Key Takeaways

  • The owner of a single-member LLC is generally called a “member,” but you can choose a professional title (e.g., Owner, Managing Member, CEO) for clarity in business dealings.
  • Titles for single-member LLCs can reflect management style, industry norms, and personal branding, but they should not imply unearned credentials or regulated licenses.
  • Corporate-style officer titles (CEO, CFO, COO) can enhance credibility and help external parties understand your role, even though they are not legally required.
  • Documenting chosen titles in the LLC’s operating agreement ensures clarity on authority and responsibilities.
  • State reporting requirements may require listing certain titles in official filings, especially for officers with signing authority.

LLC officers titles are ownership titles for members operating an LLC. An LLC can operate as either a single-member (one person) or multi-member (two or more) LLC. There are many titles that LLC officers can have, some of which are interchangeable. Usually, a single-member LLC is managed by the single-member whereas the multi-member LLC is managed by an outside manager, particularly if the multi-member LLC is very large. However, for small businesses that operate multi-member LLCs, all members usually participate in the daily oversight and management of the LLC. While a single-member LLC usually manages the LLC him or herself, the single-member can in fact hire another manager if the member simply doesn’t have the time to oversee the daily operations of the business.

Titles for Top Management in an LLC

If you are the owner of an LLC, then there are many different titles that you can give yourself. You can call yourself a CEO, President, Treasurer, Secretary, Vice President, or any other name that is appropriate. There are no laws requiring that you choose a title for yourself. But if you do decide that you want to pick a title, choose one that is not only appropriate but also allows potential clients and business vendors to fully understand what your role is within the LLC. However, you can’t choose a title that would imply you have a license that you have not actually obtained, i.e. “Esq” if you are not a licensed attorney, “MD” if you are not a doctor, etc. While there is flexibility in terms of choosing your title, keep in mind that there are some state requirements for members with particular roles in the LLC.

Choosing the Right Title for a Single-Member LLC

For a single-member LLC, you have wide latitude in selecting a professional title. Legally, you are simply the “member” of the LLC, but this may not clearly convey your role to clients, banks, or vendors. Many owners choose titles that balance accuracy, professionalism, and branding, such as:

  • Owner – A straightforward choice that avoids confusion but may sound less formal in corporate contexts.
  • Managing Member – Highlights both ownership and management responsibilities; a popular choice for single-member LLCs.
  • President or CEO – Suitable for businesses that want to project a corporate image, especially when interacting with investors or larger clients.
  • Founder – Ideal for startups or creative ventures, emphasizing the business’s origin story.
  • Principal – Common in professional services, such as consulting or architecture.

When selecting a title for single-member LLC purposes, avoid any designation that suggests professional credentials you do not hold (e.g., “CPA,” “Esq.,” “MD”). The right choice depends on your target audience, industry norms, and how you want to position your business in the marketplace.

Common LLC Officer Titles and Their Functions

While LLCs are not legally required to adopt corporate-style titles, many choose to do so for clarity, professionalism, and ease in dealings with clients, investors, and banks. Common LLC officer titles include:

  • President/Chief Executive Officer (CEO): Oversees overall company operations, sets strategic direction, and represents the LLC in major decisions.
  • Vice President: Supports the president, may oversee specific departments, and steps in when the president is unavailable.
  • Treasurer/Chief Financial Officer (CFO): Manages the LLC’s finances, including budgets, financial reporting, and banking relationships.
  • Secretary: Maintains official records, meeting minutes, and ensures compliance with filing requirements.
  • Chief Operating Officer (COO): Manages day-to-day business operations and ensures operational efficiency.
  • Chief Marketing Officer (CMO): Oversees marketing strategies, branding, and public relations.

Titles can also reflect industry-specific needs (e.g., Creative Director for a design agency) and can be customized in the LLC’s operating agreement. Importantly, avoid using titles implying credentials you don’t have, such as “MD” or “Esq”.

Industry-Specific and Flexible Title Options

While traditional officer titles are common, many LLC owners—especially in creative, tech, or consulting fields—use industry-specific or hybrid titles. Examples include:

  • Creative Director – For design or media-focused companies.
  • Technical Director – For engineering or software development firms.
  • Managing Partner – For firms with a partnership-style structure.
  • Lead Consultant – For consulting businesses emphasizing expertise over hierarchy.

One advantage of the LLC structure is flexibility—you can modify titles as your business grows or shifts direction. Titles can be purely internal, but formalizing them in your operating agreement can help prevent disputes and ensure clear authority in contracts, hiring, and financial matters.

LLC Management

If you own an LLC, you are referred to as a member (as opposed to an owner, which is the title given to those owning a corporation). When you form your LLC, you will need to choose whether you are going to operate as a manager-managed or member-managed LLC. If you also manage the operations of the LLC, then you are a managing member. Therefore, this means that you have full oversight over the LLC, along with the voting power on important items; you will also have the authority to legally bind the business in contracts.

Generally, most multi-member LLCs have members who all play an active role in the management responsibilities of the LLC. However, some multi-member LLCs choose one or two members to act as managers. Therefore, in this case, the non-managing members will not have any management rights in the company, but will only have voting rights over important business items.

It is important to think about the titles of the LLC officers, which can include:

  • Owners/members
  • Managers (internal manager and external manager)
  • Investors
  • Lenders
  • Shareholders

Each title provides a different set of responsibilities. However, all the above-mentioned titles could also be members of the LLC. For example, the members (owners) could also be lenders in the LLC. Therefore, if one or more members have additional funds to lend to the LLC, then those members could also be called lenders. Similarly, all members could be managers in the LLC. Moreover, all members could invest in the LLC, and therefore, members could also be titled as managers, investors, and lenders.

When it comes to the manager’s role, a manager could be identified as an internal manager, which is someone who runs the LLC and also owns a portion of the LLC. An external manager, however, is someone who runs the LLC but does not have any ownership in the LLC.

The term ‘shareholder’ could also be used in the LLC. While this term is generally used in a corporation, shareholders in an LLC are typically members and are also often investors in the business. Shareholders could also be managers in the LLC.

With regard to very large LLCs, most are generally operated as manager-managed LLCs that hire outside managers who are non-members. The outside manager will usually be an experienced person or business that has experience in overseeing a business.

Title Use in Contracts, Banking, and Compliance

Your chosen title can influence how smoothly you conduct official business. Many banks, landlords, and vendors prefer to see familiar corporate-style titles when reviewing contracts or account applications. For example, signing as “Managing Member” or “CEO” can make it clear you have authority to bind the company.

In some states, you may need to list officer titles in your Articles of Organization or annual report, particularly for those authorized to sign legal or financial documents. Aligning your public filings, internal records, and business communications avoids confusion and potential challenges to your authority.

How Officer Titles Fit Into LLC Management Structures

The decision to adopt officer titles often depends on whether the LLC is member-managed or manager-managed:

  • Member-Managed LLCs: All members typically share management responsibilities. Officer titles here are more about role clarity than legal authority.
  • Manager-Managed LLCs: Designated managers—who may be members or non-members—handle daily operations. Officer titles can be used to clearly define these roles for internal and external purposes.

Key considerations when assigning LLC officer titles:

  1. Document in the Operating Agreement: This ensures clarity of duties and authority, helping prevent internal disputes.
  2. Assign Authority Appropriately: The scope of authority tied to each title should be clearly outlined—e.g., who can sign contracts, approve budgets, or hire staff.
  3. Consider External Perception: Banks, vendors, and investors often prefer interacting with officers whose titles they recognize from corporate structures.
  4. Flexibility in Appointments: Titles and roles can be changed as the business grows or shifts direction.

Some states may require disclosure of certain officers when filing annual reports, especially if they are responsible for signing legal documents. Always verify your state’s requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is the default title for a single-member LLC owner?
    The default legal title is “member,” but you can adopt other professional titles for business purposes.
  2. Can I call myself CEO of my LLC?
    Yes, as long as it does not mislead others or imply unearned professional credentials.
  3. Should my LLC title appear in contracts?
    Yes, using your formal title in contracts clarifies your authority to act on behalf of the LLC.
  4. Are titles required for a single-member LLC?
    No, titles are not legally required, but they can help with professionalism and business operations.
  5. Can I change my LLC title later?
    Yes, you can change your title at any time, but update your operating agreement and notify relevant parties.

If you need help learning more about the various titles for LLC officers, or if you help determining if you should operate as a manager-managed or member-managed LLC, you can post your legal need on UpCounsel’s marketplace. UpCounsel accepts only the top 5 percent of lawyers to its site. Lawyers on UpCounsel come from law schools such as Harvard Law and Yale Law and average 14 years of legal experience, including work with or on behalf of companies like Google, Menlo Ventures, and Airbnb.