Unit Group (L4) 1140

1140 — Managing Directors and Chief Executives

Browse this Unit Group profile and explore linked occupation titles.

L4 CODE: 1140
1 LEGISLATORS, ADMINISTRATORS AND MANAGERS → 11 Legislators, Chief Executives and Senior Government Officials → 114 Managing Directors and Chief Executives
Summary
Managing Directors and Chief Executives (KeSCO 1140) supports outcomes in the Management & Leadership (Cross-sector) sector by applying job-specific knowledge, standards, and tools to deliver quality services or outputs. Duties and complexity vary by employer, work setting, and seniority level, but the occupation generally requires reliability, competence, and continuous learning.
Minimum entry
Bachelor’s degree or higher
Future outlook
Future trends such as digital transformation, automation, climate resilience, and changing consumer needs are shaping most occupations. Workers who continuously upskill (digital literacy, quality standards, safety, customer service, and modern tools) are more resilient and competitive.
Sectors
Management & Leadership (Cross-sector)ManagementPublic AdministrationCorporate LeadershipNGO/DevelopmentCross-sector
Description
Managing Directors and Chief Executives (KeSCO 1140) supports outcomes in the Management & Leadership (Cross-sector) sector by applying job-specific knowledge, standards, and tools to deliver quality services or outputs. Duties and complexity vary by employer, work setting, and seniority level, but the occupation generally requires reliability, competence, and continuous learning.
Employment prospects
Prospects depend on national and county demand, sector investment, policy priorities, and supply of trained workers. Job seekers improve prospects by gaining practical experience, building a portfolio or track record, earning relevant certifications, and being flexible on location and sub-sector.
Tasks
  • Set goals, plans, and performance targets aligned to organisational strategy
  • Develop budgets, allocate resources, and monitor utilisation
  • Supervise staff: assign duties, coach performance, and conduct appraisals
  • Coordinate inter-departmental work and manage stakeholder expectations
  • Oversee policy implementation, governance, and compliance requirements
  • Manage projects and programmes: planning, execution, monitoring, reporting
  • Monitor risks, implement controls, and respond to incidents or crises
  • Strengthen service delivery through process improvement and innovation
  • Oversee procurement/contract management and vendor performance
  • Represent the organisation in meetings, negotiations, and public engagements
  • Ensure timely reporting, documentation, and accountability requirements
  • Promote ethical conduct, transparency, and a results-oriented culture
Skills
Communication (verbal and written) | Teamwork and collaboration | Problem-solving and critical thinking | Time management and prioritisation | Attention to detail and accuracy | Customer service orientation | Integrity and ethical conduct | Adaptability and continuous learning | Decision-making and judgement | Documentation and record-keeping | Digital literacy (basic) | Safety awareness and compliance mindset
Core skills
  • Communication (verbal and written)
  • Teamwork and collaboration
  • Problem-solving and critical thinking
  • Time management and prioritisation
  • Attention to detail and accuracy
  • Customer service orientation
  • Integrity and ethical conduct
  • Adaptability and continuous learning
  • Decision-making and judgement
  • Documentation and record-keeping
  • Digital literacy (basic)
  • Safety awareness and compliance mindset
Technical skills
  • Use of hand and power tools safely
  • Installation, maintenance, and repair procedures
  • Reading drawings/specifications and measurements
  • Troubleshooting and fault diagnosis
  • Quality control and workmanship standards
  • Equipment handling and preventive maintenance
  • Workplace safety and PPE usage
  • Basic electrical/mechanical principles (as relevant)
  • Material handling and storage
  • Site readiness and task planning
  • Compliance with standards and inspections
Transferable skills
  • Leadership and supervision (as one progresses)
  • Negotiation and stakeholder management
  • Conflict resolution
  • Presentation and public speaking
  • Creativity and innovation
  • Emotional intelligence
  • Planning and organisation
  • Resilience and stress management
  • Service mindset and empathy
  • Networking and relationship building
  • Analytical thinking
  • Professionalism and work discipline
Certifications
  • Trade test / competency certification (where applicable)
  • Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) certification (strongly recommended)
  • Equipment-specific operator certification (where applicable)
  • First Aid certification (recommended in many workplaces)
Education
Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline (business, law, economics, public administration, sector field) | Entry through junior professional roles → supervisory roles → middle management | Leadership and governance training (ethics, public finance, strategy, performance management) | Continuous development (executive education, postgraduate studies, sector certifications)
Pathways
  • Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline (business, law, economics, public administration, sector field)
  • Entry through junior professional roles → supervisory roles → middle management
  • Leadership and governance training (ethics, public finance, strategy, performance management)
  • Continuous development (executive education, postgraduate studies, sector certifications)
Relevant courses
  • Diploma/Certificate in Electrical/Electronics Engineering
  • Diploma/Certificate in Mechanical Engineering
  • Civil/Construction Technology
  • Welding and Fabrication
  • Plumbing and Pipefitting
  • Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
  • Automotive Mechanics
  • Plant/Machine Operation
  • Occupational Safety and Health (OSH)
  • CAD/Draughting basics
Institutions
  • Universities (accredited public and private universities offering relevant programmes)
  • National Polytechnics and TVET institutions (diploma, certificate, artisan programmes)
  • Technical Training Institutes and Vocational Centres
  • Professional Colleges and Accredited Training Academies
  • Sector Training Authorities and Recognised Centres of Excellence
  • Employer-based Academies and Apprenticeship Programmes
  • Online Learning Platforms (supplementary; verify recognition for regulated fields)
  • Industry Associations and Professional Bodies (short courses/CPD)
Minimum requirements
  • Minimum education: Bachelor’s degree or higher
  • Basic literacy and numeracy (reading, writing, and basic calculations)
  • Good conduct, reliability, and professional behaviour
  • Ability to follow instructions, procedures, and workplace rules
  • Basic digital literacy where the role uses computers/phones
  • Physical/medical fitness where the role is physically demanding or safety-sensitive
  • Regulatory registration/licensing where required (profession-dependent)
  • Background checks/clearance for sensitive roles where applicable
Work context
Workplace policies | Team collaboration | Quality standards | Office-based | Meetings | Stakeholder engagement | Decision-making | Travel/field visits
Where they work
  • Public sector institutions, private companies, NGOs and community-based organisations depending on the sector.
Work setting
Not specified.
Schedule
Full-time commonDaytime hours commonDeadlines possible
Employment type
Formal employment possiblePublic sector leadership rolesCorporate executive rolesBoard/committee engagements possible
Earnings
Entry level
KES 80,000 – 150,000
Mid level
KES 150,000 – 300,000
Senior level
KES 300,000+
Entry-level typical range (illustrative): KES 80,000 – 150,000 | Mid-level typical range (illustrative): KES 150,000 – 300,000 | Senior/experienced typical range (illustrative): KES 300,000+ | Earnings vary by employer (public/private), location, allowances, commissions, overtime, risk factors, and scarcity of skills
How to become one
Gain a relevant degree, build experience in the sector, move into supervisory roles and develop leadership, financial and people-management skills.
Career progression
  • Assistant/Officer roles → Supervisor → Manager → Senior Manager/Director → Executive/CEO
  • Possible movement into board/committee leadership and high-level advisory roles
Related occupations
  • Other occupations within the same KeSCO major group
  • Support roles in the same sector/industry
  • Supervisory roles related to this occupation’s work area
  • Specialist variants of the same occupation (where they exist)
Occupation titles
1140-28 — Chairperson, Company
Chairperson, Company is responsible for presides over and/or participates in the determination and formulation of policies of enterprise or organization plans by analyzing economic, social, technical and legal trends; directs and co ordinates the general functioning and management of enterprise including technological resources, personnel and personnel selection within their professional field.
1140-12 — Chief Executive Officer
Chief Executive Officer is responsible for oversee the day to day operation of the company; provide inspired leadership company wide; make high level decisions about policy and strategy within their professional field.
1140-18 — College Principal
College Principal is responsible for work with teachers to create teaching schedules; approve or reject applications from prospective students; create a budget for the college take disciplinary action against students and staff members within their professional field.
1140-14 — Company Secretary
Company Secretary is responsible for plans, directs and co ordinates the general functions of the enterprise or organization; directs the implementation of the internal administration or financial operation of the enterprise within their professional field.
1140-25 — Dean of Students
Dean Of Students is responsible for supervise and managing the admissions office and all programs related to this office; serve as a liaison between institution administrators and student departments; create and implement department goals, policies, budgets, and working procedures within their professional field.
1140-27 — Director-General, Corporation
Director-General, Corporation is responsible for presides over and/or participates in the determination and formulation of policies of enterprises or organizations; plans by analyzing economic, social, technical and legal trends; directs and co ordinates the general functioning and management of enterprise including technological resources, personnel and personnel selection within their professional field.
1140-33 — Director, Educational Institution
Director, Educational Institution is responsible for oversees the day to day management of the institution directs and co ordinates the educational and administrative affairs of training college/school prepare and/or direct the implementation of curricula and extra curricular programmes; appraises the activities of the school within their professional field.
1140-13 — Executive Secretary
Executive Secretary is responsible for provides high level administrative support and assistance to the executive director and/or other assigned leadership staff; performs clerical and administrative tasks including drafting letters, memos, invoices, reports, and other documents for senior staff; arranges travel and accommodations for executives within their professional field.
1140-21 — Governor Central Bank
Governor Central Bank is responsible for responsible for the management of the bank including human resource functions authority to incur expenditure for the bank within the administrative budget approved by the board principal representative of the bank represent the bank in its relations with other public entities, persons or bodies represent the bank either personal or through counsel in any legal proceedings to which the bank is a party sign individually all jointly with other persons contract concluded by the bank, notes insecurities issued by the banks report within their professional field.
1140-26 — Head Teacher
Head Teacher is responsible for lead and manage the teaching team in order to ensure that all pupils make good progress and achieve their full potential are role model for other teachers, demonstrating excellent classroom practice plan and deliver engaging and effective lessons which meet the needs of all learners undertake regular observations and provide constructive feedback to staff to help them improve their practice monitor pupil progress and attainment, intervening where necessary to ensure that all pupils are on track to reach their targets liaise closely with parents/carers to keep them informed of their child’s progress and to involve them in supporting their learning work collaboratively with other members of the senior leadership team to contribute to the overall strategic direction of the school within their professional field.
1140-34 — Headmaster
Headmaster is responsible for plans, co ordinates and implements educational administrative activities of a public or private school; implements curricula and extra curricular programmes, arranges for procurement of supplies and examinations enforces school discipline; controls expenditure of school funds to meet budgets within their professional field.
1140-35 — Headmistress
Headmistress is responsible for plans, co ordinates and implements educational administrative activities of a public or private school; implements curricula and extra curricular programmes, arranges for procurement of supplies and examinations enforces school discipline; controls expenditure of school funds to meet budgets within their professional field.
1140-11 — Managing Director
Managing Director is responsible for develop and execute business strategies to achieve short and long term goals; reports to the board, providing market insights and strategic advice; develop and implement business plans to improve cost efficiency within their professional field.
1140-23 — Postmaster
Postmaster is responsible for ensure the efficient and orderly dispatch of mail within the postal system manage a team of postal workers, assigning tasks and monitoring performance maintain records of outgoing and incoming mail process payments for postal services resolve customer complaints in a timely and professional manner train new employees on postal regulations and procedures within their professional field.
1140-22 — Postmaster General
Postmaster General is responsible for ensure the efficient and orderly dispatch of mail within the postal system manage a team of postal workers, assigning tasks and monitoring performance maintain records of outgoing and incoming mail process payments for postal services resolve customer complaints in a timely and professional manner train new employees on postal regulations and procedures within their professional field.
1140-17 — School Principal
School Principal is responsible for work with teachers to create teaching schedules; approve or reject applications from prospective students; create a budget for the school within their professional field.
1140-16 — University Board Chairperson
University Board Chairperson is responsible for responsible for the leadership university board responsible for ensuring that the functions of the university board are carried on efficiently and effectively within their professional field.
1140-32 — University President
University President is responsible for plans, directs and co ordinates the educational and administrative affairs of a university in accordance with the university act, statutes and regulations oversees principal policy implementation promotes the interests of the university including those of staff and students in conjunction with senior administrators and officials of university faculties and departments within their professional field.
1140-31 — University Rector
University Rector is responsible for plans, directs and co ordinates the educational and administrative affairs of a university in accordance with the university act, statutes and regulations oversees principal policy implementation promotes the interests of the university including those of staff and students in conjunction with senior administrators and officials of university faculties and departments within their professional field.
1140-24 — University Registrar
University Registrar is responsible for oversees the interpretation and implementation of university policy, rules and regulations and is responsible for keeping documents and records of all university actions; organize and administering student records; oversee the student admissions and graduation process within their professional field.
1140-15 — University Vice Chancellor
University Vice Chancellor is responsible for serves on several councils and providing valuable input as well as listening to colleagues’ suggestions; reviews academic programs, budgets, and policies, and improving upon them; maintains positive relationships with other academic institutions, organizations, and the broader community within their professional field.