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Chief communications officer vs community relations director

The differences between chief communications officers and community relations directors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a chief communications officer and a community relations director. Additionally, a chief communications officer has an average salary of $115,086, which is higher than the $96,788 average annual salary of a community relations director.

The top three skills for a chief communications officer include crisis communications, external communications and CCO. The most important skills for a community relations director are community relations, community events, and memory care.

Chief communications officer vs community relations director overview

Chief Communications OfficerCommunity Relations Director
Yearly salary$115,086$96,788
Hourly rate$55.33$46.53
Growth rate8%8%
Number of jobs80,71133,569
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 73%Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Average age4242
Years of experience44

What does a chief communications officer do?

A chief communications officer oversees internal relations and researches public employees. Most of the chief communications officers spend a massive amount of time interacting with the chief marketing officers of their organization. They are responsible for management issues and may offer risk management in industries that are prone to hazard, risk, and product failure. They provide wise counsel to the senior team whenever major decisions are debated. They act in many ways as representatives of many publics who are not in the room when these decisions are made. These officers also help the organization translate strategy to action.

What does a community relations director do?

A community relations director is an individual who is responsible for managing positive relationships with community members, nonprofit organizations, and fellow employees surrounding an organization. Community relations directors must plan, organize, and manage activities to help the organization achieve its public relations goal. They need to interface with vital community groups so that they can ensure the organization is producing effective results. Community relations managers must also assist in preparing a variety of publicity materials such as speeches and media content.

Chief communications officer vs community relations director salary

Chief communications officers and community relations directors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Chief Communications OfficerCommunity Relations Director
Average salary$115,086$96,788
Salary rangeBetween $63,000 And $208,000Between $61,000 And $152,000
Highest paying City-New York, NY
Highest paying state-New York
Best paying company-Zoho
Best paying industry-Manufacturing

Differences between chief communications officer and community relations director education

There are a few differences between a chief communications officer and a community relations director in terms of educational background:

Chief Communications OfficerCommunity Relations Director
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 73%Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Most common majorCommunicationBusiness
Most common collegeStanford UniversityStanford University

Chief communications officer vs community relations director demographics

Here are the differences between chief communications officers' and community relations directors' demographics:

Chief Communications OfficerCommunity Relations Director
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 59.5% Female, 40.5%Male, 25.8% Female, 74.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.0% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 5.1% White, 74.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%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%
LGBT Percentage16%16%

Differences between chief communications officer and community relations director duties and responsibilities

Chief communications officer example responsibilities.

  • Develop editorial content, seek concept and content clearance, and manage editorial calendar for an e-publication research by a subcontractor.
  • Create original content resulting in extensive media coverage and several million views through native Facebook video and YouTube.
  • Serve as representative to senior management team during community events and company spokesperson for division, including to nonprofit sector clients.
  • Direct internal communications tactics including newsletters, Intranet, domestic and international executive meetings, and special events.

Community relations director example responsibilities.

  • Manage monthly marketing budget for SNF and ALF facility.
  • Manage all event planning, reunion programming, donor stewardship and in-house publications for UR alumni.
  • Maintain website and contribute to organization's Facebook page.
  • Convert reporting from UK GAAP to IFRS first time adoption.
  • Oversee community presence including Facebook, website, and print newsletters.
  • Increase recruitment and sales for this locally own SNF; overcome negative referral trends and poor community perception.
  • Show more

Chief communications officer vs community relations director skills

Common chief communications officer skills
  • Crisis Communications, 9%
  • External Communications, 8%
  • CCO, 6%
  • Press Releases, 6%
  • Community Relations, 5%
  • Strategic Communications Plan, 3%
Common community relations director skills
  • Community Relations, 23%
  • Community Events, 6%
  • Memory Care, 5%
  • Press Releases, 3%
  • Business Development, 3%
  • Sales Process, 3%

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