Management & LeadershipISCO 1120
Chief executive officer
A chief executive officer is a person who holds the highest authority in an organisation's hierarchy and answers for how the whole of it is run.
Check yourself in a minute: chief executive officer
Rate 5 of the 28 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
integrate strategic foundation in daily performance
imprint visionary aspirations into the business management
strive for company growth
develop organisational policies
establish collaborative relations
About chief executive officer
The chief executive is expected to hold a full picture of how the company operates, of its departments, its risks and its shareholders, and to analyse different kinds of information and draw the connections between them that a decision requires. Business plans are analysed and developed, company strategies are formulated, and shareholders' interests are taken into account in that planning.
The chief executive takes responsibility for managing the business as a whole and follows the company's strategic foundations in daily work, making sure that decisions taken in departments are consistent with the agreed strategy and business plans.
The chief executive serves as the communication channel to the board of directors, reporting to it and implementing the overall strategy it approves. The chief executive is also responsible for financial management and sets company policies, the internal rules by which the business operates. Requirements for the post, including education and management experience, are set by the organisation that appoints the chief executive.
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (28)
financial statementsfinancial statementsThe set of financial records disclosing the financial position of a company at the end of a set period or of the accounting year. The financial statements consisting of five parts which are the statem...financial managementfinancial managementThe field of finance that concerns the practical process analysis and tools for designating financial resources. It encompasses the structure of businesses, the investment sources, and the value incre...marketing managementmarketing managementThe academic discipline and function in an organisation which focuses on the market research, market development, and the creation of marketing campaigns to raise awareness on the company's services a...business process modellingbusiness process modellingThe tools, methods and notations such as Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN) and Business Process Execution Language (BPEL), used to describe and analyse the characteristics of a business proce...company policiescompany policiesThe set of rules that govern the activity of a company.integrate strategic foundation in daily performanceintegrate strategic foundation in daily performanceReflect on the strategic foundation of companies, meaning their mission, vision, and values in order to integrate this foundation in the performance of the job position.imprint visionary aspirations into the business managementimprint visionary aspirations into the business managementIntegrate ambition and visionary plans in both the planning and the day-to-day operations in order to set goals for the company to strive for.strive for company growthstrive for company growthDevelop strategies and plans aiming at achieving a sustained company growth, be the company self-owned or somebody else's. Strive with actions to increase revenues and positive cash flows.develop organisational policiesdevelop organisational policiesDevelop and supervise the implementation of policies aimed at documenting and detailing the procedures for the operations of the organisation in the lights of its strategic planning.establish collaborative relationsestablish collaborative relationsEstablish a connection between organisations or individuals which may benefit from communicating with one another in order to facilitate an enduring positive collaborative relationship between both pa...lead managers of company departmentslead managers of company departmentsCollaborate and guide the managers of the departments of a company in terms of the objectives of the company, the actions, and expectations required from their managerial scope.analyse business plansanalyse business plansAnalyse the formal statements from businesses which outline their business goals and the strategies they set in place to meet them, in order to assess the feasibility of the plan and verify the busine...interpret financial statementsinterpret financial statementsRead, understand, and interpret the key lines and indicators in financial statements. Extract the most important information from financial statements depending on the needs and integrate this informa...negotiate with stakeholdersnegotiate with stakeholdersNegotiate compromises with stakeholders and strive to reach the most beneficial agreements for the company. May involve building relationships with suppliers and customers, as well as ensuring product...analyse financial performance of a companyanalyse financial performance of a companyAnalyse the performance of the company in financial matters in order to identify improvement actions that could increase profit, based on accounts, records, financial statements and external informati...track key performance indicatorstrack key performance indicatorsIdentify the quantifiable measures that a company or industry uses to gauge or compare performance in terms of meeting their operational and strategic goals, using preset performance indicators.liaise with shareholdersliaise with shareholdersCommunicate and serve as communication point with shareholders in order to provide an overview on their investments, returns, and long-term plans of the company to increase profitability.shape corporate cultureshape corporate cultureObserve and define the elements in the corporate culture of a company in order to reinforce, integrate and shape further the codes, values, beliefs and behaviours aligned with the company's aims.develop revenue generation strategiesdevelop revenue generation strategiesElaborate methodologies through which a company markets and sells a product or service to generate income.integrate shareholders' interests in business plansintegrate shareholders' interests in business plansListen to the perspectives, interests, and vision of the owners of the company in order to translate those guidelines into pragmatic business actions and plans.develop company strategiesdevelop company strategiesEnvision, plan, and develop strategies for companies and organisations aimed at achieving different purposes such as establishing new markets, refurbishing the equipment and machinery of a company, im...plan medium to long term objectivesplan medium to long term objectivesSchedule long term objectives and immediate to short term objectives through effective medium-term planning and reconciliation processes.define organisational standardsdefine organisational standardsWrite, implement and foster the internal standards of the company as part of the business plans for the operations and levels of performance that the company intends to achieve.assume responsibility for the management of a businessassume responsibility for the management of a businessAdopt and assume the responsibility that entails running a business, prioritising the interest of its owners, the societal expectation, and the welfare of employees.develop business plansdevelop business plansPlan, write and collaborate in the implement business plans. Include and foresee in the business plan the market strategy, the competitive analysis of the company, the design and the development of th...build trustbuild trustExpress intentions and behaviour in a coherent and transparent manner, inviting reciprocity and establishing the grounds for a trusting and reliable connection between people and teams.shape organisational teams based on competenciesshape organisational teams based on competenciesStudy the profiles of collaborators and decide the best place for directors and collaborators following an strategic mindset and serving to the goals of the company.make strategic business decisionsmake strategic business decisionsAnalyse business information and consult directors for decision making purposes in a varied array of aspects affecting the prospect, productivity and sustainable operation of a company. Consider the o...
Optional (34) — show
mergers and acquisitionsmergers and acquisitionsThe process of joining together separate companies and relatively equal in size, and the purchase of a smaller company by a bigger one. The financial deals, the legal implications, and the consolidati...airport environmental regulationsairport environmental regulationsThe official regulations for environmental standards in airports as dictated by national codes for planning airport facilities and related developments. These include regulatory aspects which govern n...business lawbusiness lawThe field of law concerned with the trade and commerce activities of businesses and private persons and their legal interactions. This relates to numerous legal disciplines, including tax and employme...subsidiary operationssubsidiary operationsThe coordination, processes, and operations revolving around the management of subsidiaries either nationally or internationally. The integration of strategic guidelines coming from the headquarters, ...joint venturesjoint venturesThe legal agreement between companies which get together to create a temporary legal entity where they can share knowledge, technology, and other assets aiming at developing new products or services a...airport operating environmentairport operating environmentThoroughly understand the airport operating environment, the operational characteristics, services, activities, and procedures of a general aviation airport service area, as well as of those of the su...apply export strategiesapply export strategiesFollow and implement strategies according to the size of the company and possible advantages towards the international market. Set goals to export products or commodities to the market, in order to mi...implement improvements in airport operationsimplement improvements in airport operationsCarry out improvement procedures in airport operations based on an understanding of the needs of an airport. Plan and develop improvement procedures using adequate resources.manage relationships with stakeholdersmanage relationships with stakeholdersCreate and maintain solid internal and external relations with stakeholders at operational level based on mutual trust and credibility in order to achieve organisational goals. Ensure organisational s...manage budgetsmanage budgetsPlan, monitor, report on the budget and prepare set production budgets.motivate employeesmotivate employeesCommunicate with employees in order to ensure that their personal ambitions are in line with the business goals, and that they work to meet them.interact with the board of directorsinteract with the board of directorsPresent the results of the company, answer questions in regards to the organisation, and receive guidelines on the future perspectives and plans for the company.ensure lawful business operationsensure lawful business operationsComply with legislation in the daily operations of a company.speak different languagesspeak different languagesMaster foreign languages to be able to communicate in one or more foreign languages.provide assistance to airport usersprovide assistance to airport usersSupport and assist various types of airport customers.describe the financial situation of a regiondescribe the financial situation of a regionConsider a number of variables such as political, social, and economic in order to analyse and describe a region or country from a financial standpoint.disseminate general corporate informationdisseminate general corporate informationAnswer questions, resolve doubts, and solve inquiries in regard to general institutional and corporate information such as program rules, regulations and procedures. Assist with information to both, e...evaluate performance of organisational collaboratorsevaluate performance of organisational collaboratorsEvaluate the performance and results of managers and employees considering their efficiency and effectivity at work. Consider personal and professional elements.evaluate budgetsevaluate budgetsRead budget plans, analyse the expenditures and incomes planned during certain period, and provide judgement on their abidance to the general plans of the company or organism.implement operational business plansimplement operational business plansImplement the strategic business and operational plan for an organisation by engaging and delegating to others, monitoring progress and making adjustments along the way. Evaluate the extent to which s...abide by business ethical code of conductsabide by business ethical code of conductsConform and follow the ethical code of conducts promoted by companies and businesses at large. Ensure that operations and activities do comply with the code of conduct and ethical operations the suppl...define the corporate structuredefine the corporate structureStudy different company structures and define that one that best represent the interest and goals of the company. Decide among horizontal, functional, or product structures, and managerial independenc...show intercultural awarenessshow intercultural awarenessShow sensibility towards cultural differences by taking actions which facilitate positive interaction between international organisations, between groups or individuals of different cultures, and to p...keep updated on the political landscapekeep updated on the political landscapeRead, search, and analyse the political situation of a region as a source of information applicable for different purposes such as information, decision-making, and management, and investments.follow the statutory obligationsfollow the statutory obligationsUnderstand, abide by, and apply the statutory obligations of the company in the daily performance of the job.apply import strategiesapply import strategiesFollow and implement strategies for importing according to the size of the company, the nature of its products, the available expertise, and business conditions on the international markets. These str...identify airport safety hazardsidentify airport safety hazardsSpot threats related to security at the airport and apply procedures to counteract them in a quick, safe, and efficient way.manage publicly traded companiesmanage publicly traded companiesManage companies participating in the financial market with all the implications it brings such as valuation of the company based on the market, scrutiny by regulatory organisations, disclosure of fin...apply airport standards and regulationsapply airport standards and regulationsKnow and apply the accepted standards and regulations for European airports. Apply knowledge to enforce airport rules, regulations, and the Airport Safety Plan.impart business plans to collaboratorsimpart business plans to collaboratorsDiffuse, present, and communicate business plans and strategies to managers, employees making sure that objectives, actions, and important messages are properly conveyed.develop professional networkdevelop professional networkReach out to and meet up with people in a professional context. Find common ground and use your contacts for mutual benefit. Keep track of the people in your personal professional network and stay up ...collaborate in company's daily operationscollaborate in company's daily operationsCollaborate and perform hands-on work with other departments, managers, supervisors, and workers in different aspects of the business from preparing accounting reports, envisioning the marketing campa...build international relationsbuild international relationsBuild positive communication dynamics with organisations from different countries in order to build a cooperative relationship and optimise information exchange.implement strategic planningimplement strategic planningTake action on the goals and procedures defined at a strategic level in order to mobilise resources and pursue the established strategies.
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Frequently asked questions
What does a chief executive officer do?
Chief executive officers hold the highest ranking in a pyramidal corporate structure. They are able to hold a complete idea of the functioning of the business, its departments, risks, and stakeholders. They analyse different kinds of information and create links among them for decision-making purposes. They serve as a communication link with the board of directors for reporting and implementation of the overall strategy.
What skills does a chief executive officer need?
A chief executive officer needs 28 essential skills, including financial statements, financial management, marketing management, business process modelling, company policies.
Will AI replace chief executive officer jobs?
The AI disruption score for chief executive officer is 54/100 (moderate risk). Skills most exposed to automation: financial statements, track key performance indicators, interpret financial statements. Most resilient: build trust, interact with the board of directors, show intercultural awareness.
AI Replacement Risk
54/ 100
Moderate Risk
Low riskHigh risk
Quick Facts
SectorManagement & Leadership
ISCO GroupChief executives, senior officials and legislators
Essential Skills28
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