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.
Executive director responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real executive director resumes:
- 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.
- Plan frequent and diverse functions for alumni.
- Market facility to area hospitals and SNF facilities.
- Implement Eprescribing that meet CMS requirements to obtain bonus payments.
- Direct the board to establish a sub-committee structure and bylaws.
- Organize the development of a student focuse ministry in after school services.
- Establish a board of directors, write foundation s first bylaws and mission.
- Schedule pt visits in accordance with the POC as directed per the physician.
- Hope to use alumni as guest judges and speakers to motivate and aid students.
- Direct all activities for this center develop to prevent health care worker exposure to bloodborne pathogens.
Executive director skills and personality traits
We calculated that 10% of Executive Directors are proficient in Oversight, Patients, and Customer Service. They’re also known for soft skills such as Writing skills, Interpersonal skills, and Organizational skills.
We break down the percentage of Executive Directors that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Oversight, 10%
Provide management and oversight of all operations of a locally owned and operated assisted living community consisting of 72 apartments.
- Patients, 9%
Saved $600,000+ in annual physical therapy costs by optimizing military medical collaboration and spread-loading patients across system capacity.
- Customer Service, 5%
Negotiated and implemented partnerships with regional hospitals and delivered significant improvements in regulatory results, patient care and customer service outcomes.
- Financial Management, 5%
Developed financial management tools and worked with department heads in the utilization of these tools resulting in improved variable expense management.
- Business Development, 4%
Established a marketing/community relations plan that positioned the organization for enhanced public exposure and to maximize business development and growth opportunities.
- Home Health, 4%
Managed all executive functions and day-to-day operations for this membership educational foundation for providers of in-home health care and hospice services.
"oversight," "patients," and "customer service" are among the most common skills that executive directors use at work. You can find even more executive director responsibilities below, including:
Writing skills. The most essential soft skill for an executive director to carry out their responsibilities is writing skills. This skill is important for the role because "secretaries and administrative assistants write memos and emails when communicating with managers, employees, and customers." Additionally, an executive director resume shows how their duties depend on writing skills: "managed all budgeting; financial reports for audits, grant writing, monitoring for governmental audit requirements. "
Interpersonal skills. Another essential skill to perform executive director duties is interpersonal skills. Executive directors responsibilities require that "secretaries and administrative assistants interact with clients, customers, or staff." Executive directors also use interpersonal skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "worked with patients on developmental and interpersonal skills as set for in treatment procedures. "
Organizational skills. This is an important skill for executive directors to perform their duties. For an example of how executive director responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "secretaries and administrative assistants keep files, folders, and schedules in order so that an office runs efficiently." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of an executive director: "identified and recruited board of directors and advisory board members, and educated professional industry leaders to effectively promote organizational initiatives. ".
The three companies that hire the most executive directors are:
- Bausch + Lomb415 executive directors jobs
- JPMorgan Chase & Co.387 executive directors jobs
- Brookdale Senior Living96 executive directors jobs
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Compare different executive directors
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.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, executive director responsibilities require skills like "customer service," "financial management," "home health," and "state regulations." Meanwhile a typical chief of staff has skills in areas such as "pet," "team support," "good judgment," and "marketing campaigns." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Chiefs of staff really shine in the start-up industry with an average salary of $135,040. Comparatively, executive directors tend to make the most money in the finance industry with an average salary of $153,889.On average, chiefs of staff reach similar levels of education than executive directors. Chiefs of staff are 1.7% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 2.3% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Executive director vs. Chief operating officer
A chief operating officer, also known as a COO, is a high-ranking official who oversees a company or organization's daily administrative and overall operations. They are typically the second in the chain of command, reporting directly to the company's chief executive officer, also known as a CEO. Among their duties include developing strategies and guidelines, reviewing reports, performing assessments, and implementing the company's policies, standards, and regulations. Additionally, they lead and empower staff to reach goals, helping solve issues and concerns when any arise.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, executive director responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "patients," "home health," "state regulations," and "project management." Meanwhile, a chief operating officer has duties that require skills in areas such as "healthcare," "business strategies," "revenue growth," and "r." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
On average, chief operating officers earn a higher salary than executive directors. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, chief operating officers earn the most pay in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $150,784. Whereas executive directors have higher pay in the finance industry, with an average salary of $153,889.In general, chief operating officers achieve similar levels of education than executive directors. They're 0.7% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 2.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Executive director vs. Vice president of programming
A vice president of programming is responsible for organizing schedules and negotiating contracts with media producers of networks to release advertisements and other related campaigns for business operations. Vice presidents of programming handle the technical aspect of the creative operations and ensure the stability and efficient performance of network systems to deliver high-quality functions. They also manage the budget and resource allocation, review project management procedures, coordinate with clients, and assist the team in achieving operational goals.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, executive directors are more likely to have skills like "patients," "customer service," "financial management," and "home health." But a vice president of programming is more likely to have skills like "portfolio," "program management," "lean six sigma," and "risk management."
Vice president of programmings earn the highest salary when working in the finance industry, where they receive an average salary of $137,521. Comparatively, executive directors have the highest earning potential in the finance industry, with an average salary of $153,889.When it comes to education, vice president of programmings tend to earn lower degree levels compared to executive directors. In fact, they're 5.7% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 1.7% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Executive director vs. Director, special projects
The primary responsibility of a director of special projects is to ensure the successful conclusion of construction-related projects. Special project directors lead, organize, and perform corporate projects outside their duties. They utilize project management, business process management, and change management disciplines for timely and cost-effective initiatives delivery. It is part of their responsibilities to collaborate with business leaders and entrepreneurs to perform corporate programs and initiatives. They also manage process enhancements and various special programs.
Types of executive director
Updated January 8, 2025
