the CEO focusing on long-term strategy and the President focusing on day-to-day operations.

Comparative Table: CEO vs President

Here is a table comparing the differences between a CEO and a President:

In general, a CEO is considered the highest-ranking officer in a company, while the President is the second-highest-ranking officer. However, in some cases, a company may have one person executing the roles of both CEO and President, particularly in smaller companies or those without subsidiaries. The roles and responsibilities of both positions may vary depending on the specific company and its corporate structure.