A superintendent is an individual that has executive oversight and administration rights, usually within an educational entity or organization. For example, many US State Departments of Education refer to their administrators as superintendents. Most school districts usually do the same. Many school superintendents are elected by a School Board. They are typically given overall responsibility for personnel selection and appointment, preparation of operating budgets, and implementation of school policies and regulations.

Superintendent (Supt.) is also a rank in the British police. It is senior to Chief Inspector and junior to Chief Superintendent.

Superintendent is also used by the U.S. Air Force as the title of the NCOIC(Noncommissioned Officer in Charge) of a section, flight, staff agency, directorate, or like organization. These positions are assigned to senior noncommissioned officers (NCOs) as opposed to the titles NCOIC, held by junior NCOs, and Chief or Director, which is assigned to commissioned officers as the head of the section.