Executive director vs managing director

The differences between executive directors and managing directors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become an executive director, becoming a managing director takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a managing director has an average salary of $129,690, which is higher than the $127,956 average annual salary of an executive director.

The top three skills for an executive director include oversight, patients and customer service. The most important skills for a managing director are healthcare, portfolio, and business development.

Executive director vs managing director overview

	Executive Director	Managing Director
Yearly salary	$127,956	$129,690
Hourly rate	$61.52	$62.35
Growth rate	-8%	6%
Number of jobs	97,471	81,022
Job satisfaction	4.5	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 63%	Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Average age	49	44
Years of experience	4	6

What does an executive director do?

Executive directors are top management employees who usually function as a chief executive officer. This role is usually seen in non-profit organizations. Executive directors provide strategic direction to the organization, and they ensure that the organization's goals are actualized. They provide guidance to the employees and ensure that the employees have the organization's advocacies at the center of every project or program. They oversee the policies of the organization and create strategies that will bring the organization's programs forward. Executive directors are also responsible for making crucial decisions for the betterment of the organization.

What does a managing director do?

A Managing Director oversees workflow and progress, making sure that all operations align within the company or organization's mission or set of goals. They are responsible for crafting strategies, devising effective business plans, and executing guidelines that would nurture a company's growth, and as well as to be the driving force that would direct employees to the company's objectives. Furthermore, a Managing Director must coordinate with those in a higher position, such as the members of the board.

Executive director vs managing director salary

Executive directors and managing directors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Executive Director	Managing Director
Average salary	$127,956	$129,690
Salary range	Between $76,000 And $213,000	Between $72,000 And $233,000
Highest paying City	New York, NY	New York, NY
Highest paying state	New York	New York
Best paying company	Genentech	Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison
Best paying industry	Finance	Finance

Differences between executive director and managing director education

There are a few differences between an executive director and a managing director in terms of educational background:

	Executive Director	Managing Director
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 63%	Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Executive director vs managing director demographics

Here are the differences between executive directors' and managing directors' demographics:

	Executive Director	Managing Director
Average age	49	44
Gender ratio	Male, 47.0% Female, 53.0%	Male, 73.5% Female, 26.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 7.6% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 11.2% Asian, 5.0% White, 71.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%	Black or African American, 6.1% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.0% Asian, 6.3% White, 67.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage	10%	10%

Differences between executive director and managing director duties and responsibilities

Executive director example responsibilities.

Manage 10 department heads who supervise a staff of 350 FTE's.
Develop and manage sales teams to assure the highest ROI on the client's investment.
Create and manage a call center for lead programs to support the prospecting activity needs of the FSR.
Freelance blogging to increase website views and ultimately to turn organic content into leads and ROI for small businesses.
Market and manage group and individual insurance programs including health, life, disability, long term care and annuities.
Major accomplishment are to achieve initial NAEYC accreditation.

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Managing director example responsibilities.

Create and manage the social media presence via a festival page on Facebook.
Manage all consulting resources and have overall P/L responsibilities for the Atlanta office.
Manage the lessee and lessor relationships regarding exchange seat leases with major markets, such as NYSE, AMEX, CBOE.
Manage denials and expedite managed care appeals (reimbursement reconsideration).
Manage payroll processing for thousands of industrial temporary workers and bill respective clients.
Manage the Ketera SaaS relationship for IBM with engagement development and profitability responsibilities.

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Executive director vs managing director skills

Common executive director skills

Oversight, 10%
Patients, 9%
Customer Service, 5%
Financial Management, 5%
Business Development, 4%
Home Health, 4%

Common managing director skills

Healthcare, 7%
Portfolio, 7%
Business Development, 6%
Oversight, 6%
Project Management, 5%
Customer Service, 5%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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