What Do Chief Executives Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Chief Executives determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers. They also direct or coordinate an organization’s financial or budget activities to fund operations, maximize investments, or increase efficiency.

Other tasks include:

• Appoint department heads or managers and assign or delegate responsibilities to them.
• Analyze operations to evaluate performance of a company or its staff in meeting objectives or to determine areas of potential cost reduction, program improvement, or policy change.
• Direct, plan, or implement policies, objectives, or activities of organizations or businesses to ensure continuing operations, to maximize returns on investments, or to increase productivity.
• Direct or coordinate activities of businesses or departments concerned with production, pricing, sales, or distribution of products.
• Prepare budgets for approval, including those for funding or implementation of programs.
• Confer with board members, organization officials, or staff members to discuss issues, coordinate activities, or resolve problems.

We asked Chief Executives how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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88% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 74% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Chief Executives direct or coordinate an organization’s financial or budget activities to fund operations, maximize investments, or increase efficiency. They direct, plan, or implement policies, objectives, or activities of organizations or businesses to ensure continuing operations, to maximize returns on investments, or to increase productivity.

A typical day for a Chief Executive will also include:

• Direct or coordinate activities of businesses or departments concerned with production, pricing, sales, or distribution of products.
• Analyze operations to evaluate performance of a company or its staff in meeting objectives or to determine areas of potential cost reduction, program improvement, or policy change.
• Direct non-merchandising departments, such as advertising, purchasing, credit, or accounting.
• Review reports submitted by staff members to recommend approval or to suggest changes.
• Confer with board members, organization officials, or staff members to discuss issues, coordinate activities, or resolve problems.

We asked some Chief Executives a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	100% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	74% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	98% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	53% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	24% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	94% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Chief Executives also preside over or serve on boards of directors, management committees, or other governing boards. They may also attend and participate in meetings of municipal councils or council committees.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Chief Executives Refer major policy matters to elected representatives for final decisions. They might also Serve as liaisons between organizations, shareholders, and outside organizations.

In addition, they Negotiate or approve contracts or agreements with suppliers, distributors, federal or state agencies, or other organizational entities.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Review and analyze legislation, laws, or public policy and recommend changes to promote or support interests of the general population or special groups.

To some Chief Executives, it is also their responsibility to Review reports submitted by staff members to recommend approval or to suggest changes.

Working life

More than 40 hours per week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Chief Executive, you can expect to work more than 40 hours per week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like starting up and carrying out projects. They like leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business..

They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/management/top-executives.htm

http://www.amanet.org/

https://nma1.org/

http://www.fma.org/