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Area sales director vs head of sales

The differences between area sales directors and heads of sales can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-8 years to become both an area sales director and a head of sales. Additionally, a head of sales has an average salary of $166,100, which is higher than the $90,206 average annual salary of an area sales director.

The top three skills for an area sales director include customer service, CRM and sales management. The most important skills for a head of sales are CRM, sales strategy, and sales organization.

Area sales director vs head of sales overview

Area Sales DirectorHead Of Sales
Yearly salary$90,206$166,100
Hourly rate$43.37$79.86
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs77,250112,592
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 75%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Average age4646
Years of experience88

What does an area sales director do?

Area sales directors manage, train, and motivate the organization's team members to run revenue growth. Besides developing and managing efficient sales distribution networks, area sales directors also create reliable marketing strategies and sales strategies for the sales team's target setting and assigned territory. These professionals collect market feedback and customer feedback and update the organization about these comments/responses. They engage in periodical forecasting, analyze sales information, monitor sales team members' performance, and update the company heads.

What does a head of sales do?

The head of sales is primarily responsible for overseeing the sales performance of a company and devising strategies to optimize practices. Their responsibilities typically revolve around monitoring the progress of every sales effort, setting objectives and deadlines, performing research and analysis to identify sales opportunities, and coordinating with different departments to improve procedures and reach sales targets. Furthermore, as the head of sales, it is essential to lead and encourage the workforce, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

Area sales director vs head of sales salary

Area sales directors and heads of sales have different pay scales, as shown below.

Area Sales DirectorHead Of Sales
Average salary$90,206$166,100
Salary rangeBetween $57,000 And $141,000Between $110,000 And $248,000
Highest paying City-Portland, OR
Highest paying state-Vermont
Best paying company-Flexport
Best paying industry-Technology

Differences between area sales director and head of sales education

There are a few differences between an area sales director and a head of sales in terms of educational background:

Area Sales DirectorHead Of Sales
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 75%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of Southern California

Area sales director vs head of sales demographics

Here are the differences between area sales directors' and heads of sales' demographics:

Area Sales DirectorHead Of Sales
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 67.2% Female, 32.8%Male, 66.5% Female, 33.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.2% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 4.1% White, 78.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 3.2% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 4.1% White, 78.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage7%7%

Differences between area sales director and head of sales duties and responsibilities

Area sales director example responsibilities.

  • Identify key decision makers, demonstrate ROI for proprietary product, drive design wins and achieve preferred print position.
  • Achieve continuous profitability improvements through cost reduction programs successful OEM contract negotiations and outsourcing installation program.
  • Launch and monitor new CRM system to maximize sales effectiveness.
  • Train sales teams in customer relationship management (CRM) software and sales skills.
  • Launch sales initiative for start-up company with unique delivery method for continuing medical education programs targeting physicians and other healthcare professionals.
  • Develop and implement an organizational restructure that result in improve go to market strategy and ROI.
  • Show more

Head of sales example responsibilities.

  • Coordinate social media work (Facebook, apps, and social post within the managed brands).
  • Create, and manage social media initiatives.including facebook, twitter, instagram, pinterest, and youtube.3.
  • Full responsibility for all sales activities for a start-up electronic commerce company managing electronic data flow in the healthcare industry.
  • Establish the group sales strategy, group ceiling, and booking calendar for groups.
  • Initiate and execute a customer service development program, CRM implementation and adoption.
  • Advance c-level and senior relationships with brand, agency, networks and publishers.
  • Show more

Area sales director vs head of sales skills

Common area sales director skills
  • Customer Service, 10%
  • CRM, 8%
  • Sales Management, 6%
  • Sales Process, 6%
  • Revenue Growth, 4%
  • Business Development, 4%
Common head of sales skills
  • CRM, 8%
  • Sales Strategy, 7%
  • Sales Organization, 5%
  • Product Knowledge, 5%
  • Business Development, 5%
  • Sales Operations, 5%

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