In business, the duties of vice presidents vary with the organization. When an organization has a CEO and president, the VP is usually third in command. In other organizations, the same person may have the title CEO and president. In these instances, the VP is second in command. Vice president is also a title used to designate the leader of portions of the organization or functions within organizations. These functional areas are often called departments or groups. For instance, someone can be the VP of human resources or VP of marketing, VP of finance, or VP of customer service. In large organizations, vice presidents may also have ranking titles. The executive VP is usually the highest level, followed by senior vice president, vice president, assistant VP, and associate VP. All are management-level positions with responsibilities that vary from company to company.
How a Vice President Works
The responsibilities of a vice president can closely mirror those of a president or CEO, and they vary depending on the needs of the organization. In cases where the vice president serves as the second in command to the president with responsibilities over a total organization, the VP may lead particular goals or hold leadership roles within all of thestrategic goals of the organization. The VP may also make commitments and sign important documents, help form strategies, evaluate the work of other leaders, and evaluate the success of an organization. The vice president would also normally fulfill the role of the backup decision-maker in a president or CEO’s absence.
Example of a Vice President
Let’s say a company of 200 employees is overhauling its marketing strategy in order to increase its online presence. The VP of Marketing at this company may be responsible for ideating and presenting the company’s new marketing strategy to the President and CEO. Some of the VP’s specific duties may include
Guiding and evaluating the Director of Marketing’s process and plan to implement this strategySigning off on the marketing arm’s budget for future quartersServing as an expert on the awareness of both the external and internal competitive landscapeEvaluating the overall success of the marketing department, making suggestions to the president and CEO on how to improve this department.
The degree of success to which the VP manages the Marketing department and its overhaul plan will determine whether or not they continue with the company in the VP or higher-management role.
Vice President vs. Director
In general, a VP’s role is more strategic, while a director’s role is more tactical. In other words, a VP will usually set goals and objectives, and a director will ensure the department is doing what it needs to meet them, including planning, directing and coordinating efforts.
