Chief executive

Professions Published

A chief executive is a public official who manages and develops a municipality, its administration and finances and exercises the right to speak on behalf of the municipal board. The chief executive is subordinate to the municipal board. The chief executive is also often present at various representation events. The profession requires knowledge of municipal administration as well as management, presentation and interaction skills.

Municipalities and cities.

Browse job postings: Chief executive

The chief executive needs excellent management skills as well as experience and knowledge of municipal administration. The chief executive must have a good understanding of all aspects of municipal administration, such as economy, the social and health care sector and environment. The profession requires interest in developing the city, participating in politics and acting in a managerial position.

Good interaction skills, organisational capacity, responsibility and systematic approach are important attributes for a chief executive. The professional must cope well with stress and act consistently even in a hurry and under pressure. The chief executive must be able to react quickly to changing situations.

The profession requires good performance and speech skills. Excellent communication skills are also important.

Chief executives have different educational backgrounds, but studies in administrative sciences, economics or law are useful in the chief executive’s position. At the Tampere University, it is possible to become a Master of Administrative Sciences in municipal and regional management.

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The qualification requirements for chief executives can be decided upon on a municipality-specific basis, but a master’s degree is often required.

Median salary

7373 €/mo

The data is based on the median income, meaning the amount of salary which is the middle of the salary amounts arranged in order of magnitude.

Source: Statistics Finland's structural statistics on wages and salaries

Professional fields