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The differences between associate directors of development and directors of special events can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both an associate director of development and a director of special events. Additionally, an associate director of development has an average salary of $108,570, which is higher than the $63,671 average annual salary of a director of special events.
The top three skills for an associate director of development include project management, oversight and CMC. The most important skills for a director of special events are event planning, alumni, and event management.
| Associate Director Of Development | Director Of Special Events | |
| Yearly salary | $108,570 | $63,671 |
| Hourly rate | $52.20 | $30.61 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 71,965 | 23,252 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 79% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
An associate director of development performs a wide variety of duties and responsibilities related to an organization's donor relations and fundraising activities. These include supervising employees who are responsible for donation and fundraising, collaborating with the director in the development of strategies, and working closely with other departments to coordinate and meet clients' needs. Additionally, as an associate director of development, you are expected to oversee communications and marketing initiatives and supervise and monitor budgets. You are also expected to solicit donors personally and enhance existing client relationships.
A director of special events spearheads and oversees the planning and execution of various events, ensuring everything runs smoothly and efficiently. They typically set goals and guidelines, manage schedules and timelines, outline plans and strategies, coordinate managers and different departments, and liaise with vendors and suppliers, building positive business relationships in the process. Moreover, as a director, it is essential to lead and encourage staff to reach goals while implementing and promoting the company's policies and regulations, including its vision and mission.
Associate directors of development and directors of special events have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Associate Director Of Development | Director Of Special Events | |
| Average salary | $108,570 | $63,671 |
| Salary range | Between $71,000 And $164,000 | Between $35,000 And $113,000 |
| Highest paying City | Stamford, CT | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Delaware | California |
| Best paying company | Kimco Realty | NRDC |
| Best paying industry | Pharmaceutical | Professional |
There are a few differences between an associate director of development and a director of special events in terms of educational background:
| Associate Director Of Development | Director Of Special Events | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 79% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between associate directors of development' and directors of special events' demographics:
| Associate Director Of Development | Director Of Special Events | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 45.7% Female, 54.3% | Male, 25.1% Female, 74.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.0% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 5.1% White, 74.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 5.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 9.0% Asian, 5.1% White, 75.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 16% | 16% |