The term is also use for leadership positions of Communist Party organizations in state-owned enterprises, private companies, foreign-owned companies, universities, hospitals, as well as other institutions of the state.
The first-ranked deputy party chief is also the head of government of that jurisdiction.
The zhuanzhi deputy party chief is an office that carries significant weight.
Although administratively, they are half a level below the party chief and head of government (for example, a deputy provincial party chief is ranked at the sub-provincial level), they generally are seen as likely candidates to ascend to the position of head of government (and potentially, ascend even higher to party chief).
Other communist states may also have deputy party chiefs, but their organization may vary from the Chinese model.