Post job

Director strategic communications vs development director

The differences between directors strategic communications and development 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 strategic communications and a development director. Additionally, a development director has an average salary of $107,044, which is higher than the $105,320 average annual salary of a director strategic communications.

The top three skills for a director strategic communications include project management, business development and professional development. The most important skills for a development director are digital marketing, oversight, and patients.

Director strategic communications vs development director overview

Director Strategic CommunicationsDevelopment Director
Yearly salary$105,320$107,044
Hourly rate$50.63$51.46
Growth rate8%8%
Number of jobs30,74663,008
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Average age4242
Years of experience44

What does a director strategic communications do?

A director of strategic communications is responsible for monitoring the strategic communications of an organization, relating to the media relations and dissemination of information across the company and public platforms to promote brand image and close deals with business partners. Directors of strategic communications identify efficient marketing techniques and opportunities to gain more resources for revenue by analyzing the current trends to develop new services and improve existing ones. A director of strategic communications must be highly communicative and organizational, especially on coordinating with project teams to support business functions.

What does a development director do?

A development director is an individual who is responsible for securing funds and sponsors for non-profit organizations. Development directors must actively seek new business partners and develop relationships with volunteers and donors. They meet with members of the development team to help advertise and promote brand awareness and funding. Development directors must possess skills and experience in managing human resources, marketing, and budgeting functions. They must also obtain a bachelor's degree in business management, public relations, or related field.

Director strategic communications vs development director salary

Directors strategic communications and development directors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Director Strategic CommunicationsDevelopment Director
Average salary$105,320$107,044
Salary rangeBetween $66,000 And $167,000Between $64,000 And $177,000
Highest paying CityCarson City, NVJersey City, NJ
Highest paying stateNevadaNew Jersey
Best paying companyThe Hatcher GroupCornerstone Research
Best paying industryProfessional-

Differences between director strategic communications and development director education

There are a few differences between a director strategic communications and a development director in terms of educational background:

Director Strategic CommunicationsDevelopment Director
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeStanford UniversityStanford University

Director strategic communications vs development director demographics

Here are the differences between directors strategic communications' and development directors' demographics:

Director Strategic CommunicationsDevelopment Director
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 61.7% Female, 38.3%Male, 50.2% Female, 49.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.0% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 9.2% Asian, 5.1% White, 74.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 6.0% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 9.2% Asian, 5.1% White, 74.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage16%16%

Differences between director strategic communications and development director duties and responsibilities

Director strategic communications example responsibilities.

  • Manage and develop marketing, communication, and implementation process improvements for training curricula and the department's intranet website.
  • Support principal's digital presence, including Facebook.
  • Serve as representative to senior management team during community events and company spokesperson for division, including to nonprofit sector clients.
  • Perform all aspects of CLETS / NCIC data entry / inquiry
  • Direct company communications and publications including brand messaging and design, copywriting, media relations, and website content.

Development director example responsibilities.

  • Manage CRM program for coordination and partnerships with marketing resources.
  • Manage website re-launch, create communications plan, co-le rebranding taskforce.
  • Manage clients and internal production team to meet budget and scope of contract eLearning solutions.
  • Help manage the CRM system with input and output for the resource development department and the entire organization.
  • Manage analytical method validation and method transfer to QC and CMOs for APIs, excipients, and finish products.
  • Hire, manage and train a team of six sourcing professionals as well as a team of 3 QA managers.
  • Show more

Director strategic communications vs development director skills

Common director strategic communications skills
  • Project Management, 11%
  • Business Development, 8%
  • Professional Development, 8%
  • C-Suite, 7%
  • Executive Leadership, 7%
  • Leveraged, 7%
Common development director skills
  • Digital Marketing, 8%
  • Oversight, 6%
  • Patients, 6%
  • Lead Generation, 5%
  • ROI, 4%
  • Project Management, 4%

Browse executive management jobs