Leadership role
Executive Director / CEO
The top staff executive, accountable to the board for the organization's mission, strategy, finances and operations.
Reporting and scope
Reports to the board of directors, usually through the board chair. Authority covers the entire organization.
Core responsibilities
- Leads strategy and the annual plan with the board
- Hires, develops and evaluates the senior team
- Serves as chief fundraiser and public face with major donors, foundations and government funders
- Is accountable for the budget, reserves and financial health
- Ensures legal and regulatory compliance, including accurate Form 990 filing
- Supports board governance, committee work and board recruitment
How it differs
The President title may denote the same job or, in some organizations, a separate board officer or second executive. The COO runs internal operations under the CEO. Where both President and CEO titles exist, the one the board hires and evaluates is the CEO.
By organization size
In organizations under about $1M in revenue the executive director often runs programs and raises money personally with little staff. In large systems the CEO works through an executive team and spends most time on the board, major partners and strategy.
Filings from the last five years mapped to this role commonly report titles such as: Executive Director; CEO; Executive Dir.; President & CEO; Chief Executive Officer; President/CEO