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What does an associate executive director do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read

An associate executive director spearheads and oversees projects and programs in an organization. Their responsibilities include setting guidelines and objectives, managing budgets and timelines, assessing the workforce's performance, coordinating with managers, researching new business opportunities, building positive relationships with potential business partners, and developing strategies to optimize overall operations. They also make decisions based on extensive research and analysis. Furthermore, an associate executive director must lead and encourage teams to reach goals, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations, developing new ones as necessary.

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Associate executive director responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real associate executive director resumes:

  • Manage paid media campaigns on Facebook & Google.
  • Facilitate negotiations for commercial, Medicaid manage care contracts to expand provider network.
  • Manage funding allocation, disbursement, and financial oversight implementing necessary accountability measures as needed.
  • Lead the facility in implementing person-centered care/hospitality philosophy, electronic medical records, maximization of Medicare reimbursement, and alternative therapies.
  • Establish and develop relationships with ERP and consulting vendors with the goal of maximizing comparative advantage and cost efficient solution development.
  • Maintain all necessary licensing and certification (ISDH, JCAHO, AAAHC, Medicare).
  • Develop marketing strategy to invite campus ministry members to event.
  • Direct the transition from exclusively private-pay to a successful joint private and Medicaid fund organization.
  • Capitalize on leadership and industry expertise to provide oversight in the implementation of policies and directives for state-wide electrical apprenticeship program.
  • Provide senior-level counseling to companies engage in e-commerce, professional services, healthcare, financial services, energy and wireless communications.
  • Acquire and apply knowledge of DOH and JCAHO regulatory requirements.
  • Utilize DOH and CMS regulations, ensure operational & clinical compliance.
  • Direct a staff of approximately 50 fte's assuring compliance through mandate training.
  • Prepare oral and written correspondence for marketing purposes, workshops, as well as for IRS tax exempt purposes.
  • Create and maintain Facebook/Twitter pages to attract customers and provide relevant updates

Associate executive director skills and personality traits

We calculated that 10% of Associate Executive Directors are proficient in Human Resources, Nursing Home, and Financial Management. They’re also known for soft skills such as Management skills, Problem-solving skills, and Communication skills.

We break down the percentage of Associate Executive Directors that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Human Resources, 10%

    Coordinated and refined existing policies and procedures and crafted a consistent and comprehensive human resources approach.

  • Nursing Home, 8%

    Fulfilled the role as the nursing home administrator for a CCRC skilled nursing facility, memory support and assistant living.

  • Financial Management, 8%

    Finance - Responsible for the financial management of the agency.

  • Direct Supervision, 6%

    Provided direct supervision to staff and volunteers, insured financial stewardship and provided collaboration with area response organizations.

  • Community Organizations, 6%

    Organized fundraisers and increased community organizational involvement.

  • Resident Satisfaction, 4%

    Maintain high degree of resident satisfaction and retention through consistent delivery of high quality services.

Most associate executive directors use their skills in "human resources," "nursing home," and "financial management" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential associate executive director responsibilities here:

Problem-solving skills. Another essential skill to perform associate executive director duties is problem-solving skills. Associate executive directors responsibilities require that "top executives need to identify and resolve issues within an organization." Associate executive directors also use problem-solving skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "facilitated the monthly executive director survival series that pointed many nonprofit executives towards positive internal conflict resolutions and professional development;. "

Communication skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of associate executive directors is communication skills. This skill is critical to many everyday associate executive director duties, as "top executives must be able to convey information clearly and persuasively." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "designed and implemented program valuation and financial reports, and electronic stewardship communications for individual giving. "

Leadership skills. associate executive director responsibilities often require "leadership skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "top executives must be able to shape and direct an organization by coordinating policies, people, and resources." This resume example shows what associate executive directors do with leadership skills on a typical day: "present hospital's financial reports on a monthly basis to the executive leadership team and community advisory board (cab). "

Time-management skills. Another common skill required for associate executive director responsibilities is "time-management skills." This skill comes up in the duties of associate executive directors all the time, as "top executives do many tasks concurrently to ensure that their work gets done and that the organization meets its goals." An excerpt from a real associate executive director resume shows how this skill is central to what an associate executive director does: "designed and implemented strategic plans and managed projects to achieve deliverables and meet deadlines. "

Most common associate executive director skills

Compare different associate executive directors

Associate executive director vs. Chief of staff

A chief of staff primarily supports an executive through performing various administrative tasks. Most of their responsibilities revolve around collaborating with other executive support personnel to devise strategies that will help the company, responding to inquiries and correspondence, approving communications letters, managing schedules, setting appointments, and serving as an advisor to the executive. Furthermore, when it comes to issues and disputes, the chief of staff must be quick to conduct research and perform damage control to help the executive and the company rise from the occasion.

We looked at the average associate executive director salary and compared it with the wages of a chief of staff. Generally speaking, chiefs of staff are paid $19,161 higher than associate executive directors per year.While their salaries may differ, the common ground between associate executive directors and chiefs of staff are a few of the skills required in each roleacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities. In both careers, employee duties involve skills like human resources, professional development, and strategic plan.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of an associate executive director are more likely to require skills like "nursing home," "financial management," "direct supervision," and "community organizations." On the other hand, a job as a chief of staff requires skills like "pet," "team support," "good judgment," and "project management." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

The education levels that chiefs of staff earn slightly differ from associate executive directors. In particular, chiefs of staff are 5.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than an associate executive director. Additionally, they're 3.5% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Associate executive director vs. Owner

Owners, in the most basic sense, own the business, company, or organization. They are responsible for building the business. They create business plans and the general vision and mission of the company, set goals, work on these goals, and ensure that the business keeps running. They manage all aspects of their business, from finances to marketing to people, etc. When the business becomes stable, owners eventually hire more employees. As such, owners also become overseers who would ensure that the organization remains afloat.

On average, owners earn a $21,340 lower salary than associate executive directors a year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both associate executive directors and owners have skills such as "human resources," "business operations," and "event planning. "

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, associate executive director responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "nursing home," "financial management," "direct supervision," and "community organizations." Meanwhile, an owner has duties that require skills in areas such as "customer service," "payroll," "financial statements," and "product development." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

Owners earn lower levels of education than associate executive directors in general. They're 17.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 3.5% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Associate executive director vs. Co-founder

A Co-Founder is an essential member of a company as they complement the skills, vision, and mission of the Founder. Most of the time, the tasks of a Co-Founder revolve around the financial planning and developing strategies that would be beneficial for the company's financial gain and workforce. Furthermore, a Co-Founder must coordinate with the Founder and other staff and departments to remain aware of the progress or issues, should there be any, to provide timely resolutions.

On average scale, co-founders bring in lower salaries than associate executive directors. In fact, they earn a $6,652 lower salary per year.associate executive directors and co-founders both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "human resources," "business operations," and "community outreach," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, associate executive directors are more likely to have skills like "nursing home," "financial management," "direct supervision," and "community organizations." But a co-founder is more likely to have skills like "financial statements," "business strategy," "business plan," and "non-profit organization."

When it comes to education, co-founders tend to earn lower degree levels compared to associate executive directors. In fact, they're 10.3% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Associate executive director vs. President

Presidents are usually the highest-level executives in an organization. They oversee the whole company. They identify clear goals and provide strategic direction as the company works towards the achievement of their overall vision. Presidents are the decision-makers in the company. They make crucial decisions to ensure that the company continues to grow and survives challenges that come their way. They are expected to consider all stakeholders, from the board of directors and employees to the customers in their decision-making process. Presidents also represent the company in external functions, especially during high-level events. As such, they are expected to be professional, well-mannered, and good communicators.

Presidents average a higher salary than the annual salary of associate executive directors. The difference is about $80,655 per year.According to resumes from associate executive directors and presidents, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "human resources," "financial management," and "professional development. "

Even though a few skill sets overlap between associate executive directors and presidents, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, an associate executive director might have more use for skills like "nursing home," "direct supervision," "community organizations," and "resident satisfaction." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of presidents require skills like "financial statements," "product development," "r," and "business development. "

In general, presidents hold lower degree levels compared to associate executive directors. Presidents are 13.6% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of associate executive director

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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