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The differences between directors of special events and communications 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 director of special events and a communications director. Additionally, a communications director has an average salary of $107,700, which is higher than the $63,671 average annual salary of a director of special events.
The top three skills for a director of special events include event planning, alumni and event management. The most important skills for a communications director are web content, press releases, and customer service.
| Director Of Special Events | Communications Director | |
| Yearly salary | $63,671 | $107,700 |
| Hourly rate | $30.61 | $51.78 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 23,252 | 27,939 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
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.
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.
Directors of special events and communications directors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Director Of Special Events | Communications Director | |
| Average salary | $63,671 | $107,700 |
| Salary range | Between $35,000 And $113,000 | Between $61,000 And $188,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Nevada |
| Best paying company | NRDC | McKinsey & Company Inc |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a director of special events and a communications director in terms of educational background:
| Director Of Special Events | Communications Director | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Most common major | Business | Communication |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between directors of special events' and communications directors' demographics:
| Director Of Special Events | Communications Director | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 25.1% Female, 74.9% | Male, 40.2% Female, 59.8% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 16% | 16% |