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How to hire a general director

General director hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring general directors in the United States:

  • In the United States, the median cost per hire a general director is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new general director to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire a general director, step by step

To hire a general director, you should clearly understand the skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate, and allocate a budget for the position. You will also need to post and promote the job opening to reach potential candidates. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire a general director:

Here's a step-by-step general director hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write a general director job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new general director
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a general director do?

A general director is required to oversee all the business operations of their company, including its financial performance and investments. Part of a general director's job is to supervise executives and delegate work to them. They may also be required to assess problematic situations and developments and resolve them. Moreover, they must ensure that their company is constantly moving towards both its long-term and short-term goals.

Learn more about the specifics of what a general director does
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    First, determine the employments status of the general director you need to hire. Certain general director roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    Hiring the perfect general director also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

    The following list breaks down different types of general directors and their corresponding salaries.

    Type of General DirectorDescriptionHourly rate
    General Director$33-82
    Director Training & EducationA director of training education spearheads and oversees the training programs of an organization. They primarily set goals, manage budgets, establish timelines, coordinate with experts in developing curricula, and liaise with internal and external parties, building positive relationships along the way... Show more$21-52
    Vice President & General ManagerA vice president and general manager's role is to implement policies and regulations while overseeing the business operations. Typically, it is their primary responsibility to devise training programs that would produce more efficient workforce members, create new strategies to boost sales and customer satisfaction, and participate in budget and goals creation... Show more$51-131
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Digital Marketing
    • SEO
    • Lead Generation
    • Marketing Campaigns
    • ROI
    • HubSpot
    • CRM
    • Content Marketing
    • Portfolio
    • Email Marketing
    • Content Syndication
    • Integrated Marketing
    • Financial Statements
    • Business Development
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Manage business start-up from formation including development of business and marketing plans, equipment selection/installation, staffing, and product offerings.
    • Maintain all payroll records for administrative and artistic staff.
    • Maintain portfolio of donors to increase relationships and donor revenue.
    • Assemble a team of direct marketing professionals to develop an integrate CRM solution.
    • Develop core-satellite portfolio compose of 3 fund of funds and 28 direct hedge fund investments.
    • Assist in the creation of a payroll distribution database used after the elimination of the mainframe.
    More general director duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your general director job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A general director salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

    For example, the average salary for a general director in Minnesota may be lower than in California, and an entry-level general director usually earns less than a senior-level general director. Additionally, a general director with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

    Average general director salary

    $109,550yearly

    $52.67 hourly rate

    Entry-level general director salary
    $69,000 yearly salary
    Updated January 14, 2026

    Average general director salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1California$158,400$76
    2Utah$120,405$58
    3District of Columbia$120,173$58
    4Wisconsin$115,083$55
    5Texas$110,774$53
    6Massachusetts$109,731$53
    7Virginia$107,360$52
    8Georgia$106,296$51
    9Washington$104,334$50
    10Pennsylvania$92,462$44
    11Illinois$88,832$43
    12Florida$78,313$38

    Average general director salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1Regeneron$177,883$85.524
    2Publicis Sapient$149,760$72.00
    3Northrop Grumman$136,375$65.566
    4Finlay$132,476$63.69
    5Northwestern Medicine$131,052$63.01
    6Erickson Senior Living$122,017$58.662
    7Mount Sinai Health System$117,438$56.463
    8Confluence$110,388$53.072
    9Novo$107,879$51.861
    10Art of Problem Solving$107,571$51.721
    11University of Wisconsin Foundation$106,004$50.96
    12Optum$104,038$50.02
    13National Conference of State Legislatures$100,291$48.22
    14Prince William County$60,042$28.87
  4. Writing a general director job description

    A general director job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a general director job description:

    General director job description example

    Job DescriptionDirector of General Assembly Planning

    1. Coordinates, on behalf of the Stated Clerk, the planning and execution of the biennial General Assembly of the PC(U.S.A.). Works closely with the Stated Clerk, staff of OGA, other agencies and entities, and other groups who participate in the various aspects of the General Assembly. Provides leadership for the continued reshaping general assemblies that build a Christian community of prayer, worship, study and reflection, engage the broader community, and enable better processes for discerning the mind of Christ by the church.
    1. Assists the Stated Clerk, Deputy Stated Clerk, and the Office of the General Assembly to understand the broader context of the business of the General Assembly and trends that may exist. Ability to understand the intricacies of current assembly processes while being able to envision and enact new ways of conducting the assembly’s business and bringing greater equity to the whole of the assembly.
    1. Ensures the provision of meeting services to committees, special committees, and commissions of the General Assembly, as well as denominational events as appropriate. Explores, initiates, and implements agreements to provide meeting services to other entities as possible.
    1. In partnership with the Moderator of the General Assembly and the Stated Clerk, works to interpret the work of the General Assembly and its purpose for the whole church (G-3.05 from the Book of Order ).
    1. Represents the Stated Clerk in work with local groups of the host presbytery and city. Works to foster greater connection and relationship between the denomination, the city and the presbytery that serves as host.
    1. Leads the Assembly Planning Team by fostering a collaborative and creative environment that aligns with the vision, values, and mission of OGA. Builds and leads teams to plan and execute various aspects of the assembly.
    1. Ensures the list of business to be referred is delivered to the Stated Clerk, and once approved submitted to the Committee on Business Referral or the Committee on Bills and Overtures. Also ensures that the distribution of referrals to General Assembly agencies of actions taken by the General Assembly, both during the assembly session and between them.
    1. Coordinates the selection of assembly committee leaders, as well as personnel needed for the assembly, including volunteers, committee leadership, and staff roles while at the assembly.
    1. In partnership with the Deputy Stated Clerk, works with the Committee on the Office of the General Assembly to ensure appropriate governance and policy decisions related to the assembly.
    1. Serves as a primary point of coordination with the Presbyterian Mission Agency and other assembly agencies in handling the planning and coordination of the General Assembly.

    Education: Graduate degree required – MBA, MPA or similar, or an MDIV paired with relevant experience. If an MDIV degree, preference for degree from a Presbyterian seminary.

    Skills, experience and competencies: A strong Christian faith, a deep commitment to and active ministry in both the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the church ecumenical, and a passion for the gospel are essential qualities for the person to be selected for this position. The position requires a person who is a Teaching Elder or a Ruling Elder in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Five to seven years’ experience in executive leadership service, articulating a vision for the work of the General Assembly and the importance of gathering the community together to discern the mind of Christ. Capacity to analyze and understand the finances of the assembly and the impact that an assembly has on a city and region and can work to leverage those impacts for the benefit of the denomination. Ability to utilize project management skills in order to lead teams and accomplish the work.

    The Office of the General Assembly seeks applicants who value difference and the benefits to be derived from working with a broad range of people. Ability to work in a consultative and collaborative style within and across agencies, councils, and entity lines. Demonstrated cultural proficiency. Ability to effectively manage interpersonal relationships. Fluency in English and excellent communication skills. A thorough knowledge of the mission, polity, systems, and structure of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Able to use current technology.

    Sensory or Physical Requirements: Ability to sit for extended periods of time. Ability to travel to meetings, conferences, and the biennial General Assembly. Ability to transport computer and other technological equipment.

    Desired Qualifications: Fluency in Spanish and/or Korean.



    The national offices of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) , based in Louisville Kentucky, serve with mid-councils, congregations, worshipping communities, and partner organizations to carry forth the mission of Jesus Christ. Approximately 400 individuals, diverse in race, age, gender, sexual orientation, faith, skills, and more, come together as colleagues to work for a world where justice reigns, peace prevails, and God’s love extends to all people. This community comprises the staff of several national entities: the Office of the General Assembly, Presbyterian Investment and Loan Corporation, the Presbyterian Mission Agency, the Presbyterian Publishing Corporation, Presbyterian Women, and the Administrative Services Group.

    BASIC FUNCTION: This position calls for a commitment to Jesus Christ and to the Christian faith, as well as a commitment to the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) as noted in its theological confessions, the Book of Order , and the actions of the General Assembly.

    The Director demonstrates a commitment to continue to dismantle white supremacy, sexism and racism in the Office of the General Assembly and the PC(U.S.A.). The position fosters collaboration, innovation and openness with colleagues, constituents, and the wider church. It calls for servant leadership with an open and consultative operating style with colleagues in and beyond the Office of the General Assembly, guided by the goals set for the planning, execution, and review of the biennial General Assembly and sharing leadership in establishing and carrying out advanced planning for meetings and future assemblies.



    We believe a balanced life, with time for work, leisure, and spiritual nurture, makes us healthier and more productive colleagues at the Presbyterian Center.

    The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) offers a competitive benefits package for eligible employees including Medical, Dental, Pension Plan, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Flexible Spending accounts, 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan, Vacation Days, Sick Days, and Paid Holidays.

    Presbyterian Church (USA) is committed to being not only an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer as defined by the U.S. government,
    but with the inclusion of gender identity and sexual orientation as well.

    Candidates from Presbyterian communities in the global south and other historic Presbyterian Communities of Color,
    preferably with theological training and fluency in languages other than English, are encouraged to apply.


  5. Post your job

    To find the right general director for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

    • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with general directors they would recommend.
    • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit general directors who meet your education requirements.
    • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your general director job on Zippia to find and recruit general director candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    Your first interview with general director candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

    You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new general director

    Once you have selected a candidate for the general director position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

    It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

    To prepare for the new general director first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

  8. Go through the hiring process checklist

    • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
    • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
    • Define job responsibilities and requirements
    • Establish budget and timeline
    • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
    • Write job description
    • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
    • Promote the job internally
    • Process applications through applicant tracking system
    • Review resumes and cover letters
    • Shortlist candidates for screening
    • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
    • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
    • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
    • Conduct background checks on top candidates
    • Check references of top candidates
    • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
    • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
    • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
    • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
    • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
    • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
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How much does it cost to hire a general director?

Hiring a general director comes with both the one-time cost per hire and ongoing costs. The cost of recruiting general directors involves promoting the job and spending time conducting interviews. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider the cost of general director recruiting as well the ongoing costs of maintaining the new employee.

You can expect to pay around $109,550 per year for a general director, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for general directors in the US typically range between $33 and $82 an hour.

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