Cope with resources first, being executive (7)
I believe the answer is:
manager
'being executive' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'cope with resources first' is the wordplay.
'cope with' becomes 'manage' (I've seen this in another clue).
'resources first' becomes 'r' (1st letter of 'resources').
'manage'+'r'='MANAGER'
(Other definitions for manager that I've seen before include "Boss" , "One in charge of sports team" , "Director" , "Someone in control (or who copes?)" , "Controller of resources" .)