coexecutive

A coexecutive is a person who shares executive authority with one or more other individuals within an organization. The term is used in corporate, nonprofit, and governmental contexts to describe leaders who hold equal or distributed power rather than occupying a single top office. Common variants include co-executive, co-CEO, co-president, and co-executive director.

In practice, coexecutives may operate with equal standing or with a formal division of responsibilities outlined in governance documents such as bylaws, a charter, or an operating agreement. One coexecutive might focus on external matters such as strategy, fundraising, and public relations, while another concentrates on internal operations, finance, and administration, though arrangements vary. Decision-making can be by mutual agreement, majority vote, or a predefined tie-break mechanism, and the board of directors or a supervising body remains ultimately accountable for governance and fiduciary duties.

Advantages of a coexecutive structure include the combination of complementary skills, greater resilience during transitions, broader credibility with diverse stakeholders, and potential continuity if one leader departs. Disadvantages include potential for leadership conflict, ambiguity about authority, slower decision processes, unequal visibility or compensation, and the need for robust conflict-resolution and accountability mechanisms.

Implementation typically requires a clear agreement detailing powers, reporting lines, performance metrics, compensation, succession plans, and procedures for resolving disputes. Regular reviews help ensure the arrangement remains aligned with organizational goals and governance standards.

See also: co-CEO, executive director, governance, succession planning, nonprofit leadership.