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You need to hire an executive for your leadership team—but what title should you put on the job description?
When it comes to determining whether a position is at the Director, Head, Vice President, or C-suite level, there’s not always a clear-cut answer, but having a good idea of what you’re looking for will help uncover the best-fit candidates. We asked the experts on our team to weigh in on what differentiates each level of executive.
Factors to Consider
Just like any other executive hire, it’s important to consider the context of the role, including the size and stage of the company, the needs of the role, and the existing team. If the new leader reports directly to the CEO, they’re likely higher in the company structure than someone reporting to another executive. It can also be helpful to consider the scope and authority of the role. Are they overseeing a small team, or multiple divisions of the company? Will they have the authority to make major decisions on their own?
There’s no single right answer, but our team follows a general rule of thumb when it comes to categorizing C-suite, VP, Head of Function, and Director roles.
C-Suite
At the Chief executive level, leaders spend the majority of their time on management, strategy, and high-level collaboration with other executives within the organization. This person is in the second line of leadership (behind the CEO), will spend significantly less time “in the field,” and wields the most decision-making authority.
Vice President
A VP will often straddle the line between tactical work and strategy. They likely manage a team of their own while working closely with their manager and collaborating with cross-functional peers.
Head
This title is often leveraged by early stage companies with smaller teams, a limited reporting structure, and a clear set of leaders who are focused both on overseeing strategy and executing day-to-day tactics.
Director
Typically, a director is almost entirely tactical. They may closely manage a small team or be an individual contributor, with day-to-day company operations falling within their purview. Directors are execution-oriented leaders who play a key role in carrying out company goals set by senior leadership.
Final Thoughts
In the end, it’s the individual who fills the role that matters, not the title. It’s good to note that consistency can help maintain equity and clarity across your executive team. If your organization has an existing hierarchal structure, you may want to label a role accordingly, rather than relying on external standards, and that’s fine. After all, titles are free.
Regardless of the seniority of your next executive hire, it’s a good idea to reflect on the needs of the company, the long-term expectations of the role, and the impact on the existing team. If you’re not sure where to start, our team of executive search experts can help.
When you work with Bolster, our experienced team works alongside you to make your search a success. We take the time to listen, understand, and respond to your needs, support you throughout your search, and offer our expertise as a resource.
Want to know more about what it’s like to work with us? Let us know what you’re looking for.
