Leadership & Executive Coach

Career Guide
Leadership & Executive Coaches partner with senior leaders and managers to improve effectiveness, navigate change, and reach goals. They run focused 1:1 engagements, use assessments, set development plans, and hold clients accountable to drive lasting behavior change and business impact.

Key Responsibilities

  • Conduct 1:1 coaching engagements with executives and high-potential leaders
  • Administer and debrief 360 feedback and leadership assessments
  • Co-create development plans with measurable goals and milestones
  • Facilitate leadership workshops and group coaching sessions
  • Align with sponsors (manager/HR) on objectives and progress
  • Track outcomes and report impact metrics to stakeholders
  • Maintain clear coaching contracts, ethics, and confidentiality

Career Progression

Can Lead To
Senior Executive Coach
Coaching Practice Lead / Head of Coaching
Director of Leadership Development
Transition Opportunities
Organizational Development Consultant
Talent Development Manager
Change Management Consultant
HR Business Partner

Common Skill Gaps

Often Missing Skills
Interpreting and debriefing psychometric tools (e.g., 360s, Hogan, MBTI)Structured coaching methodology applied to executive contextsCoaching contract design and sponsor alignmentMeasuring outcomes and demonstrating coaching ROIFacilitating group coaching and leadership workshops
Development SuggestionsComplete an ICF-accredited program with mentored coaching, then log 100+ supervised hours. Earn one leading assessment certification and practice debriefs with volunteer clients to build artifacts and confidence.

Salary & Demand

Median Salary Range
Entry Level$65,000-$90,000
Mid Level$90,000-$130,000
Senior Level$130,000-$200,000
Growth Trend
growing — Employers investing in leadership for hybrid work and transformation

Companies Hiring

Major Employers
BetterUpKorn FerryEzra Coaching
Industry Sectors
Professional Services & ConsultingTechnologyHealthcare

Recommended Next Steps

1
Enroll in an ICF Level 1 program and pursue the ACC credential; schedule mentor coaching to prepare for the exam.
2
Build a portfolio: deliver 50–100 pro bono hours with structured intake, goals, and outcome reports; join a local ICF chapter for supervision.
3
Gain an assessment credential (e.g., Hogan or MBTI) and create sample debrief reports to showcase capability to employers/clients.