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Corporate titles are titles conferred on individuals as a means of identifying their function in the organization. Titles vary by the type of organization, the sector that it is, whether it is for-profit or non-profit, public or private, partnership or sole proprietorship. Some sectors, such as educational institutions, have particular titles. Titles are an important aspect of corporate governance.

Some of the most common titles are chief executive officer (CEO), chairman of the board of directors, and president, are often used interchangeably.

There are considerable variations in the hierarchical structure of companies. For instance, some corporations have a Chairman and CEO for a chief administrator, while the number two is the President and Chief Operating Officer (COO); other companies however, have a President and CEO with no official deputy. Executive Vice President is commonly used as the title for a division head. However, this position can also be referred to as Vice Chairman, or even President and CEO of the division, depending upon the corporation's structure. Corporate titles are sometimes given more for prestige than out of any differentiation in job function. For example, Roy E. Disney, who is a former director of The Walt Disney Company, is now the Director Emeritus of the board. The position holds no real influence, but is meant as a sign of respect to the Disney Legend.^[1]

"C-level" titles begin with the term "chief."

The most common titles are chief executive officer and chief financial officer. Other titles in widespread use are chief information officer, chief administrative officer, chief communications officer, creative director (or chief creative officer), chief operating officer, and chief technical officer. A director or manager of human resources is often considered a C-level title.

Other corporate titles include:

• chief accounting officer
• chief acquisition officer
• chief audit executive
• chief automation officer
• chief analytics officer
• chief benefits officer
• chief business officer/business development officer
• chief channel officer
• chief compliance officer
• chief credit officer
• chief data officer
• chief design officer
• chief diversity officer
• chief engineering officer
• chief experience officer (CXO)
• chief governance officer
• chief information security officer
• chief innovation officer
• chief intellectual property officer
• chief investment officer
• chief knowledge officer
• chief learning officer
• chief legal officer
• chief marketing officer
• chief networking officer
• chief people officer
• chief privacy officer
• chief process officer
• chief product officer
• chief quality officer
• chief research officer
• chief revenue officer
• chief risk officer
• chief sales officer
• chief science officer
• chief security officer
• chief strategy officer
• chief sustainability officer
• chief visionary officer

• Chief International Operations (CNO)

Bill Gates took the title of Chief Software Architect of Microsoft. Chief Medical Officers in the United Kingdom advise the government on health policy.

The board of directors (or executive board) plays a role in many corporations. Individuals that sit on the board are called members or directors. The chairman of the board often has a great deal of responsibility. Often a vice chairman is also selected.

Senior management refers to those at the highest organizational levels of the corporation. A president, vice president, and treasurer are often important, along with a company secretary.

Other titles include that of founder (sometimes combined with CEO, as in founder/CEO), general manager, and owner. Executive director, non-executive director, and managing director are also important terms.

See also: Standard Occupational Classification System, Businessperson, and Agency cost