Chief Executive Officer
Business
Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.
What you'd do all day
The tasks that matter most in this job, most important first.
- 1Direct or coordinate an organization's financial or budget activities to fund operations, maximize investments, or increase efficiency.
- 2Confer with board members, organization officials, or staff members to discuss issues, coordinate activities, or resolve problems.
- 3Prepare budgets for approval, including those for funding or implementation of programs.
- 4Direct, plan, or implement policies, objectives, or activities of organizations or businesses to ensure continuing operations, to maximize returns on investments, or to increase productivity.
- 5Prepare or present reports concerning activities, expenses, budgets, government statutes or rulings, or other items affecting businesses or program services.
- 6Implement corrective action plans to solve organizational or departmental problems.
- 7Analyze operations to evaluate performance of a company or its staff in meeting objectives or to determine areas of potential cost reduction, program improvement, or policy change.
- 8Direct or coordinate activities of businesses or departments concerned with production, pricing, sales, or distribution of products.
- 9Direct human resources activities, including the approval of human resource plans or activities, the selection of directors or other high-level staff, or establishment or organization of major departments.
- 10Appoint department heads or managers and assign or delegate responsibilities to them.
- 11Interpret and explain policies, rules, regulations, or laws to organizations, government or corporate officials, or individuals.
- 12Review reports submitted by staff members to recommend approval or to suggest changes.
- 13Nominate citizens to boards or commissions.
- 14Negotiate or approve contracts or agreements with suppliers, distributors, federal or state agencies, or other organizational entities.
- 15Establish departmental responsibilities and coordinate functions among departments and sites.
- 16Conduct or direct investigations or hearings to resolve complaints or violations of laws, or testify at such hearings.
- 17Deliver speeches, write articles, or present information at meetings or conventions to promote services, exchange ideas, or accomplish objectives.
- 18Serve as liaisons between organizations, shareholders, and outside organizations.
- 19Direct or coordinate activities of businesses involved with buying or selling investment products or financial services.
- 20Prepare bylaws approved by elected officials, and ensure that bylaws are enforced.
- 21Review and analyze legislation, laws, or public policy and recommend changes to promote or support interests of the general population or special groups.
- 22Make presentations to legislative or other government committees regarding policies, programs, or budgets.
- 23Coordinate the development or implementation of budgetary control systems, recordkeeping systems, or other administrative control processes.
- 24Preside over, or serve on, boards of directors, management committees, or other governing boards.
- 25Direct non-merchandising departments, such as advertising, purchasing, credit, or accounting.
- 26Refer major policy matters to elected representatives for final decisions.
- 27Direct or conduct studies or research on issues affecting areas of responsibility.
- 28Attend and participate in meetings of municipal councils or council committees.
- 29Organize or approve promotional campaigns.
- 30Administer programs for selection of sites, construction of buildings, or provision of equipment or supplies.
- 31Represent organizations or promote their objectives at official functions, or delegate representatives to do so.
Also known as
What this job is called on JobStreet, LinkedIn and in job ads. Search these too.
- CAO
- CDO
- CEO
- CFO
- CIO
- CNO
- COO
- CTO
- EVP
- CINO
How far is this from you?
Roughly how much preparation this job usually takes. In Malaysia your UPU route and the programme's syarat still decide entry, so treat this as a guide, not a gate.
1
Entry straight after SPM
2
SPM + sijil / short TVET course
3
Diploma / TVET (sijil–diploma)
4
Degree (ijazah sarjana muda)
Typical entry
Postgrad (sarjana / PhD) or professional route
Subjects that matter here
The SPM subjects worth your effort for this career, with the reason for each.
What you'd need to know
The subject areas this job leans on most, and the SPM subjects that build them.
- Administration and Management96%
BusinessEconomics
- Personnel and Human Resources90%
Business
- English Language88%
English
- Customer and Personal Service88%
- Economics and Accounting81%
Principles of AccountingEconomics
- Public Safety and Security78%
Tools you'd use
Software and equipment that show up in this job, worth learning early.
What the work feels like
Day-to-day working conditions, so you can tell whether the job suits how you like to work.
- Face-to-face discussionsEvery day
- Contact with other peopleConstant contact
- Dealing with customers or the publicVery high
- Leading or coordinating othersVery high
- Handling conflict situationsOften
- Indoors, air-conditionedEvery day
- Outdoors, in all weatherAlmost never
- Noisy environmentAlmost never
AI and demand for this job
A few real, dated data points — not a single score. AI making some tasks faster usually means a job changes, not that it disappears.
Share of everyday tasks today's AI can already help with (2023)
This estimate is from 2023 — already out of date, since AI moves fast. Treat it as a rough, aging starting point, not the current picture.
Of Malaysian Claude conversations, about this kind of work
Measures how much people use Claude for this work, not how many Malaysians do this job — and more AI use can mean people relying on it, not that it's replacing them.
TalentCorp and ILMIA's Critical Occupations List — evidence of a real hiring shortage in Malaysia right now.
Managing Directors and Chief Executives · Shortage indicators met: 5/12
Pay in Malaysia
We don't have a sourced Malaysian salary range for this job yet, and we'd rather show nothing than a number we can't stand behind.
Where to check:
- JobStreet and Hiredly job ads for this title
- DOSM Salaries & Wages Survey
- SSPA scheme tables, if you're aiming for a government post
Check what you may qualify for
Enter your SPM grades and see which routes and programmes you may qualify for. An estimate to plan with, not an offer.
How to get here
Post-SPM pathways with programmes in this career's fields. Tap one to see real programmes and entry requirements.
Related careers
If this interests you, these are worth a look too.
About this information
This describes what the job involves. Pay, demand and entry routes differ in Malaysia, so check the Pathways and Programmes pages for local requirements.
O*NET occupation: Chief Executives
Job responsibilities, knowledge areas and work context from O*NET 30.3, US Department of Labor, used under CC BY 4.0. onetcenter.org