What does an executive officer do?

Executive officers execute high-level project support and executive tasks. These executives serve as the second-in-command in the organization. They assess the progress of the company's program plans to determine the success of its overall objectives. It is part of their job to coordinate the education, certification, and training of officers at the company level. They also emphasize safety risk management within the organization.
Executive officer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real executive officer resumes:
- Lead a twenty-three memberplatoon and are second-in-command of the 134-man company.
- Manage the overall compliance of the station to USMEPCOM regulations, inter-service de-confliction, and international VIP visitation.
- Manage a $250K budget and a 50,000 square foot facility that provides training to over 500 sailors each year.
- Manage all the administrative areas of a 140-man battery and the maintenance of vehicles and equipment value at $10M.
- Manage the orderly progression of all incoming and outgoing correspondence and monitors wing, NAF, MAJOCM, and USAF suspenses.
- Monitor managed finances and payroll.
- Rate as one of the top performing lieutenants in the battalion.
- Serve as company's second-in-command and on order serve as company commander in any situation.
- Develop and coordinate routine compliance assessments, audits, and inspections with internal DoD inspectors as well as external agencies.
- Ensure the proper accountability and maintenance of equipment and vehicles in accordance with DOD regulations, directives, and guidelines.
- Prepare weekly payroll and associate tax documents.
- Represent HQ PACAF at imagery intelligence conferences and technical exchange meetings.
- Create and orchestrate weekly training meetings using PowerPoint with company management teams.
- Coordinate training, education and certification for officers at platoon and company level.
- Ensure compliance with higher HQ regulations and instructions relate to space acquisitions/intelligence programs.
Executive officer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 16% of Executive Officers are proficient in Logistical Support, Oversight, and Combat. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Leadership skills, and Management skills.
We break down the percentage of Executive Officers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Logistical Support, 16%
Initiated efforts in delivering logistical support to deploying organizations, while ensuring supplies and needs were properly addressed.
- Oversight, 11%
Provided Human Resource policy guidance and interpretation, Logistics Management oversight, and monitored Plans & Operations at the directorate level.
- Combat, 7%
Managed eight personnel and oversaw the organizational maintenance program and supply acquisition to sustain over 58 combat vehicle systems and components.
- Human Resources, 5%
Served as company Human Resources Supervisor, Logistics Officer, Security Manager, Environmental and Safety Officer, and Facilities Coordinator.
- Resource Management, 4%
Provide analyses of current and planned operating programs and identify performance trends and issues associated with personnel and vehicle resource management.
- Property Accountability, 4%
Established a comprehensive property book and equipment tracking system, which greatly improved the troop's property accountability and serviceability.
"logistical support," "oversight," and "combat" are among the most common skills that executive officers use at work. You can find even more executive officer responsibilities below, including:
Communication skills. One of the key soft skills for an executive officer to have is communication skills. You can see how this relates to what executive officers do because "top executives must be able to convey information clearly and persuasively." Additionally, an executive officer resume shows how executive officers use communication skills: "maintained communications with higher and subordinate headquarters ensuring objectives are effectively executed by coordinating staff actions and polices. "
Leadership skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling executive officer duties is leadership skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "top executives must be able to shape and direct an organization by coordinating policies, people, and resources." According to an executive officer resume, here's how executive officers can utilize leadership skills in their job responsibilities: "provided leadership and experience to horizontal equipment platoon leaders. "
Problem-solving skills. executive officer responsibilities often require "problem-solving skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "top executives need to identify and resolve issues within an organization." This resume example shows what executive officers do with problem-solving skills on a typical day: "formulated usaf policy; resolved complex, sensitive int'l politico-military issues with european partners. "
Time-management skills. Another common skill required for executive officer responsibilities is "time-management skills." This skill comes up in the duties of executive officers all the time, as "top executives do many tasks concurrently to ensure that their work gets done and that the organization meets its goals." An excerpt from a real executive officer resume shows how this skill is central to what an executive officer does: "received, coordinated, and consolidated staff actions and special projects in a fast paced, deadline driven environment. "
The three companies that hire the most executive officers are:
- Saxbys Coffee12 executive officers jobs
- Pacific Architects and Engineers
4 executive officers jobs
- National Association of REALTORS4 executive officers jobs
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Executive officer vs. Vice president & general manager
A vice president and general manager's role is to implement policies and regulations while overseeing the business operations. Typically, it is their primary responsibility to devise training programs that would produce more efficient workforce members, create new strategies to boost sales and customer satisfaction, and participate in budget and goals creation. They mainly report to high-ranking officials such as the president and board members. Furthermore, a vice president and general manager may perform clerical tasks such as preparing progress reports and presentations, managing schedules, and responding to correspondence.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between executive officers and vice president & general manager. For instance, executive officer responsibilities require skills such as "logistical support," "oversight," "combat," and "resource management." Whereas a vice president & general manager is skilled in "customer service," "r," "revenue growth," and "product development." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Vice president & general managers really shine in the media industry with an average salary of $172,642. Comparatively, executive officers tend to make the most money in the government industry with an average salary of $71,740.The education levels that vice president & general managers earn slightly differ from executive officers. In particular, vice president & general managers are 0.8% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than an executive officer. Additionally, they're 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Executive officer vs. Division director
A division director is an individual who is responsible for managing team members and business operations that are assigned in his/her or her division to achieve the goals of a company. Division directors are required to evaluate division performance and ensure that the team's work complies with the company policies and procedures. They must lead new business development efforts with customers or brokers and should work closely with legal to ensure the protection of the company's interest. Division directors also assist in employee recruitment and provide training to the team if there are skill gaps.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real executive officer resumes. While executive officer responsibilities can utilize skills like "logistical support," "combat," "resource management," and "property accountability," division directors use skills like "client relationships," "business development," "customer service," and "healthcare."
Division directors earn a higher average salary than executive officers. But division directors earn the highest pay in the finance industry, with an average salary of $161,467. Additionally, executive officers earn the highest salaries in the government with average pay of $71,740 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Division directors tend to reach similar levels of education than executive officers. In fact, they're 3.0% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Executive officer vs. Managing director
A Managing Director oversees workflow and progress, making sure that all operations align within the company or organization's mission or set of goals. They are responsible for crafting strategies, devising effective business plans, and executing guidelines that would nurture a company's growth, and as well as to be the driving force that would direct employees to the company's objectives. Furthermore, a Managing Director must coordinate with those in a higher position, such as the members of the board.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, executive officers are more likely to have skills like "logistical support," "combat," "resource management," and "property accountability." But a managing director is more likely to have skills like "healthcare," "portfolio," "business development," and "project management."
Managing directors make a very good living in the finance industry with an average annual salary of $177,065. On the other hand, executive officers are paid the highest salary in the government industry, with average annual pay of $71,740.managing directors typically earn similar educational levels compared to executive officers. Specifically, they're 4.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 1.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Executive officer vs. Vice president
Vice presidents are usually considered the second-in-command in the organization, depending on the organization structure. They take over when the president is unavailable to fulfill duties. They may also represent the organization in external events and other official functions. They are important members of the boardroom, and their opinions are usually sought after as well. Vice presidents are usually poised to follow the president's footsteps in the organization, especially if the president is nearing retirement. They also make urgent and crucial decisions when the president is not available to do so. Vice presidents must have strong business acumen, decision-making skills, and professionalism.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between executive officers and vice presidents, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, an executive officer might have more use for skills like "logistical support," "combat," "resource management," and "property accountability." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of vice presidents require skills like "healthcare," "project management," "customer service," and "business development. "
In general, vice presidents earn the most working in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $159,773. The highest-paying industry for an executive officer is the government industry.In general, vice presidents hold similar degree levels compared to executive officers. Vice presidents are 2.5% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 1.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of executive officer
Updated January 8, 2025











