Post job

Director of special events vs public relations manager

The differences between directors of special events and public relations managers 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 public relations manager. Additionally, a public relations manager has an average salary of $91,426, 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 public relations manager are press releases, web content, and pr campaigns.

Director of special events vs public relations manager overview

Director Of Special EventsPublic Relations Manager
Yearly salary$63,671$91,426
Hourly rate$30.61$43.95
Growth rate8%8%
Number of jobs23,25235,273
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 79%Bachelor's Degree, 79%
Average age4242
Years of experience44

What does a director of special events do?

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.

What does a public relations manager do?

A public relations manager is responsible for monitoring the public relations department to boost its brand image and attract potential clients through press releases and media coverage. They work closely with the marketing team, developing marketing campaigns and promotional strategies for creating brand awareness. Public relations managers maintain the company's presence on various social media platforms, responding to the customers' inquiries and concerns regarding the company's goods and services. A public relations manager must have excellent communication and leadership skills, especially in identifying business opportunities to increase revenues and profitability.

Director of special events vs public relations manager salary

Directors of special events and public relations managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Director Of Special EventsPublic Relations Manager
Average salary$63,671$91,426
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 And $113,000Between $64,000 And $128,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CALas Vegas, NV
Highest paying stateCaliforniaNevada
Best paying companyNRDCGoogle
Best paying industryProfessionalTechnology

Differences between director of special events and public relations manager education

There are a few differences between a director of special events and a public relations manager in terms of educational background:

Director Of Special EventsPublic Relations Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 79%Bachelor's Degree, 79%
Most common majorBusinessCommunication
Most common collegeStanford UniversityNorthwestern University

Director of special events vs public relations manager demographics

Here are the differences between directors of special events' and public relations managers' demographics:

Director Of Special EventsPublic Relations Manager
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 25.1% Female, 74.9%Male, 34.5% Female, 65.5%
Race ratioBlack 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, 5.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 5.1% White, 74.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage16%16%

Differences between director of special events and public relations manager duties and responsibilities

Director of special events example responsibilities.

  • Manage the communications/special events budget to ensure ROI in accordance with the communication plan.
  • Restructure the budget plan for the department, achieving significant cost reductions while increasing ROI.
  • Organize, execute and manage all VIP hospitality and auxiliary celebrity events.
  • Manage all aspects of these events and act as onsite manager to ensure meeting are delivered effectively and professionally.
  • Develop a BEO form to promote effective communication between front of house and back of house.
  • Collaborate with catering to create BEO s and assist clients with menu selection for meetings and events.
  • Show more

Public relations manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage social media - provide content ideas, monitor FB and Instagram activity.
  • Manage events and promotions; create Christmas event, manage twitter account and make marketing plans.
  • Lead a successful rebranding effort to transition the organization into a premier corporate training provider in SoCal.
  • Lead a rebranding and revitalization of the intranet by focusing on improving internal communication, search capabilities, and branding elements.
  • Interview featured alumni, manage copywriting staff and editorial calendar, and coordinate photography.
  • Maintain strong working relationships across all departments to manage successful on-site opportunities, content and multimedia asset development and spokesperson requests.
  • Show more

Director of special events vs public relations manager skills

Common director of special events skills
  • Event Planning, 13%
  • Alumni, 11%
  • Event Management, 7%
  • Event Logistics, 6%
  • Audio Visual, 4%
  • Press Releases, 3%
Common public relations manager skills
  • Press Releases, 20%
  • Web Content, 5%
  • Pr Campaigns, 4%
  • Marketing Campaigns, 4%
  • Digital Marketing, 4%
  • Facebook, 3%

Browse executive management jobs