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Executive Director Agreement

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Contract for Youth Minister

Employment agreement made this day of , 20 , between , a nonprofit Church Corporation organized

and existing under the laws of , with its principal office located at , referred to herein Church, and

, of , referred to herein Youth Minister or the Employee.

I. Employment; Duties.

The Church employs the Employee as its Youth Minister, and the Youth Minister accepts such employment. The duties of the Youth Minister include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Plan, direct, conduct, and evaluate a comprehensive youth ministry taking into consideration the spiritual, physical, recreational, social and psychological development of youth.

• Direct the teaching programs of the youth division (Sunday School, Mission Organizations, Discipleship Training) in cooperation with the appropriate directors.

• Relate the youth to the overall life of the church and the church to the needs of its youth.

• Lead youth to recognize the call of God in their life relating to vocation.

• Strive to enlist the youth in worship, Bible study, prayer, and other Christian exercise.

• Avail youth to special programs of spiritual growth and fellowship such as mission activities, camps, retreats, meetings.

• Promote a regular program of visitation for the youth in cooperation with the overall church program of outreach.

• Train youth in outreach and evangelism.

• Visit middle school and high school campuses for personal contact with students at school approved times.

• Maintain one-to-one contact with individual youth in all phases of the work, with emphasis on visits in home with young people and their parents.

• Study and recommend changes in the youth ministry as needed for organization, space use, equipment and furnishing needs, policies and procedures, materials, programs, curriculum, education methods, etc.

• Seek to improve personal skills and abilities through training.

• Work with the Nominating Committee to enlist and train adult workers.

• Motivate, instruct, and coordinate the activities of adult workers.

• Plan with adult workers a program for leading youth to salvation and nurture them in Christian development.

• Insure that adequate adult sponsors are present for all youth programs and activities (according to the type of activity and size of the group).

• Prepare an annual budget for youth ministry needs and administer the approved budget according to church policy.

II. Compensation.

The Church shall pay the Employee a salary of $ per month. The Church must withhold FICA and federal income tax in accordance with law.

III. Expenses.

The Church shall reimburse the Employee for all reasonable and necessary expenses which he may incur relative to his services for the Church, including but not limited to travel, telephone, postage, typing, and copying expenses. The Church will provide reimbursement within days of submission by the Employee to the treasurer or any other officer of the Church of documentation supporting expenditures. The Employee will submit all documentation for an expense within days after the expense is incurred.

IV. Term.

The term of this agreement will commence, and the Employee's salary will commence, on , and will continue until terminated, with or without cause, by either party on written notice to the other.

V. No Other Employment.

The Employee is required to refrain from acting in any other work capacity or employment without having first obtained the written consent of the Church. It is the Church's intention that the Employee devotes all of the Employee's work effort towards the fulfillment of the Employee's obligations under this Agreement.

VI. Disclosure of Information.

The Employee agrees that any information received by the Employee during his employment, which concerns the personal, financial, or other affairs of the Church or its customers will be treated by the Employee in full confidence and will not be revealed to any other persons, firms or organizations.

VII. Hours of Employment.

The Employee is expected to work at least hours per day and hours per week, Monday to Friday. The working hours are normally to but may be determined differently by the Church from time to time. The Employee is allowed minutes for lunch with the time designated for lunch to be determined by the Church.

VIII. Compensation.

The Church shall pay the Employee $ per week as salary in accordance with this Agreement. The payments will be made on of each week.

IX. Benefits.

A. Holidays.

1. The Employee will be entitled to paid holidays each year plus personal days. The Church will notify the Employee as much in advance as practical with respect to the holiday schedule.

2. The personal days are to be scheduled in advance to the mutual convenience of the Employee and the Church. Such personal days must be taken during the calendar year and cannot be carried forward into the next year.

3. The Employee will not be entitled to any personal days unless the Employee has been employed for a period of during the calendar year.

B. Vacations.

1. The Employee will be entitled to vacations after the first months of employment with the Church. As of of any year the Employee is eligible for vacation as follows:

Length of Service / Days of Vacation: Six months but less than one year — Two days; One year but less than two years — Five days; Two years but less than five years — 10 days; Five years but less than 10 years — 15 days; 10 years or more — 20 days.

2. Vacation pay is based upon normal pay for a -hour work week without consideration for bonuses or other supplemental compensation.

C. Sick Leave. The Employee is allowed sick days per year. Sick days are not cumulative and may not be carried from year to year.

D. Emergency Leave. If a member of the Employee's immediate family dies or becomes critically ill, the Employee will be allowed up to days of leave with pay. Additional time may be granted, without pay, upon approval of the Church.

X. Termination of Employment.

Either party may terminate this Agreement and the employment under this Agreement without cause and at any time upon days' written notice by certified or registered mail to the other party at the address set forth above. This Agreement will be automatically terminated upon the death of the Employee.

XI. Severability.

The invalidity of any portion of this Agreement will not and shall not be deemed to affect the validity of any other provision. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, the parties agree that the remaining provisions shall be deemed to be in full force and effect as if they had been executed by both parties subsequent to the expungement of the invalid provision.

XII. No Waiver.

The failure of either party to this Agreement to insist upon the performance of any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, or the waiver of any breach of any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, shall not be construed as subsequently waiving any such terms and conditions, but the same shall continue and remain in full force and effect as if no such forbearance or waiver had occurred.

XIII. Governing Law.

This Agreement shall be governed by, construed, and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of .

XIV. Notices.

Unless provided herein to the contrary, any notice provided for or concerning this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed sufficiently given when sent by certified or registered mail if sent to the respective address of each party as set forth at the beginning of this Agreement.

XV. Attorney’s Fees.

In the event that any lawsuit is filed in relation to this Agreement, the unsuccessful party in the action shall pay to the successful party, in addition to all the sums that either party may be called on to pay, a reasonable sum for the successful party's attorney fees.

XVI. Mandatory Arbitration.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, and anything herein to the contrary, any dispute under this Agreement shall be required to be resolved by binding arbitration of the parties hereto. If the parties cannot agree on an arbitrator, each party shall select one arbitrator and both arbitrators shall then select a third. The third arbitrator so selected shall arbitrate said dispute. The arbitration shall be governed by the rules of the American Arbitration Association then in force and effect.

XVII. Entire Agreement.

This Agreement shall constitute the entire agreement between the parties and any prior understanding or representation of any kind preceding the date of this Agreement shall not be binding upon either party except to the extent incorporated in this Agreement.

XVIII. Modification of Agreement.

Any modification of this Agreement or additional obligation assumed by either party in connection with this Agreement shall be binding only if placed in writing and signed by each party or an authorized representative of each party.

XIX. Assignment of Rights.

The rights of each party under this Agreement are personal to that party and may not be assigned or transferred to any other person, firm, corporation, or other entity without the prior, express, and written consent of the other party.

WITNESS our signatures as of the day and date first above stated.

 

By:

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What an Executive Director Agreement Is and When It Applies

An Executive Director Agreement is a formal written contract that sets out the duties, authority, compensation, term, termination rights, confidentiality, and post‑employment obligations between a governing body (board) and an executive director. It clarifies reporting lines, decision‑making limits, performance expectations, and any benefits or severance arrangements. The agreement can be tailored for nonprofit, governmental, or private organizations and often references applicable corporate bylaws, conflict‑of‑interest policies, and state employment law. A clear, signed agreement reduces disputes and assists with governance, compliance, and future audits.

Why a Clear Executive Director Agreement Matters for Governance

A documented agreement protects both the organization and the director by defining scope, compensation, and termination processes; it supports fiduciary oversight and reduces ambiguity in decision making under state corporate and tax rules.

Why a Clear Executive Director Agreement Matters for Governance

Who Typically Prepares and Signs an Executive Director Agreement

These agreements are most often prepared by governance or HR teams, reviewed by counsel, and approved by the board or a delegated committee.

  • Board of directors or governance committee — negotiates and approves terms on behalf of the organization.
  • HR or operations leader — handles administrative setup, benefits coordination, and onboarding logistics.
  • Legal counsel — reviews compliance with corporate law, tax rules, and regulatory requirements.

Signatures are normally executed by the executive director and an authorized officer of the organization; counsel or the corporate secretary typically retains the executed copy.

Primary Signatory Roles

Board Chair

Signs on behalf of the board when authority is vested by resolution; ensures the agreement aligns with bylaws and board approvals, and coordinates any delegated signing via corporate minutes.

Executive Director

Signs to accept employment terms, duties, and restrictions. Their signature establishes mutual obligations and begins the agreement’s effective term for performance and benefit calculations.

Core Provisions to Include in a Professional Agreement

A well‑drafted Executive Director Agreement should be comprehensive yet clear. The following provisions are common and help reduce future disputes while meeting governance expectations.

Term and Renewal

Specify the initial term, automatic renewal rules (if any), and any performance milestones tied to renewal or extension, including notice and board review timing.

Duties and Authorities

Define primary responsibilities, delegated authorities, financial signing limits, hiring/firing authority, and how extraordinary decisions escalate to the board.

Compensation and Benefits

List base salary, bonus criteria, benefits, retirement contributions, expense reimbursements, and timing of payments to ensure payroll and tax compliance.

Termination and Severance

Outline termination for cause, without cause, resignation procedures, required notices, post‑termination payments, and any severance triggers linked to board action.

Confidentiality and IP

Address protection of confidential information, ownership of work product, and any IP assignment or license provisions relevant to the organization’s operations.

Conflict of Interest and Compliance

Include conflict disclosure obligations, compliance with organizational policies, background checks, and any regulatory or grant‑related restrictions.

Step‑by‑Step: Prepare, Approve, and Execute the Agreement

Follow a clear sequence to prepare and finalize the agreement, minimizing legal and administrative risk.

  • 01
    Draft: Prepare initial draft with counsel and HR input.
  • 02
    Board Review: Present to the board or committee for comments and approval.
  • 03
    Finalize Terms: Resolve negotiation points and produce the final document for signatures.
  • 04
    Execute: Obtain signatures from director and authorized officer; distribute copies to stakeholders.

Where to Send and File the Executed Agreement

Executed copies should be circulated to key stakeholders and retained in both HR and corporate governance records.

  • Board Secretary: Keeps corporate record file and minutes reference.
  • Human Resources: Adds agreement to the personnel file and payroll system.
  • Legal Counsel: Retains a legal copy and notes any compliance obligations.
  • Finance: Updates compensation schedules and budgeting records.

How to Configure an Online Signing Workflow

Set up digital routing and authentication to match approval order and recordkeeping practices before sending the document for signature.

Field Configuration
Signer Order Board signatory then executive director
Authentication Email link or SMS code for signer verification
Audit Trail Enable full audit trail with timestamps and IP
Retention Store signed PDF and certificate in governance folder

Digital Signing and eSubmission: Technical Considerations

Use a platform that supports secure signatures, audit trails, and the authentication level required by your organization.

  • Document Formats: PDF, DOCX supported
  • Integrations: Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, NetSuite
  • Authentication Options: Email, SMS, KBA, or advanced auth if required

Ensure the chosen provider supports retention, export to archival formats, and any regulatory compliance (HIPAA, 21 CFR Part 11) your organization requires.

Pricing and Feature Snapshot for eSignature Providers

Compare basic starting prices and compliance characteristics. signNow appears first for platform comparison and offers multiple plan formats to match usage patterns.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7‑day free trial Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan
Bulk Send Yes (Business Premium) Plan dependent Plan dependent Yes Plan dependent
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes (BAA available) Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan

Required Information and Key Fields at a Glance

Director Name: Full legal name
Organization Name: Legal entity name
Effective Date: MM/DD/YYYY
Salary: Gross annual amount
Termination Notice: Days required
Governing Law: State selection

Common Legal Risks to Address

Enforceability Risk: Missing signatures
Tax Misreporting: Incorrect compensation
Conflict Violations: Undisclosed conflicts
Severance Disputes: Unclear triggers
Privacy Breach: Improper PHI handling
Authority Gap: No board resolution

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Preparing the Agreement

  • Using ambiguous language for duties or compensation can create disputes and permit differing interpretations during performance reviews or termination.
  • Failing to align the agreement with bylaws or a board resolution may nullify authority to bind the organization or trigger governance objections.
  • Omitting explicit termination and severance conditions leads to costly negotiation and potential litigation if employment ends unexpectedly.
  • Not coordinating payroll, benefits, and tax setup with HR and finance can cause misreporting or delayed payments to the director.

Documents and Exhibits Commonly Attached to the Agreement

Attach schedules or exhibits to make core obligations explicit and to incorporate operational items without lengthening the primary agreement.

Exhibit A

Position description and performance metrics listed in detail, including measurable goals tied to bonus or renewal provisions for transparent evaluation.

Exhibit B

Compensation schedule showing salary, bonus targets, benefit summaries, expense reimbursement policy, and payment timing for payroll coordination.

Board Resolution

Signed resolution authorizing the agreement, naming the authorized signatory, and documenting the board vote consistent with bylaws.

Confidentiality Addendum

Detailed nondisclosure terms and data protection requirements, especially where the director will access sensitive donor or client information.

How to Update or Amend an Existing Agreement

Use a formal amendment process to change terms and preserve a clear paper trail for governance and auditors.

01

Propose Amendment:

Board or director proposes specific changes in writing.
02

Legal Review:

Counsel reviews implications for tax and corporate law.
03

Board Approval:

Obtain board vote or delegated committee approval.
04

Execute Amendment:

Both parties sign the amendment document.
05

Distribute Copies:

Update HR, finance, and corporate records.
06

Archive Prior Versions:

Retain original and amendment history for audits.

Practical Tips for Accurate and Efficient Completion

Follow these practices to reduce administrative friction and legal risk when finalizing an Executive Director Agreement.

Use Clear, Measurable Language
State duties, performance metrics, and compensation formulas in exact terms to avoid ambiguity during evaluations or disputes; tie bonuses to specific, documented milestones where possible.
Coordinate Board Approvals
Record board action in minutes and attach the resolution to the agreement to document authority for execution and to support later audits or regulatory reviews.
Match Payroll and Tax Records
Ensure compensation and benefit terms align with payroll entries and tax reporting to avoid misclassification or withholding errors that can trigger penalties.
Retain a Signed Master Copy
Keep a signed, dated PDF and the audit certificate in a secure records system and ensure controlled access for governance, HR, and legal teams.

Typical Timelines and Notice Periods to Track

Establish calendar triggers for approval, notice, and renewal events to ensure compliance with governance cycles.

Board Approval Timing:

Allow at least one full board meeting cycle for review

Effective Date:

Agreement takes effect on the specified MM/DD/YYYY date

Resignation Notice:

Commonly 30–90 days depending on role and organization

Termination Notice:

Specify days required for without‑cause termination

Renewal Notice:

Provide advance notice window for renewal discussions

Notarization and Witness Steps (If Required)

When a notary or witness is used, follow a consistent authentication flow to preserve evidentiary value.

01

Confirm Need

Determine whether notarization or witnesses are required for specific clauses

02

Schedule Signing

Arrange a session when all signers and witnesses are present

03

Verify ID

Notary verifies government‑issued ID for each signer

04

Execute in Presence

Signatures must be completed in the notary or witness presence

05

Notary Acknowledgement

Notary completes acknowledgment or jurat as appropriate

06

Record Journal

Notary records the act in their journal (per state rules)

07

Obtain Witness Signatures

Witnesses sign with printed names and contact info

08

Store Originals

Retain notarized originals with corporate records

Frequently Asked Questions About Executive Director Agreements

Answers to common questions about enforceability, signatures, amendments, and recordkeeping for Executive Director Agreements.


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