Assistant or Associate Director
Last updated: May 19, 2025
Typical Responsibilities
Reports to an Executive Head, directs and oversees an area or function of the department or school. Performs professional administrative and/or programmatic functions, and participates in the development of strategic plans, oversees plan implementation, and ensures continued plan adherence. Associate Director positions typically embody greater scope and complexity than Assistant Directors and have more responsibility for strategic planning, policy making, and maintaining organizational effectiveness. Assistant and Associate Director titles apply to a wide array of positions in diverse organizations. It is possible for an Assistant Director in a large organization to have a greater level of responsibility, scope of function, and impact than an Associate Director for a smaller organization. Salary grade is independent of title and is determined based on the responsibilities and impacts of each position.
Supervisory Responsibility
Supervision of staff is not required, but is commonly found at higher grades in the series. Supervisors have the authority to hire staff, evaluate job performance, and take corrective action if performance is not acceptable.
Overtime Eligibility
FLSA overtime status is based on the position’s duties and responsibilities, and whether or not the position’s gross salary is less than the federal FLSA salary basis test or the Washington state salary basis test, whichever is higher. Please visit the Compensation website for current information on FLSA overtime eligibility.
Professional Staff Exemption
Principal Assistants to Executive Heads: Individuals serving as principal assistants to executive heads of a major administrative or academic division and who have major administrative or program responsibility within the division/department and report directly to the executive head. The employee regularly exercises independent judgment and discretion in work directly related to management policies or department business operations and has delegated authority to make commitments that affect department operations.
Sample Working Titles
Assistant Director of Education, Associate Director of Student Services, Assistant Director of Center Operations
Alternative Payroll Titles
If the position does not report to an Executive Head, consider titles under the Program Direction/Control exemption.
Limitations
Must report to an Executive Head.