Learning Communities Spring 2025: Research and the Job Search

Learning about company leadership, including company wide, local, or departmental leaders, can help you understand the future of a company, how the company publicly presents itself, and what other organizations or companies the company may work with. Additionally, having a general idea of a leader or interviewer’s professional identity can help you connect with them by mentioning similar experiences or values. 

Questions to consider:

• Who is the leader of the organization? What title(s) do they hold?  
• Who leads the department of the job that interests you?
  • Is this a local team within a larger department? 
• Did the people in leadership roles work at the company before their current position?  
• What professional development or pathways for career growth does the company promote? 

Leadership is the face of a company and companies promote and market the qualifications and quality of their leadership as a reflection of who they are. 

There are several places you can check to see who is in charge of the company as a whole and the various departments. Start with the company's website. The leadership might be listed under an "About Us" or "Investors" link. If you don't see a link at the top of the website, look at the very bottom of the page for additional links.

The information could be listed under: "Leadership" , "Governance", "Executives", "Management", "Board" or "Board of Directors".

You can also do a search online or in popular resources, like newspapers, for the company name and "leadership."

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) - The head of an organization and is responsible for the overall operations and strategy.

Chief Financial Officer (CFO) - The senior executive who manages a company's finances and is responsible for their fiscal health.

Chief Operating Officer (COO) - Manages the day-to-day operations of a company.

Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) - Manages the company's marketing activities.

Chief Technology Officer (CTO) - Manages the organization's technology solutions.

Chief Information Officer (CIO) - Manages the company's computer technology system.

Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) - Manages the daily administrative tasks of an organization.

President - Typically second in command to the CEO.

Board of Directors (The Board) - A group of people who supervise the activities of a business, nonprofit organization, or a government agency. They make decisions that directly affect the company and represent the interests of the company's investors.

Board of Trustees (The Board)  - A group of people who are responsible for upholding the mission and assets of an organization and generally serve as unpaid volunteers. They don't involve themselves in the daily operations of the organization and operate in an advisory capacity.

Chairman (The Chair) - Leader of The Board.

Read about other positions: 20 Important Business Roles Within an Organization, Indeed

Board of Visitors: The Board of Visitors consists of 13 members appointed by the Governor for terms of four years subject to confirmation by the Virginia General Assembly. Of the persons appointed, four are alumni of the University--three of whom may be nonresidents of the Commonwealth. Board members are eligible for reappointment for an additional term.  List of Current Board Members

President of the University: Dr. Javaune Adams-Gaston, Biography

The Cabinet: This includes Division Vice Presidents and Executive Management. List of Cabinet Members

Office of the President Staff: The Office Staff includes Vice President for Operations and Chief Strategist for Institutional Effectiveness, Chief of Staff, Executive Advisor to the President for Governmental Relations, Clerk to the University President/Liaison to the Board of Visitors, and the Scheduler and​ Financial Services Specialist I. List of Office Staff