Executive Director: How to Become an Executive Director

An executive director is a full-time, senior leadership position at a corporation or nonprofit organization. Executive directors play a significant role in shepherding the company's strategic direction, staying true to and advancing the organization’s mission. Executive directors hold a lot of power and responsibility as they approve and oversee the annual budget, liaise with board members, and often act as spokespersons for the company.

Executive directors’ jobs vary based on the organization they oversee. Two of the most common types of executive director roles are:

1. 1. Corporate executive directors: At for-profit organizations, executive directors steer the company’s mission but are more concerned with sales than fundraising. These roles operate similarly to chief executive officers and, in some cases, might have the CEO title. This executive director role will build partnerships to grow the business and communicate with stakeholders who have invested in the company.
2. 2. Nonprofit executive directors: Nonprofit executives manage fundraising activities and answer to and often meet with funders or a board of directors. They will share presentations at regular board meetings to report on the health of the not-for-profit company. These directors are vital to the sustainability of museums, NGOs, theaters, and other cultural and service-oriented organizations. An executive director in the nonprofit sector may have the title of managing director.

In addition to a bachelor’s degree, an executive director should possess the following qualities:

1. 1. Commitment: Executive directors must be passionate about an organization’s work and mission, as that zeal will fuel the company’s trajectory. From a public relations standpoint, the executive director is the face of the company, so doing so with grace and enthusiasm is another crucial part of the job.
2. 2. Communication skills: Executive directors oversee business plans and critical decision-making, so it is essential to communicate any new spending or initiatives to the management teams beneath the executive director.
3. 3. Financial management skills: Managing a company’s budget is one of the most important duties for an executive director, who will oversee the accounting teams to ensure the budget is neat and organized.
4. 4. Management skills: Senior management will report to the executive director, so having the interpersonal skills to manage multiple people with distinct work functions is an innate part of the job.
5. 5. Years of experience: The type of organization will dictate what kind of experience the director should have; this may include experience in fundraising, human resources, managing teams, or working with a board of directors.

The job duties in a job description for an executive director might include the following:

1. 1. Building partnerships: To grow the company, executive leadership members build partnerships with viable companies to bring the brand to new audiences.
2. 2. Collaborating with a board: Executive directors often answer to a board of directors, including funders at nonprofits or corporate stakeholders. Executive directors inform the board of upcoming efforts, collaborating with its members to implement strategic plans.
3. 3. Develop organizational culture: At a top level, executive directors are responsible for workplace culture, setting the tone, rules, and expectations for the staff.
4. 4. Hiring senior leadership: Executive directors work alongside human resources to scout, interview, and hire top leaders who will help the company advance its mission.
5. 5. Identifying sources of investment: To build up the endowment or an organization, the executive director will find new sources for funding and investment, prolonging the company's sustainability.

Becoming an executive director takes years of experience, and many career paths can lead to this senior role. College majors in business and nonprofit management can be the first step. Then, experience managing sales teams, fundraising efforts, and company budgets are all critical skills one can gain over time to rise to an executive director role.

Working under an executive director as an assistant is another great way to gain hands-on experience. You can also become an executive director by serving on a company’s board or working with one; maintaining relationships with board members is a primary part of this director’s role. Also important is the ability to show dedication to a company—that drives a company’s mission and what all executives need to succeed.

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