Overview

A vice president is an official who supports and substitutes for a president when needed. The position exists in both business and government settings and ranks immediately below the president in most hierarchies. The vice president commonly carries delegated duties during normal operations and assumes full authority if the president is unable to serve.

Typical responsibilities

Responsibilities vary by context but often include:

  • Acting as a designated successor to the president in cases of resignation, incapacity, or death.
  • Overseeing specific portfolios, departments, or projects assigned by the president.
  • Representing the organization or state at events and in negotiations when the president is unavailable.
  • Providing counsel and serving as a senior member of management or the executive branch.

History and etymology

The term "vice" derives from the Latin word meaning "in place of". Historically, the role emerged to ensure continuity of leadership and to distribute executive work. Over centuries the office evolved in different systems: in some republics it is a constitutionally defined, often elected post; in corporate practice it is a senior job title created by boards or owners to manage operations.

Variations, selection and rank

Selection methods differ: vice presidents can be appointed, elected together with a president, or chosen by a board. In corporations there are often several grades—associate, vice president, senior vice president, executive vice president—each indicating a different scope of responsibility. In some national contexts the role is called deputy president. In British English business usage the responsibilities associated with a vice president often correspond to those of a director, though organizational terminology varies widely.

Examples and notable facts

Government vice presidents may have constitutional duties such as presiding over a legislature or chairing councils; corporate vice presidents typically manage divisions or functions like finance, sales, or operations. Some countries appoint multiple vice presidents with distinct portfolios, while others maintain a single deputy. The degree of power held by a vice president ranges from largely ceremonial to nearly equal to the president, depending on legal provisions and political or corporate practice.

See also: how succession rules, organizational charts and titles affect the practical authority of a vice president in different systems.