WHAT DOES AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DO?
Published: Jun 4, 2025 - The Executive Director provides strategic leadership to align the organization’s vision with effective operational execution, ensuring sound structures, human resources practices, and financial oversight. This role oversees fundraising initiatives, stakeholder engagement, and external communications to strengthen relationships with funders, community partners, and the public. The director drives the development and implementation of inclusive, equity-centered programs that reflect community needs and deliver measurable outcomes.
A Review of Professional Skills and Functions for Executive Director
1. Executive Director Duties
- Board Collaboration: Work with the Board of Directors to fulfill the organizational mission.
- Effective Communication: Communicate effectively with the Board and provide, in a timely and accurate manner, all information necessary for the Board to function properly and make informed decisions.
- Board Engagement: Report to and work closely with the Board of Directors to seek their involvement in policy decisions, fundraising, and increasing the organization’s visibility.
- Fundraising Strategy: Responsible for fundraising and developing resources necessary to support playgroundNYC’s mission and maintain the organization’s financial health.
- Financial Reporting: Responsible for the fiscal integrity of playgroundNYC, including submitting monthly financial statements to the Board that accurately reflect the financial condition of the organization.
- Budget Oversight: Responsible for fiscal management that anticipates operating within the approved budget and ensures maximum resource utilization.
- Budget Planning: Plan and implement an annual budget, create project-specific budgets, manage banking and bookkeeping, and work with an accountant for tax compliance.
- Program Development: Work with the Board and staff to fulfill the organization’s mission through programs, strategic planning, and community outreach.
- Mission Implementation: Implement programs that carry out playgroundNYC’s mission.
- Strategic Planning: Develop strategic goals to ensure playgroundNYC can successfully deliver its mission.
- Community Engagement: Strengthen playgroundNYC’s reputation and influence by being active in the community and collaborating with professional, civic, and private organizations.
- Public Representation: Serve as playgroundNYC’s primary spokesperson to constituents, the media, and the general public.
- Grant Writing: Research and apply for grants supporting playgroundNYC’s work.
- Operations Management: Responsible for the effective administration of playgroundNYC’s operations and resources.
- Staff Management: Hire and retain competent, qualified staff and establish employment and administrative policies for daily operations.
- Marketing Oversight: Oversee marketing and other communications efforts, including social media.
- Contract Review: Review and approve contracts for services.
- Legal Compliance: Manage insurance and ensure compliance with legal nonprofit requirements.
- Regulatory Compliance: Ensure compliance with all relevant nonprofit regulations and maintain adequate insurance while allowing bold programming choices.
- HR Coordination: Manage HR, including supervising staff and interns, writing employment contracts, ensuring training and certification, and handling payroll reporting.
2. Executive Director Details
- Mission Alignment: Ensure that policy and practice align with the mission of Catherine Morrill Day Nursery, affirming service excellence
- Service Improvement: Support the implementation of CMDN’s mission by continuously improving services to children, families, staff, and the community
- Policy Development: Develop and monitor policies following NAEYC accreditation standards and State of Maine licensing requirements
- Facility Compliance: Monitor the maintenance of the facility for safety and compliance
- Public Representation: Positively represent the organization, mission goals, philosophies, and policies to parents, staff, and the community
- Program Evaluation: Manage and implement program evaluation
- Childcare Quality: Ensure developmentally appropriate care and education
- Financial Oversight: Ensure that CMDN is in excellent fiscal order and that systems of accountability are in place
- Grant Management: Write and manage all local, state, and federal grants/contracts including outcome reporting
- Budget Monitoring: Develop the annual budget and monitor monthly financial statements and balance sheet in collaboration with the Board’s Finance Committee and contract bookkeeper
- Procurement Oversight: Oversee building operations and purchase educational, food, administration, and consumable supplies
- Labor Systems: Implement labor management systems that meet legal and ethical requirements
- Team Building: Promote retention and team building through regular communication, staff, and administrative meetings
- Staff Supervision: Supervise direct reports including the Program Coordinator, Office Administrator, Kitchen Manager, and Contract Bookkeeper
3. Executive Director Responsibilities
- Operations Oversight: Provides oversight of day-to-day operations with a staff of 5 and many volunteers
- Team Leadership: Builds a cohesive and empowered staff through teamwork and mentorship
- Financial Management: Practices sound financial management and leadership in fundraising and development
- Strategic Planning: Plans short and long-range strategies to anticipate future program and service needs
- Membership Strategy: Shapes strategies to increase membership and member satisfaction
- Marketing Oversight: Oversees marketing and communications
- Volunteer Management: Ensures the continued success of the robust volunteer program
- Leadership Development: Develops strategies for the next generation of leadership
- External Relations: Maintains and develops external collaborations with local organizations that share similar or complementary missions
4. Executive Director Job Summary
- Board Coordination: Interface with the CAN Board of Directors and organize and lead the Board meetings
- Stakeholder Communication: Communicate with the leadership team of IEED and Development as well as the University’s sole member of the CAN LLC (Vice Chancellor of Finance) and the department
- Funding Oversight: Oversee the long-term funding plan and CAN Endowment program that will lead to self-sustainability
- Investor Management: Recruit and manage a large base of SEC-accredited, early-stage investors with ties to UNC
- Deal Flow Management: Manage a large and steady flow of qualified, early-stage investment opportunities
- Syndicate Development: Develop syndicate partnerships with local and regional venture capital firms and angel groups
- Alumni Engagement: Participate in the ACA program that connects the 50 university alumni angel networks around the country
- Mentorship Oversight: Oversee the mentor program that connects the network of experienced CAN members with the leaders of the pipeline and portfolio companies
- Investment Facilitation: Facilitate the investment process from initial screening to due diligence to closing
- Deal Communication: Understand and communicate to the potential investors the pluses and minuses of the legal terms and conditions of the deal
- Operations Supervision: Supervise the marketing and operations of the network and the program
5. Executive Director Accountabilities
- Operations Management: Manages, coordinates, and evaluates center operations
- Strategic Planning: Developing and implementing goals, objectives, activities, and strategic initiatives
- Regulatory Compliance: Ensures program compliance with applicable rules and regulations
- Board Collaboration: Works with the center Board of Directors to identify, organize and facilitate programming
- Team Supervision: Plans, organizes, assigns, reviews, evaluates and directs the work of Center staff and volunteers
- Staff Oversight: Supervises staff and volunteers to include prioritizing and assigning work, conducting performance evaluations
- Training Assurance: Ensuring staff are trained, ensuring that employees follow policies and procedures
- Staffing Decisions: Making hiring, termination, and disciplinary recommendations
- Reporting Management: Prepares, compiles and maintains all reports, records, and other required documents
- Program Evaluation: Evaluates center services and programs and recommends improvements
- Policy Review: Reviews and recommends policies and procedural changes
- Communication Oversight: Manages all Center communication and promotion efforts
- Outreach Coordination: Oversees all Center outreach efforts
- Grant Reporting: Prepares periodic statistical reports about grants, center activities and programs
- Program Knowledge: Maintains current knowledge of trends and advancements in program planning and implementation
- Community Representation: Represent the Elderly Commission in meetings with business and professional organizations, community groups and the public
- Performance Monitoring: Ensures the Center is performing according to strategic and operational goals
- Program Inquiry Handling: Handles questions regarding the Center programs available for older adults
- Policy Enforcement: Ensures staff are properly trained and follow policies and procedures
- Confidentiality Compliance: Complies with the City of Boston Policies/Procedures protecting client information and the confidentiality of the information by the Federal and State regulations
6. Executive Director Functions
- Systems Design: Design and implement systems and processes that produce results
- Team Development: Recruit, train, and develop a team that produces a great culture
- Operational Excellence: Maintain operational excellence in all areas
- Staff Relations: Build positive rapport with staff
- Relationship Management: Maintain a strong balance of relationships and results
- Business Oversight: Care for and oversee the business, people, and metrics
- Workplace Culture: Create a positive atmosphere for staff and guests
- Performance Accountability: Hold the Leadership Team and Team Members accountable to Chick-fil-A standards
- Leadership Coordination: Meet regularly with the Operator and Leadership Team
7. Executive Director Job Description
- Institution Management: Cooperate with the Headmaster to ensure a well-functioning and attractive educational institution
- Board Communication: Direct dialogue with the Board and participation in Board meetings
- Strategic Planning: Contribute to the definition and fulfillment of the school’s mission and strategy
- Facility Planning: Identify and implement, together with a team, a sustainable real estate solution for the school
- Financial Planning: Identify and implement, together with financial staff, a new sustainable financing for the school
- Regulatory Compliance: Ensure that the French School in Oslo complies with local legal, financial and administrative rules and regulations
- Process Oversight: Overall responsible for the administrative, HR and financial processes in close collaboration with the Director for Finance and Human Resources (DFRH)
- Operations Leadership: Responsible for the school’s support functions
- Team Supervision: Direct reporting lines from HR and Finance Director, Communication, IT as well as Site management
8. Executive Director Overview
- Service Strategy: Position GROW to strengthen current services of the changing population referred and explore an expansion of services that builds on expertise
- Facility Utilization: Determine and leverage the most effective use of its facilities
- Program Development: Support and strengthen existing programs for the individuals served and investigate and cultivate new opportunities
- Partnership Building: Build external relationships with peers, funders, and stakeholders to determine partnership opportunities to meet the participant needs effectively and/or staffing support
- Team Leadership: Build a culture of teamwork among staff and guide a strong leadership team
- Talent Development: Develop and implement innovative methods to recruit, retain and build the skills of staff
- Revenue Expansion: Develop funding sources to build and diversify revenue streams
9. Executive Director Details and Accountabilities
- Strategic Leadership: Provide visionary leadership to set Reach’s strategic direction
- Organizational Structuring: Propose an effective structure that enables the advancement of the organization’s mission and vision
- Planning Management: Develop long-term strategic and annual operating plans and budgets
- Board Collaboration: Ensure plans are implemented with the guidance and support of the Board of Directors
- HR Practices: Ensure sound human resources practices, including developing and maintaining correct job descriptions, clear communication of performance goals, and review processes
- Financial Oversight: Budget and track expenses, develop clear financial reporting, project accurate cash flow, and manage a contracted bookkeeper
- Fundraising Strategy: Review and update annual fundraising plans and fundraising activities, including grant writing, annual fundraising campaigns, and major gifts in collaboration with the Board and development staff
- Funder Relations: Manage, develop, and communicate with key funders
- Public Representation: Serve as the primary spokesperson, representing Reach to a broad constituency of local and national funders, government officials, community groups, and media outlets
- Media Relations: Maintain productive public relations at all times
- Stakeholder Engagement: Attend events, visit stakeholders, and represent Reach at various official functions
- Marketing Leadership: Direct messaging and marketing plans that integrate fundraising and program goals
- Program Innovation: Update the current programming model to center youth experiences, racial equity, and high-quality learning experiences in partnership with the Board and staff
- Community Input: Ensure community input is factored into program development
- Program Alignment: Ensure programs and services reflect and meet the needs of the community and students being served
- Program Delivery: Develop a plan to phase in-person, remote, and hybrid programming to connect with students, teachers, and families
- Team Facilitation: Facilitate and direct programming with staff
- Goal Setting: Set specific organizational and programmatic goals, and identify the required resources to develop assessment frameworks and measure outcomes
- Resource Allocation: Ensure a responsible and adequate allocation of funds is available to carry out the organization’s programming and staffing model
10. Executive Director Roles
- Strategic Leadership: Working in partnership with the board, staff, and communities served to provide strategic direction, insights, and vision to achieve desired outcomes, scale delivery of the mission, and deepen impact
- Program Management: Setting organizational targets and leading staff in the planning, development, implementation, evaluation, and iteration of programs that ensure impact for learners and alignment with Hack the Hood’s strategic vision and values
- Operational Oversight: Ensuring the organization has the resources, technologies, operations, and policies in place to work efficiently and meet the highest standards for strong financial controls, HR policies, and legal compliance
- Fundraising Strategy: Collaborating with the Director of Development to develop and implement a sustainable fundraising strategy that ensures Hack the Hood has the financial resources needed to implement and grow its work
- Financial Management: Ensuring strong financial management of the organization including developing the annual budget, decision-making on strategic priorities, and financial oversight
- Board Engagement: Working in partnership with the Board Executive Committee to ensure that the Board and its committees feel connected to the work, have the reporting they need to carry out their fiduciary responsibilities, and are effectively engaged to advance the mission
- Team Culture: Creating a strong, inclusive, and supportive internal culture that engages, retains, and inspires a diverse community of staff, volunteers, consultants, and community partners
- Team Leadership: Acting as an effective leader, delegator, and decision-maker for collaborative, team-wide projects, tasks, and meetings, ensuring that they are done efficiently, inclusively, and with respect
- Leadership Development: Developing future leadership within the organization by ensuring staff receive the professional development, growth opportunities, and support needed to succeed
- HR Management: Working with the HR Director to ensure that onboarding, recruitment, retention, development, and management of staff are carried out in a sound and professional manner
- Talent Acquisition: Leading the hiring strategy to ensure the organization has the right competencies in place as it grows, directly managing 3–4 reports, and leading the executive team
- Public Advocacy: Being a passionate thought leader in the community and spokesperson for Hack the Hood, who can communicate and advocate for the mission
- Stakeholder Relations: Developing and maintaining strong relationships in the sector, region, among peers, among donors, within industry associations, with the media, and more
- Partnership Development: Developing strategic partnerships and alliances that broaden Hack the Hood's reach and effectiveness