What does an Executive Director do?
Executive Directors are responsible for all the activities or operations in a company. They provide strategic direction and perform quality assurance while ensuring programmes run efficiently. They also ensure staff align themselves with the company’s goals, implement company-wide policies, allocate the resources of the company, develop a market strategy and provide constructive feedback to management. Executive Directors are required to report the company’s progress regularly to the board of directors.
Executive Director skills and qualifications
Executive Directors need a range of skills and qualifications to perform their job effectively. A successful Executive Director candidate will have various prerequisite skills and qualifications that typically include:
- Firm grasp of leadership and management principles
- Proven ability to work with committees and board of directors
- Strategic decision-making skills with exceptional communication and presentation skills
- Teamwork skills and the ability to act as the public face of the company
- Commercial awareness and innovative approach to business development
- Strong resource capacity planning and prioritisation skills
Executive Director experience requirements
An Executive Director must have at least 10 years of experience in a senior management role in a non-profit or corporate environment, steering the business and providing strategic leadership. A background in finance, operations or human resources is desirable. They should also have experience developing and delivering tactical and strategic plans.
Executive Director education and training requirements
Executive Directors must have a bachelor’s in business administration, human resources, finance or a relevant field. Some companies prefer candidates with a master’s or doctorate degree. Some companies provide development programmes or training within their organisation for a candidate’s advancement. While it’s not usually required, some Executive Directors need to hold professional certification in a specific area of management, depending on the company’s requirements or their job duties.
Executive Director salary expectations
According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary of an Executive Director in the UK is £34,263 per year. This figure varies depending on several factors, including the company, complexity of the job and geographical location.
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