Is a VP a C Level Executive in a Firm?

Everyone is aware of what a VP means, but is a Vp a C Level Executive? We will also find out what a C Level Executive is.

People are always asking me what does the term C Level mean. So let’s get started…

What Does VP Mean?

A VP Position is one level below a C Level Executive. There are three C Levels within the Corporate Hierarchy:

1. CEO (Chief Executive Officer)

2. COO (Chief Operating Officer)

3. CFO (Chief Financial Officer)

So if you are a VP then you are in the second-highest corporate position, just under the CEO. If your title is President, you are in the third-highest corporate position just below the CEO and just above the COO. 

If your title is Executive Vice President, you are in the third-highest corporate position just below the COO and just above the CFO. 

If your title is Senior Vice President, you are in the fourth-highest corporate position just below the CFO. Since there are three of these positions, then there are three levels to the Corporate Hierarchy.

What Does the Term C Level Mean?

When talking about the Corporate Hierarchy, there are three levels of positions within the hierarchy:

• The top-level is the CEO. 
• The next level is the COO and CFO. 
• The third level is the VPs, Presidents, and Senior Vice Presidents.

Can you have more than one C Level position?

Yes, there can be more than one person in a corporation with a C Level Position. For example, in many corporations, there are two people with a COO Position. One person handles sales and the other person handles manufacturing. This is also true for CEOs, CFOs, etc.

What are VP Responsibilities?

Being a VP is not easy. You are responsible for the area of the business that you are leading. Here are some things that you might be responsible for…

Strategy:

The VP of Marketing is responsible for the overall marketing strategy and implementation of that strategy. 

Organization Chart:

A VP is responsible for the organization chart. This means that you are responsible for deciding where people will work and how they will work together to achieve the goals of the corporation. 

Planning:

A VP is responsible for planning. You are responsible for planning all of the projects for your area of responsibility, including what needs to be done, by whom, and when it needs to be completed. 

Goal Setting:

A VP is responsible for goal setting. You are responsible for setting specific goals for your department and then deciding how those goals will be achieved. 

Scheduling:

A VP is responsible for scheduling. You are responsible for deciding who is available to do what and when. You are responsible for making sure that everyone is available to do the work that has been planned. 

Delegating:

A VP is responsible for delegating tasks. You are responsible for choosing the best person for the job and letting them know what needs to be done and by when. You are responsible for letting them know how they will be evaluated on their success in completing the task. 

Recruiting & Hiring:

The VP of Human Resources is responsible for recruiting and hiring new employees to fill positions in the corporation. The Director of Human Resources reports directly to the VP of Human Resources. The Director of Human Resources is responsible for coordinating with the VP to recruit and hire new employees.