The President is one of the most variable titles in business — sometimes the second-in-command, sometimes the operational leader, sometimes a CEO-in-waiting. Here is what the role actually involves.
A title defined by context
No senior title varies more than President. In one business the President runs the company day to day as the operational counterpart to the CEO; in another they lead a major division or region; in another the role is a step toward CEO succession. Understanding what a President does always begins with the specific business, because the title alone tells you little.
The common thread: running the business
Across its variations, the President role usually centres on running the business, or a substantial part of it, operationally — turning strategy into execution, leading the operating teams, and owning day-to-day performance. Where a CEO often looks outward and long-term, a President frequently owns the inward, operational work of making the business run well.
The relationship with the CEO
When both roles exist, the President-CEO relationship defines what each does. Typically the CEO holds ultimate accountability and external and strategic focus, while the President runs operations and execution — but the split varies, and the best partnerships are ones where the division of responsibility is explicit and both leaders accept it.
Why the role exists
Businesses create a President role to add senior leadership capacity — an operational partner to a strategic CEO, a leader for a major division, or a proving ground for a future chief executive. The value of the role depends entirely on defining its purpose clearly, which is also the key to hiring one well.
Hiring a President?
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Explore President Search →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a President and a CEO?
It varies by business, but typically the CEO holds ultimate accountability with an external and strategic focus, while the President runs the business or a division operationally, day to day. The exact split must be defined.
What does a President do day to day?
Most commonly, running the business or a major part of it operationally — turning strategy into execution, leading the operating teams, and owning day-to-day performance — though the role varies widely by company.
Related: President vs CEO · How to Hire a President · COO vs President
