Aspiring leaders have a growth mindset. They are hungry for new challenges and carve out an upward trajectory for themselves at their company or organization. A recent McKinsey study found that what employees want most out of their work are purpose and meaning.

Today more than ever, workers worldwide have an upper hand provided by remote work possibilities. Why should anyone settle for a salary dictated by the economy in their geographic area, when they can job search across state or country lines? Post-pandemic, many workers are still searching for the meaning of working for fulfillment. This is one reason why many aspiring leaders decide to earn a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership (MSOL).

The MSOL degree helps leaders discover their skillset and inner confidence. It is designed to help the next generation of business executives establish their professional futures. It is designed to prepare hard-working individuals for the meaningful business executive jobs they crave.

Common Corporate Business Executive Titles

Most business executive titles are familiar, like the C-suite series. Gaining access to this elite business leadership rank takes hard work, education, and experience, and these business executives are rewarded for their dedication. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, top executives make on average just shy of 100k annually, or $98,980 per year. However, this ranges by business title. The chief executive salary, for example, is $179,520 per year.

What are the ultimate business executive jobs out there in today’s marketplace, and how can you land them? It all starts with learning.

1. Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

The CEO is the chief in command. They paint the big-picture strategy and goals for the company. They are visionaries who also execute their vision by building departments and hiring talented individuals to support the company’s direction. CEOs have a very public-facing role. From employees to major investors and stakeholders, the CEO’s name and image are often synonymous with that of the organization. The CEO typically reports to a board of directors who help steer the company’s vision and funding.

2. President

When there is no CEO at a business, such as at a smaller business, the president title is often used to indicate the top in command. When there is a CEO, the President is typically second in command. Sometimes, the President’s role is labeled as Chief Operating Officer (COO). The COO role accurately describes what the President does: managing the operations of the company. The President or CEO may also be the founder of the company. Sometimes the President’s title refers to oversight of a regional or operational branch of the company. An MSOL program curriculum that focuses on performance management, sustainability of innovation and strategic advantage, and data-driven decision-making for executives provide the perfect background for aspiring business Presidents.

3. Chief Operating Officer (COO)

COOs maintain a deep understanding of their company’s teams and their employees. They essentially manage daily operations. The COO’s mission is to produce constant business improvement. However, the COO’s power is in seeing how each distinct business function can contribute to bettering the company. COOs encourage sales and productivity, cut costs, and weigh the viability of capital expenditures. For the health of the business, COOs must facilitate a workplace culture where employees feel valued, respected, and compensated. COOs work closely with the CFO regarding company finances and resource allocation to set profitability goals.

4. Vice President (VP)

A VP at a business manages the work of employees in leadership roles, such as Directors, Senior Managers, Managers, Specialists, and more. There may be more than one VP at a large business, where each VP handles units relevant to one another by region or function. VPs are often responsible for reviewing and signing off on legal documents for the business. They also participate in strategic planning with the President and members of the C-suite. The VP asks whether the business is meeting its metrics of success and solutions for any business units that are missing the mark. VPs benefit from advanced educational training on innovation techniques, such as those that one would adopt from an MSOL program. VPS also exercise their communication and staff development skills daily, which are cornerstones to the Goodwin University MSOL program.

5. Chief Information Officer (CIO)

Leaders with interest and experience in technology, computers, software, and data management should consider the CIO role. CIOs ensure that the business’s goals can be supported with digital platforms and equipment for employees to get their work done, and for clients or customers to engage with the business. CIOs work closely with IT specialists to right-size the business’ information technology systems and approve upgrades to them accordingly to meet new goals and productivity benchmarks. CIOs must be imbued with contemporary business technology trends so that they know how to maintain (or obtain) up-to-date tools for the business.

Climbing the Career Ladder to a Business Executive Role

In addition to a master’s degree in business or leadership, these business executive job titles also have something else in common. Candidates with experience are favored! We’re talking five years to multiple decades of experience. This is one reason adult learners are highly encouraged to enroll in Goodwin University’s MSOL degree program. Many of the MSOL program’s testimonials praise the professional training, and, more powerfully, the applicability of the curriculum to their existing knowledge base.

The MSOL program’s flexibility allows students to take care of their jobs, family, and other obligations while working towards their master’s education in a fully online or hybrid format. Students can complete their MSOL degree in as few as 20 months part-time.

Becoming a business executive can be a reality with the training offered by Goodwin University. Have your questions answered by calling (800) 889-3282, or request more information today!