Director vs President — Salary, Roles, Hierarchy & Key Differences (2025)
Director vs President — Roles, Salary, Hierarchy, and Key Differences Explained (2025)
If you’ve ever wondered who is higher between Director vs President, how much their salary difference is, or how these roles compare to Vice President, CEO, or Managing Director — this post covers it all in a simple and SEO-rich way. Let’s break down the Director vs President roles across corporate and business structures in 2025.
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President vs Director — Meaning and Roles
- President Meaning: The President is typically the highest-ranking officer responsible for executing company strategy, managing departments, and driving business operations.
- Director Meaning: A Director is a member of the Board of Directors who provides strategic oversight, policy guidance, and governance for the organization.
In short, Directors set direction, while Presidents execute it.
Director vs President — Key Difference Table
| Criteria | Director | President |
|---|---|---|
| Position Type | Governance / Oversight | Executive / Operational |
| Reports To | Shareholders / Board Chairman | CEO or Board of Directors |
| Focus Area | Policy, corporate governance, long-term strategy | Execution of business plans, revenue growth, team management |
| Hierarchy Level | Below CEO but part of board | Top-level executive below CEO |
| Salary Range (2025 est.) | $120,000 – $250,000 / year | $200,000 – $450,000 / year |
Director vs President Salary (2025)
The President’s salary is typically higher due to operational authority and business accountability. In contrast, Directors may earn less in salary but more through bonuses, profit shares, or board compensations.
- Average Director Salary (2025): ₹25 – ₹60 lakh per year (India) / $120K – $250K (US)
- Average President Salary (2025): ₹50 lakh – ₹1.5 crore per year (India) / $200K – $450K (US)
At large MNCs and investment banks (like Goldman Sachs), an Executive Director may earn as much as a Vice President — showing overlapping pay bands based on department and performance.
Vice President vs Director — Which is Higher?
In most organizations, the hierarchy follows this order:
- CEO → President → Vice President → Director → Manager
This means the Vice President (VP) is higher than a Director in corporate hierarchy. However, in some European or government-linked companies, Directors may sit on the Board and thus have more governance power than VPs.
President vs CEO — Are They the Same?
While the President and CEO roles often overlap, they differ in focus:
- CEO (Chief Executive Officer): Responsible for the overall vision, strategy, and growth of the company.
- President: Focused on daily operations and implementation of the CEO’s vision.
In smaller companies, one person may hold both titles — President & CEO.
President vs Managing Director
The Managing Director (MD) is equivalent to a CEO in many countries, especially in the UK and India. In contrast, the President manages operations under the MD or CEO.
Hierarchy-wise: Managing Director > President > Vice President > Director.
Executive Director vs Vice President (Goldman Sachs Example)
In investment banking and global corporations like Goldman Sachs:
- Executive Director (ED): Senior professional leading teams, equivalent to a Vice President in U.S. terms.
- Vice President (VP): Slightly senior, client-facing role, higher bonus potential.
In Goldman Sachs hierarchy, it’s roughly: Analyst → Associate → VP → Executive Director → Managing Director.
President vs CEO vs Owner — Who’s the Top Boss?
This question is common among entrepreneurs. Here’s the distinction:
- Owner: The person who owns the company or equity stake.
- CEO: The highest-ranking executive managing long-term strategy.
- President: The top manager handling operations, teams, and execution.
In startups, one person may serve as all three — but in large corporations, these are separate positions.
Director or Vice President — Which Is Higher?
Typically, the Vice President outranks the Director. However, Directors hold governance power, especially if they’re Board Directors. Thus, in management chain — VP is higher, but in legal terms, a Board Director may outrank depending on context.
At a Glance — Director vs President Comparison Table
| Criteria | Director | President |
|---|---|---|
| Role Type | Strategic / Governance | Operational / Executive |
| Reports To | Board Chairman / CEO | CEO or Board |
| Hierarchy Level | Below VP (except board roles) | Above VP, below CEO |
| Average Salary | $120K – $250K | $200K – $450K |
| Main Focus | Strategy, governance, compliance | Execution, operations, leadership |
| Global Equivalent | Executive Director / Head of Department | Chief Operating Officer (COO) |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Director vs President — Who is higher?
A: The President is typically higher in day-to-day hierarchy, managing operations. But Board Directors oversee Presidents at governance level.
Q2: Director or Vice President — which is higher?
A: The Vice President is higher in corporate hierarchy, though Directors on the board may hold more decision power.
Q3: What is the difference between President and CEO?
A: The CEO sets the company vision, while the President ensures the execution of that vision through departments.
Q4: What is President vs Managing Director difference?
A: The Managing Director (MD) is the overall head, whereas the President focuses on operations under the MD or CEO.
Q5: What is Executive Director vs Vice President Goldman Sachs?
A: At Goldman Sachs, both ranks are close — the Executive Director is similar to or slightly above the Vice President depending on division.
Q6: Who earns more — Director or President?
A: The President’s salary is generally higher due to responsibility for revenue, though Directors may earn significant bonuses or stock options.
Conclusion
To sum up, the President is a top operational leader managing company execution, while the Director provides strategic oversight and governance. In the corporate world, President > Vice President > Director in hierarchy, though Board Directors remain key decision-makers above all executives. Understanding these distinctions helps professionals and entrepreneurs navigate business hierarchies effectively.
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