If you have wondered who is the senior-most between the CEO and Managing Director of a company, or what the difference between the two roles are, then you are not alone. They are both among the most senior leaders at any company. But there are some differences. Their roles are largely different and both are essential to a company’s smooth running, depending on the company.
Not every company has an MD or a managing director. But every company has a CEO or a chief executive officer. That’s the main difference between a CEO and Managing Director. The CEO’s role is more prominent and more common than the Managing Director’s role.
Here are some of the specifics.
CEO vs Managing Director
What is a CEO or Chief Executive Officer?
A CEO is at the highest level of hierarchy at any organization. Their job includes overseeing all areas of the company, whether operations or sales. But they do not involve themselves in the day-to-day workings of every department. They are more concerned with the overall running, strategies, and goals of the company. They are also the face of the company in the public eye.
What is a Managing Director?
A Managing Director is, on the other hand, among the highest leaders at an organization and usually functions under the CEO. They might also be part of the board of directors. The Managing Director is responsible for the day-to-day functioning of the company. In some companies, the Managing Director is answerable to the company’s shareholders in matters that regard the company’s future.
Responsibilities – CEO and Managing Director
A CEO is responsible for the overall success of the company. They are in charge of setting goals and strategies for the company’s future. They are also in charge of making all the important decisions for every aspect of the company.
A Managing Director reports to the CEO on updates and concerns on the day-to-day business of the company. They might also report to the board. They are responsible for the smooth functioning of daily processes and manage the managers and other department heads in a company. They are also tasked with liaising with the shareholders of the company.
Hierarchy of CEO and Managing Director
The CEO is at the highest position in a company. They head C-level members such as the COO, CTO, CFO, etc. They also rank higher than the vice president and many times, the Managing Director. They only report to the board of directors and the chairperson of the board of directors.
The Managing Director on the other hand has a vastly different place in the hierarchical order. In many companies they work under the CEO. In others, their role might be at par with the CEO and they might also be a part of the board of directors. In this case they report to the chairperson of the board.
Functional Roles of CEO and Managing Director
The CEO is the company’s decision-maker. The highest-ranking executive, the CEO is the face of the company to the public and internally as well. The CEO is responsible for developing and putting into motion the vision and long-term goals of the company. They are also involved in developing company policy and implementing the company’s strategic goals. They oversee the duties of the other C-level executives.
The Managing Director of a company oversees the function and performance of different departments. They also look after the daily performance and functioning of the departments or managers under them. Oftentimes the Managing Director is part of the board of directors. They work closely with the board to create policies and strategies for the success of the company. A Managing Director’s role isn’t written in stone, and can also involve aspects of a COO’s role or a vice president’s role too. This depends largely on the structure and requirements of a company.
Exceptions of Roles
There are instances where the titles of CEO and Managing Director belong with the same person. This usually happens when the CEO is also the founder of the company. While this is not uncommon, it is usually preferred that the roles are held by different people so that the power and authority that comes with them are distributed.
Similarities between CEO and Managing Director Roles
There are a few areas that CEOs and managing directors have similarities. This is usually with regards to their skills. Here are a few skills that both CEOs and managing directors share.
- Exceptional leadership and communication skills
- Interpersonal skills
- Organizational skills
- Analytical skills
- Conflict resolution skills
Is a CEO Higher Than an MD?
So, a CEO’s role might or might not be higher than that of a Managing Director’s. It depends largely on the company’s corporate and hierarchical structure.
Executive education
There are a few programs that you can opt for to prepare yourself for both of these positions.
MIT Professional Education Technology Leadership Program (TLP)
This is a multi-modular program delivered by MIT faculty on campus and virtually, geared towards the development needs of the next generation of technology CEOs, CTOs, CIOs, and emerging leaders. The program is designed for technology leaders and experienced practitioners from large corporations as well as startups—innovation-oriented firms that are focusing on leveraging emerging digital technologies to remain relevant and competitive in the marketplace. After completing TLP, you will be part of a cohort of global leaders and practitioners. You will also become an integral part of the global MIT Professional Education network and will be considered an alumni of TLP as well as MIT Professional Education.
UCLA Post Graduate Program in Management for Executives (UCLA PGPX)
It is an extensive general management program offered by the UCLA Anderson School of Management, one of the world’s top business schools. It is a part-time program with a modular format that provides great flexibility for busy professionals, while the UCLA faculty and industry leaders ensure that the program covers all aspects of best-in-class management education expected from a highly respected and globally renowned institution. The UCLA PGPX will put you on the map of global leadership with a combination of strategies, skills, and acumen that will stretch your thinking and hone your abilities as a leader and manager capable of achieving remarkable growth in your business. This program has been designed to expose the participants to management and business leadership essentials in an extensive general management curriculum that is designed to be experiential in learning and applied in focus.
Chicago Booth Accelerated Development Program (ADP)
The Chicago Booth ADP is a rigorous learning journey across 8 modules spread over 9 months and gives you access to the latest management thinking and tools. It is taught by an award-winning faculty at the Chicago Booth School of Business and accomplished senior business leaders. It creates an amazing opportunity to build a strong personal brand and competitively position yourself and your organization. ADP actively engages you in a collaborative learning environment with accomplished peers in . The Chicago Booth Accelerated Development Program is designed for the global executive with a focus on delivering impact and leveraging the significant history of the Accelerated Development Program delivered across the globe. The program is tailored for the busy schedules of senior professionals and is blended in design, with academic on-campus modules and off-campus experiences with online learning and live interactions to complement the on-campus experiences. You will build a global community of like-minded leaders and will become part of the Global ADP Network for life.
