While Executive officer literally refers to a person responsible for the performance of duties involved in running an organization, the exact meaning of the role is highly variable, depending on the organization. An organization or organisation (read more about -ize vs -ise) is a formal group of people with one or more shared goals. ...

In many militaries, an Executive Officer (XO) is the second-in-command, reporting to the Commanding Officer (CO). The XO is typically responsible for the management of day-to-day activities, freeing the commander to concentrate on planning the unit's next move. The XO also takes charge in the absence of the commander, and the position is frequently a stepping stone to a command position. The term is not used in the British Army, in which the designation Second-in-Command (2i/c) is used as a formal appointment. In smaller ships of the Royal Navy (such as submarines and frigates), the Executive Officer also holds the position of First Lieutenant and is usually referred to as such. In larger ships, in which he holds the rank of Commander, he is usually referred to simply as "the Commander". The XO heads the Executive Department. In military organizations, the commanding officer (CO) is the officer in command of a military unit. ... The British Army is the land armed forces branch of the British Armed Forces. ... The Second-in-Command (2i/c) is the deputy commander of any British Army unit, from battalion or regiment downwards. ... The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom is the senior service of the British armed services, being the oldest of its three branches. ... German UC-1 class World War I submarine A model of Gunter Priens Unterseeboot 47 (U-47), German WWII Type VII diesel-electric hunter-killer (SSK) submarine Typhoon class ballistic-missile carrying (SSBN) submarine, compared to a man USS Virginia, a Virginia-class nuclear attack (SSN) submarine A submarine... Frigate is a name which has been used for several distinct types of warships at different times. ... First Lieutenant is a military rank. ... Insignia of a United States Navy Commander Commander is a military rank used in many navies but not generally in armies or air forces. ...

In business, the executive officers are the top officers of a corporation, the chief executive officer (CEO) being the best-known type. The definition varies; for instance, the California Corporate Disclosure Act defines "executive officers" as the five most highly-compensated officers not also sitting on the board of directors. Wall Street, Manhattan In economics, business refers to the social science of managing people to organize and maintain collective productivity toward accomplishing particular creative and productive goals. ... A chief executive officer (CEO) or chief executive is the highest-ranking corporate officer or executive officer of a corporation, company, or agency. ... It has been suggested that Board of Trustees be merged into this article or section. ...

In government, "executive officer" may be anyone with decision-making responsibility in the executive branch of the government. In the British and Irish civil services, it is a junior administrative grade. Under the doctrine of the separation of powers, the executive is the branch of a government charged with implementing, or executing, the law. ... The civil service (an stát-sheirbhís in Irish) of the Republic of Ireland consists of two broad components, the Civil Service of the Government and the Civil Service of the State. ...