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Chief executive

Alternative titles for this job include Chief executive officer, CEO, managing director, businessman, businesswoman

Chief executives plan and put into place policies to help their organisations be successful.

Average salary (a year)

£55,000 Starter

to

£150,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 39 a week

You could work

evenings attending events or appointments

How to become a chief executive

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role

University

You'll usually need a degree, postgraduate or professional qualification related to the organisation's work. For example, an area like business administration, finance or law.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 to 3 A levels for a degree
  • a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course

More information

Apprenticeship

You can get into this job through a senior leader master's degree in management apprenticeship.

This will usually take 2 to 3 years to complete. You'll do on-the-job training and spend time with a training provider.

Employers will set their own entry requirements.

More information

Work

You could move into this role if you've got several years' experience of working at senior management level, along with commercial expertise.

More information

Career tips

You'll need a very strong commitment to the organisation's aims.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • business management skills
  • the ability to use your judgement and make decisions
  • leadership skills
  • customer service skills
  • the ability to motivate and manage staff
  • the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
  • financial management skills
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • being able to use a computer terminal or hand-held device may be beneficial for this job.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

Your day-to-day duties may include: 

  • setting out the organisation’s aims and how it will meet them
  • making decisions about the organisation’s priorities
  • working closely with a senior management team to put policies in place
  • managing relationships with partners
  • making sure the organisation meets its legal obligations
  • reporting to the organisation’s chairperson or owner
  • promoting the organisation at conferences, events and in the media
  • controlling budgets

Working environment

You could work in an office.

Your working environment may be you'll travel often and emotionally demanding.

Career path and progression

You could also work as a management consultant, advising clients on commercial strategy and policy.

Training opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a chief executive right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Business Administration Pearson Level 1 Award

  • Provider: Richmond And Hillcroft Adult And Community College
  • Start date: 30 April 2019
  • Location: Richmond

NCFE DIPLOMA IN BUSINESS AND ADMINISTRATION LEVEL 2

  • Provider: THE ISLE OF WIGHT COLLEGE
  • Start date: 01 September 2019
  • Location: Newport
Find courses near you

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