Executive director

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Executive director is commonly the title of the chief executive officer (CEO) of a non-profit organization, government agency or international organization.

The title is widely used in North American and European not-for-profit organizations, though in the United States many have adopted the title 'president' or CEO. It generally has the same meaning as CEO or managing director.

The title may also be used by a member of a board of directors for a corporation, such as a company, cooperative or nongovernmental organization, who usually holds a managerial position with the corporation. In this context the role is usually contrasted with a non-executive director who usually holds no executive, managerial role with the corporation.

There is much national and cultural variation in the exact definition of an executive director.