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The differences between client relationship managers and directors of client relations can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-8 years to become a client relationship manager, becoming a director of client relations takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a director of client relations has an average salary of $116,480, which is higher than the $89,226 average annual salary of a client relationship manager.
The top three skills for a client relationship manager include customer service, client service and client satisfaction. The most important skills for a director of client relations are project management, client issues, and healthcare.
| Client Relationship Manager | Director Of Client Relations | |
| Yearly salary | $89,226 | $116,480 |
| Hourly rate | $42.90 | $56.00 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 85,793 | 63,226 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 77% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Average age | 46 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 8 | 4 |
Client Relationship Managers handle special client accounts for the company. They are usually assigned to essential clients or corporate accounts. They ensure that the company keeps these clients engaged. Client Relationship Managers work hard to build professional working relationships. They give special attention to the assigned client accounts and provide clients with updates on company services and promotions. They tend to any concerns that clients may have, and they ensure that these concerns are properly addressed and resolved. Client Relationship Managers are entrusted to build and strengthen the company's relationship with a client. As such, they are expected to be professional, friendly, and collaborative.
A director of client relations is responsible for maintaining healthy business partnerships with clients, offering the company's quality services to boost brand awareness for the target audience on various market platforms. Directors of client relations identify the clients' needs, as well as their long-term goals, to strategize business techniques and project management procedures that would help the clients reach their maximum objectives. They also handle budget allocation for different teams, ensuring that each department receives adequate resources for operations.
Client relationship managers and directors of client relations have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Client Relationship Manager | Director Of Client Relations | |
| Average salary | $89,226 | $116,480 |
| Salary range | Between $57,000 And $139,000 | Between $82,000 And $163,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | Washington |
| Best paying company | Fenwick & West | Cambridge Associates |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between a client relationship manager and a director of client relations in terms of educational background:
| Client Relationship Manager | Director Of Client Relations | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 77% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | University of Southern California | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between client relationship managers' and directors of client relations' demographics:
| Client Relationship Manager | Director Of Client Relations | |
| Average age | 46 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 47.2% Female, 52.8% | Male, 45.2% Female, 54.8% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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 | 7% | 16% |