An Executive director is the senior manager or executive officer of an organization, company or corporation. The position is comparable to a chief executive or managing director. An executive director is usually paid or remunerated for his or her work.

The senior employee of North American non-profit organizations is usually called the executive director instead of the chief executive officer in order to avoid the business connotations which the latter name often evokes. Small groups and membership organizations may use the term executive secretary. It also distinguishes them from other members of the Board of Directors who are not remunerated for their roles, and to whom the executive director answers. Charities in England and Wales tend to call the senior employee simply Director, as the governing body is usually a Board of Trustees.

Titles | Chief executives | Management occupations | Positions of authority