Executive Director duties and responsibilities
Executive Directors work in a wide variety of industries, and they spend most of their time supervising others while also speaking with other executives, investors, and shareholders. They sometimes promote the organization by appearing in ads, giving speeches at conventions or other events, and speaking to members of the media. Duties and responsibilities in an Executive Director job description may include:
- Developing company growth strategies
- Planning and directing marketing or advertising campaigns
- Hiring, training, and managing department heads and other members of upper management
- Creating and giving sales presentations for potential investors
- Creating company policies that encourage transparency, good communication, customer and employee satisfaction, and high productivity
- Developing relationships with subcontractors, suppliers, and regulators for the industry
- Deciding on the company’s organizational structure, and the number of departments and employees needed
Executive Director skills and qualifications
Successful Executive Directors are polite, friendly, professional, and persuasive. They can keep track of lots of details, encourage employees to work well together and resolve conflicts, and explain benefits of products and services. Executive Directors also need extensive knowledge about the industry, the company, and its competitors. Some top skills and qualifications for Executive Directors include:
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to work under pressure and adapt quickly to unforeseen situations and events
- Excellent planning and organizational skills
- Ability to lead and motivate employees at every level
- Familiarity with social media, industry publications, and common vendors and subcontractors
- Ability to make and follow a budget
- Ability to analyze and interpret sales statistics
Executive Director experience requirements
Executive Directors need at least two or three years of senior management experience in the same industry to be successful. You may also prefer candidates who worked as an Executive Director for another company, but industry knowledge is highly important for this role. Senior managers possess transferrable skills that prepare them to work as an Executive Director, and you can choose to hire from within your own business.
Executive Director education and training requirements
Look for Executive Director candidates with a bachelor’s degree in public relations, marketing, business administration, or a field related to the industry in which you operate. As it is a high-level and public-facing position, you may prefer people with a master’s of business administration (MBA).
Executive Director salary expectations
According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for an Executive Director in Canada is $71,953 per year. Individual pay levels depend on experience and education levels, the location, and the company.
Job description samples for similar positions
If an Executive Director isn’t exactly what you’re looking for, some other job description samples that may meet your needs include: