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Communications director vs communications project manager

The differences between communications directors and communications project managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a communications director has an average salary of $107,700, which is higher than the $85,174 average annual salary of a communications project manager.

The top three skills for a communications director include web content, press releases and customer service. The most important skills for a communications project manager are project management, powerpoint, and web content.

Communications director vs communications project manager overview

Communications DirectorCommunications Project Manager
Yearly salary$107,700$85,174
Hourly rate$51.78$40.95
Growth rate8%12%
Number of jobs27,939146,055
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Average age4247
Years of experience4-

What does a communications director do?

A communications director is responsible for monitoring and supervising the overall media relations from internal to external communications. A communications director's duties include managing campaigns, providing organizational updates to the employees, supporting social media marketing, developing effective communication strategies to build the organization's reputation, and efficiently leading team members in handling events that represent the business. Communications directors must have strong leadership and communication skills to provide support for the company's daily operations and strategies.

What does a communications project manager do?

A communications project manager is in charge of overseeing the development of internal and external communication materials. Their responsibilities typically revolve around performing research and analysis to identify client or company needs, developing effective communication strategies, coordinating different teams to ensure the quality and accuracy of projects, setting objectives and goals, and managing schedules and budgets. Furthermore, as a manager, it is essential to lead and encourage the team to reach goals, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations, including its vision and mission.

Communications director vs communications project manager salary

Communications directors and communications project managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Communications DirectorCommunications Project Manager
Average salary$107,700$85,174
Salary rangeBetween $61,000 And $188,000Between $59,000 And $121,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateNevadaCalifornia
Best paying companyMcKinsey & Company IncMeta
Best paying industryHealth CareManufacturing

Differences between communications director and communications project manager education

There are a few differences between a communications director and a communications project manager in terms of educational background:

Communications DirectorCommunications Project Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Most common majorCommunicationBusiness
Most common collegeStanford UniversityUniversity of Pennsylvania

Communications director vs communications project manager demographics

Here are the differences between communications directors' and communications project managers' demographics:

Communications DirectorCommunications Project Manager
Average age4247
Gender ratioMale, 40.2% Female, 59.8%Male, 41.6% Female, 58.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 5.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 9.0% Asian, 5.1% White, 75.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 7.7% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 12.9% Asian, 9.0% White, 65.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage16%10%

Differences between communications director and communications project manager duties and responsibilities

Communications director example responsibilities.

  • Assist in managing the Facebook and Instagram pages.
  • Develop and manage c-level strategic client relationships to grow revenue base.
  • Create and manage corporate website, online demand gen through SEO and SEM.
  • Manage editorial content of the organization website, build and upload web pages via HTML.
  • Manage the marketing strategy and budget, including B2C acquisition campaigns focuse on out of home and DRTV.
  • Manage media relations, announcements, editorial placement, and speaking opportunities the organizations.
  • Show more

Communications project manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage SEO outreach activities to develop visibility.
  • Manage SharePoint front page for company-wide news and departmental updates using original and curate content.
  • Maintain strong working relationships across all departments to manage successful on-site opportunities, content and multimedia asset development and spokesperson requests.
  • Revise, edit and reformat PowerPoint decks and training manuals.
  • Render PowerPoint assistance that support the team s communications programs and promotions.
  • Create and run various Facebook contests aim at driving growth and building the community.
  • Show more

Communications director vs communications project manager skills

Common communications director skills
  • Web Content, 8%
  • Press Releases, 8%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • External Communications, 5%
  • Project Management, 4%
  • Employee Engagement, 4%
Common communications project manager skills
  • Project Management, 20%
  • PowerPoint, 8%
  • Web Content, 7%
  • Status Reports, 5%
  • SharePoint, 4%
  • Communications Projects, 4%

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