Executive Director Certification

Become a More Effective Nonprofit Leader with Executive Director Certification

Executive directors wear many hats -strategic leader, operational manager, board liaison, community advocate, and more. Whether you're already in the role or aspiring to step into it, success requires a powerful blend of leadership skills, nonprofit knowledge, and hands-on experience.

Board members, donors, and stakeholders look to you for vision and direction. That’s why now is the perfect time to build your expertise, expand your leadership capacity, and connect with a network of mission-driven professionals.

Our Executive Director Certification Program, led by nonprofit expert Mary Gladstone-Highland, is designed to help you lead with confidence. This practical, in-depth training will give you the tools, strategies, and insights you need to drive real impact in your organization.

You’ll gain valuable leadership skills, earn a recognized certification, and show your commitment to professional growth and organizational excellence.

Enroll today and take the next step in your nonprofit leadership journey.

Outcomes:

  • Clarity on Executive Director Responsibilities: Understand the full scope of your role and how to lead with purpose.
  • Effective Board Engagement: Learn how to build strong, strategic relationships with your board of directors.
  • Nonprofit Financial Leadership: Gain confidence in managing budgets, reports, and donor accountability.
  • Stronger Staff Leadership: Develop key strategies for hiring, motivating, and managing a high-performing team.
  • Strategic Planning Expertise: Learn how to set clear goals and lead long-term organizational strategy.
  • Nonprofit Management Mastery: Navigate the complex demands of nonprofit leadership with proven frameworks.
  • Real-World Best Practices: Apply successful tactics used by top-performing nonprofits across the country.
  • Career Momentum: Position yourself for advancement with new skills and a respected certification.
  • Renewed Purpose: Reignite your passion for leadership and your organization’s mission.

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On-Demand
Certification
Time
Regular price $999.00
Regular price Sale price $999.00
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5 | 60 Minute Sessions

INFORMATION
Training Overview

Session 1: Executive Director Roles and Responsibilities

  • Key roles and responsibilities of an executive director
  • Essential skills for an effective nonprofit leader
  • The executive director’s role relating to the board
  • The executive director’s role relating to staff and volunteers


Session 2: Nonprofit Board of Directors Relations

  • Responsibilities of the board and executive director
  • Types of nonprofit boards
  • Best practices and effective interactions for nonprofit boards
  • Techniques to avoid common conflicts between boards and executive directors


Session 3: Nonprofit Financial Management

  • Budget creation, review, and calendar
  • Financial reporting for board meetings
  • Sector-specific legal obligations, including financial reporting
  • Annual IRS forms


Session 4: Staff Management

  • How to hire and manage nonprofit employees
  • Typical nonprofit staffing positions and status types
  • How to create an organizational structure to serve your mission
  • Legal requirements and performance reviews


Session 5: Nonprofit Strategic Planning

  • The purpose of strategic planning and goal setting
  • Benefits to be realized by setting realistic and measurable goals
  • Developing a useful planning document
  • Identifying the unique issues your organization is dealing with
  • Including top-down goals to increase your success rate
  • Crafting implementation plans and metrics to track progress
Recommended Audience
Who Should Attend?
  • Chief executives/Executive directors
  • Board members
  • Nonprofit counsel
  • Senior management
  • Financial staff
  • Managers
  • Development staff
  • Volunteer coordinators
  • Program directors
  • Development directors
  • Nonprofit professionals aspiring to become executive directors
Approval and validity
Certifications

A comprehensive online exam will be administered at the end of the course to assess your knowledge and understanding of principles and practices. The exam must be completed within 60 days of option purchased: last day of live event OR within 60 days of date of purchase of on-demand access only.

Certification: Upon successful completion of the final exam (with a score of 80% or higher) and meeting the attendance requirements, you will receive a digital credential, validating your expertise and commitment to advancing your career.

*Certification delivered via email within 5-7 business days of passing.

What's included
Training includes
  • Format options from purchase live session on your chosen date (on-demand access after the event included) OR on-demand access only
  • PDF slides + any bonus materials from our expert speaker
  • Certificate of Attendance for each session attended
  • One certification exam attempt - included!
  • Executive Director Certification after passing exam
  • Certified Nonprofit Professional
  • Fourteen years of experience leading organizations
  • Graduate of the Maxwell School of Citizenship & Public Affairs at Syracuse University
  • Master of Public Administration
  • Certificate in Advanced Study in Conflict and Collaboration
  • Certified Fund Raising Executive
  • Has raised over $3.4 million for numerous organizations over the past five years