The duties of an executive director can include all or most of the following, depending on the organization they are employed in:
- Planning strategies for the development or welfare of an organization. This is the foremost task of executive directors.
- Coordinating with a board of directors, president, etc., for development and implementation of strategies and programs.
- Organizational leadership is one of the most important responsibilities of an executive director where he/she has to perform the management functions at the organizational level.
- Ensure developmental programs are designed to meet organizational goals.
- Overall management of the human resources, operations and quality control departments.
- Ensure a capable management team is in place to effectively handle the work.
- Maintain records of official and confidential documents so as to have them readily available in case they need to be presented to the board of directors.
- Have clear expectations. Something many new executive directors miss is being clear about their expectations. Executive directors must work with board members to develop mutually acceptable objectives. Be clear about which objectives are essential and which ones are desirable but not that important. Expectations must be clearly stated when negotiating contracts.
- Focus on what is essential. Sometimes new executive directors want to know and immediately deal with everything about the organization, and unnecessarily put pressure on themselves. At the start you can just focus on the most important things that if not dealt with could significantly impede the organization.
- Strategically operate. Executive director jobs mean having an ultimate responsibility for the organization and will demand more time than is possible to meet at times. Have written strategic plans based on initial expectations set with the board as a guideline for focusing your efforts and gradually develop a more comprehensive strategic plan. This will help you decide how to focus your time and energy as well as that of the rest of the organization, and also help allocate resources in the most efficient and effective manner.
- Find the best balance in doing office and field work. Recognize what needs to be focused on more: internal or outside activity. Usually, a new executive director is brought in to increase an organization's visibility and productivity, which means more time in the field. Internal functions need to be focused on only if the internal situation is problematic.
- Be aware of and immediately address organizational red flags. When organizations are in leadership transitions, sometimes complacency sets in and problems or issues are not handled with urgency.
- Before making any changes to the organization, be sure to know everything there is to know about the organization. Sometimes those new to executive director jobs are very eager to make their mark and make major organizational changes that lead to major mistakes, and at the same time annoy long time board members, staff or outside constituents. If indeed change is needed, generally a gradual transition more ideal.
- Build trusting relationships with board members and staff as fast as possible. Even more important than making your mark in executive director jobs, you have to gain the trust and confidence of the people above and below you in the organization for a smoother transition.
- Communication. Transparency is essential for effective organizational leadership. Having a clear strategy holds organizations together and results in people working toward common goals. Good communication reduces the time wasted as a result of people thinking essential information is being withheld.
- Be prepared to be an assistant executive director. During leadership transition, organizations commonly place the person most likely to replace the outgoing executive director in this position. Part of the responsibility here is mostly to know just about everything about the executive director position or otherwise assist the executive director in his/her job.
