Richard Arnold will replace Ed Woodward as Manchester United's most senior executive on 1 February.
Woodward stated his intention to leave his role as executive vice-chairman last spring amid the fallout from the doomed European Super League project.
Arnold, 50, joined United in August 2007 and has been the club's managing director since 2013.
He will become chief executive in a change of title from Woodward.
"I would like to thank Ed for his tireless work on behalf of Manchester United during his nine years as executive vice-chairman and 16 years with the club," said United co-chairman Joel Glazer.