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Director, market research vs marketing specialist

The differences between directors, market research and marketing specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a director, market research and a marketing specialist. Additionally, a director, market research has an average salary of $112,955, which is higher than the $54,942 average annual salary of a marketing specialist.

The top three skills for a director, market research include market research, data analysis and competitive intelligence. The most important skills for a marketing specialist are digital marketing, marketing campaigns, and project management.

Director, market research vs marketing specialist overview

Director, Market ResearchMarketing Specialist
Yearly salary$112,955$54,942
Hourly rate$54.31$26.41
Growth rate19%19%
Number of jobs59,59887,145
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 78%
Average age3737
Years of experience66

What does a director, market research do?

A director of market research oversees and directs the market research programs of a company. They must set goals and timelines, establish budgets and strategies, liaise with internal and external parties, and develop market research plans according to company objectives and standards. They may also participate in recruiting researchers and other experts, conducting market research and interviews, identifying key participants, and reviewing findings. Moreover, they lead staff in the joint effort to reach program goals, all while implementing company policies and regulations.

What does a marketing specialist do?

A marketing specialist's primary responsibility revolves around conducting thorough market research and analysis to acquire extensive knowledge and understanding of a brand and how it will work in the consumer market. They must determine and come up with strategies and utilize this to develop various programs or campaigns that would be vital in bringing more awareness to the brand, thus boosting sales and improving client base. Furthermore, a marketing specialist must also use their expertise to figure out new opportunities and trends that will work for the company.

Director, market research vs marketing specialist salary

Directors, market research and marketing specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Director, Market ResearchMarketing Specialist
Average salary$112,955$54,942
Salary rangeBetween $68,000 And $185,000Between $36,000 And $82,000
Highest paying CityDover, DESeattle, WA
Highest paying stateDelawareWashington
Best paying companyBarclaysGoogle
Best paying industryHospitalityTechnology

Differences between director, market research and marketing specialist education

There are a few differences between a director, market research and a marketing specialist in terms of educational background:

Director, Market ResearchMarketing Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 78%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of GeorgiaUniversity of Georgia

Director, market research vs marketing specialist demographics

Here are the differences between directors, market research' and marketing specialists' demographics:

Director, Market ResearchMarketing Specialist
Average age3737
Gender ratioMale, 57.6% Female, 42.4%Male, 35.5% Female, 64.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 5.2% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 12.4% Asian, 11.7% White, 65.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%Black or African American, 5.2% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 12.5% Asian, 11.2% White, 65.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage10%10%

Differences between director, market research and marketing specialist duties and responsibilities

Director, market research example responsibilities.

  • Manage and balance annual syndicate research budget, including MRI, Nielsen, SRDS vendors.
  • Lead social path-to-purchase study, incorporating social media analytics into insight community to identify spectrum of social engagement among customers.
  • Network with fellow students and discuss events in the macro and micro environment.
  • Research property utilizing GIS and local government offices to locate ownership, property records, and tax information.
  • Conduct interviews with technology leaders, financial heads and other managers of major healthcare organizations regarding administrative and information technology issues.
  • Create budgetary protocol and project proposals that are successfully implement by Bloomberg.

Marketing specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage company twitter feed, posting new requisitions and articles of interest.
  • Generate leads, create property postings, social media (Instagram, Facebook, etc . )
  • Manage PPC campaigns, including SEM budgeting, writing ad copy, keyword selection (incl.
  • Manage end-to- end process for the brand brochure including creative brief development, copywriting, proofreading and executive approvals.
  • Manage LinkedIn client group by promoting conversations, approving user requests to join and posting company updates and relevant content.
  • Accomplish in presentation, negotiation, and closing with demonstrate talent for establishing positive rapport and instilling client confidence and loyalty.
  • Show more

Director, market research vs marketing specialist skills

Common director, market research skills
  • Market Research, 12%
  • Data Analysis, 8%
  • Competitive Intelligence, 7%
  • Project Management, 7%
  • Primary Research, 7%
  • Market Research Studies, 4%
Common marketing specialist skills
  • Digital Marketing, 13%
  • Marketing Campaigns, 6%
  • Project Management, 5%
  • Email Marketing, 4%
  • PowerPoint, 4%
  • Customer Service, 4%

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