Vice president facts for kids

A vice president is an important helper to a president. Think of them as the president's main assistant. They work closely with the president to get things done. If the president isn't able to do their job for any reason, the vice president steps in and takes over.

The word "vice" comes from Latin and means "in place of." So, a vice president is someone who acts "in place of" the president when needed. This role exists in many places, like business companies and governments. In a company, a vice president is usually a high-ranking manager, just below the president or CEO. In some countries, a vice president might be called a deputy president.

What Does a Vice President Do?

A vice president has many responsibilities, depending on where they work.

In Government

In a government, like in the United States, the vice president is the second-highest official. They are ready to become president if the current president resigns, is removed from office, or passes away. They also often have other duties, such as leading certain government meetings or representing their country on trips abroad.

In Business Companies

In a business, there can be many vice presidents. They usually lead different departments or areas of the company. For example, there might be a Vice President of Sales, a Vice President of Marketing, or a Vice President of Finance. Each one is in charge of their specific area and reports to a higher-level executive, like the company's president or CEO. In British English, a vice president in a business is often called a director.

Different Kinds of Vice Presidents

Just like there are different levels of managers in a company, there can be different levels of vice presidents. Some common titles you might hear include:

• Executive Vice President (EVP): This is usually a very senior role, often in charge of a large part of a company.
• Senior Vice President (SVP): This is also a high-level position, often leading a major division or team.
• Assistant Vice President (AVP): This role is usually a bit lower than a Senior Vice President but still important, often managing specific projects or smaller teams.

These different titles help show how much responsibility a vice president has within an organization.

Images for kids

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  A robot helping out, like a vice president helps a president.