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Job outlook for engagement directors in the United States
Are engagement director jobs in demand?
Engagement director job and salary trends over time
Engagement director jobs over time
Engagement director job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 423 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 410 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 401 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 365 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 333 | 0.00% |
Average engagement director salary over time
Engagement director salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $111,426 | $53.57 | +3.9% |
| 2025 | $107,256 | $51.57 | +1.9% |
| 2024 | $105,250 | $50.60 | +1.6% |
| 2023 | $103,635 | $49.82 | +0.8% |
| 2022 | $102,812 | $49.43 | +1.9% |
Engagement director jobs by state
Most common states for engagement directors
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 304 | 44% |
| 2 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 998 | 15% |
| 3 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 578 | 12% |
| 4 | Louisiana | 4,684,333 | 559 | 12% |
| 5 | Oklahoma | 3,930,864 | 465 | 12% |
| 6 | Mississippi | 2,984,100 | 339 | 11% |
| 7 | Vermont | 623,657 | 66 | 11% |
| 8 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 908 | 10% |
| 9 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 420 | 10% |
| 10 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 110 | 10% |
| 11 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 1,109 | 9% |
| 12 | California | 39,536,653 | 3,220 | 8% |
| 13 | New York | 19,849,399 | 1,543 | 8% |
| 14 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 659 | 8% |
| 15 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 451 | 8% |
| 16 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 248 | 8% |
| 17 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 113 | 8% |
| 18 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 79 | 8% |
| 19 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 738 | 7% |
| 20 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 674 | 7% |
Most common cities for engagement directors
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Juneau | 2 | 6% | $95,032 |
| 2 | Annapolis | 2 | 5% | $105,177 |
| 3 | Hartford | 5 | 4% | $94,830 |
| 4 | Lansing | 4 | 3% | $121,036 |
| 5 | Springfield | 3 | 3% | $112,380 |
| 6 | Atlanta | 10 | 2% | $118,838 |
| 7 | Cambridge | 2 | 2% | $111,590 |
| 8 | Boston | 9 | 1% | $111,678 |
| 9 | Sacramento | 4 | 1% | $122,317 |
| 10 | Washington | 4 | 1% | $118,108 |
| 11 | Tampa | 3 | 1% | $100,380 |
| 12 | Little Rock | 2 | 1% | $96,384 |
| 13 | Montgomery | 2 | 1% | $87,862 |
| 14 | Phoenix | 4 | 0% | $91,999 |
| 15 | San Francisco | 4 | 0% | $122,900 |
| 16 | Indianapolis | 3 | 0% | $92,670 |
| 17 | Baltimore | 2 | 0% | $105,083 |
| 18 | Chicago | 2 | 0% | $116,827 |
Engagement Director job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of engagement director experts
Towson University
Auburn University-Montgomery
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania
Tusculum University
Delta State University
Old Dominion University
Wayland Baptist University, Anchorage
Western New England University
University of Virginia
James Madison University
Menlo College
Roger Williams University
Erin Steffes Ph.D.
Department Chair and ProfessorTowson University
Marketing Department
What skills stand out on Engagement Director resumes?
Erin Steffes Ph.D.: Entry-level marketing positions span a wide range of responsibilities, and as such, there are many different skill sets depending on the job itself. For example, many recent grads will pursue a position in digital marketing wherein proficiencies in search engine optimization, online advertising, web design, and data analytics are key skill sets. On the other hand, many recent grads pursue a career in sales wherein proficiencies in business development, networking, personal selling, and data analytics are valued. Someone hiring for a general marketing coordinator position would likely look for a candidate with a solid understanding of marketing theory and excellent critical and creative thinking skills.
What soft skills should all Engagement Directors possess?
Erin Steffes Ph.D.: Students often underestimate the importance of soft skills. To succeed in a marketing career, you need to be able to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing, work well in a team environment, use critical and creative thinking, and get along with others. On an individual level, successful marketers are typically good time managers, decisive, adaptable to change, good listeners, and open to feedback. Emotional intelligence plays a significant role in one's career progression and success.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Engagement Directors?
Erin Steffes Ph.D.: As a science and an art, marketing utilizes both soft skills and technical skills on a daily basis. While some technologies are industry-specific, having an understanding and basic mastery of data analysis, statistics, data visualization, digital marketing, marketing research, and customer relationship management will position a candidate well.
What skills will help Engagement Directors earn the most?
Erin Steffes Ph.D.: At the end of the day, firms want to hire candidates that will contribute value over the long term and are adaptable to change. Demonstrating that you have the skills to do the job at hand while signaling that you are willing to contribute to the team is critical in landing that first job. One of the most important lessons for a job candidate or new hire is to eliminate the notion that something "is not my job." Your new career will give you many opportunities to create value for your customers, your colleagues, or the firm as a whole, many of which may lie beyond your immediate scope of responsibility.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Engagement Directors?
Jeff Bates: I believe there will be an impact on everyone, but especially our younger generation, as we progress into the Covid future. The current students have entered into a new realm of attending college and will face similar challenges in entering the workplace. The traditional method of interviewing, learning a new job, and even interacting with co-workers will be altered in at least the near future. Graduates will need much greater on-line communication skills and will probably need to be more self-taught in their new positions instead of learning from in-person mentoring.
What's a day at work look like for an Engagement Director?
Jeff Bates: As Covid has spread across the world, we have seen companies find alternative methods to allow their businesses to continue being productive. According to Jeremy Powell, Chair of the Federal Reserve, we are scheduled to have one of the most robust economies that has occurred in a very long time over the next few years. Graduates will acclimate themselves and I believe will probably find the new work environment easier to handle than workers that have been more accustomed to the way business was done in the past. The current generation of graduates has grown up in a tech heavy world so they should be comfortable in this new environment of the workplace that relies heavily on Zoom and other non-traditional methods. It is very likely that the recent graduates will work at least part time remotely. In some instances, we are seeing people find themselves working for a company that is located in another state or even another country without ever going to the office in person. This trend is very likely to continue and grow.
What will help Engagement Directors increase their earning potential?
Jeff Bates: The same thing will help people in any field continue to increase their earning potential as in the past. If an employee can find a way to differentiate themselves in a positive manner and make themselves valuable or even invaluable to their company, they should see increased earnings potential. Learning a foreign language, computer skills such as Excel, good math skills, and the ability to communicate will prove to be extremely important in advancing one's career.
What will help Engagement Directors increase their earning potential?
Weichu Xu Ph.D.: We believe the bachelor degree is only give students the general knowledge to begin their career. Soft skills(good communication, leadership and team work), project management knowledge and data analysis, etc., are very important to the students' success. Google had a project showed its employees are more successful because of their soft skills.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Engagement Directors?
Joshua Ray Ph.D.: The COVID response for graduates and for businesses generally is still uncertain but early indications suggest thinking about remote work, leveraging of technology, and entrepreneurial/intrapreneurial inclinations have changed considerably and are likely to persist. Folks who are entering the workforce post-COVID will have to develop a level of comfort working in distributed teams, relying on virtual tools, and initiating and developing innovation.
What's a good job out of college for Engagement Directors?
Joshua Ray Ph.D.: A considerable amount of anecdotal evidence suggests more people are considering entrepreneurial ventures as COVID uncovered some of the faults in relying on employers for job security. Other pressing issues, including environmental, healthcare, and sustainability concerns, suggest related fields will see growth in the coming years. Additionally, a specific need for supply chain contributors is imminent because of the tremendous strain COVID put on distribution channels and the significant rise in web-based commerce.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Engagement Director job market given the pandemic?
Lisa Cooley: Obviously, we are seeing a lot more flexibility in terms of virtual work. A lot of the jobs I have seen allow for their employees to work remotely (at least a portion of the time).
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Engagement Directors?
Jay Walker Ph.D.: Relative to other recessions, this downturn in GDP was self-imposed from the lockdowns and other preventative measures rather than a shock to aggregate demand. GDP and other economic measures have rebounded quickly as restrictions have been lifted. The productive capability of the country doesn't appear to have been drastically affected by the lockdowns, and since the number of deaths was relatively low compared to other historical pandemics the size of the workforce hasn't been greatly affected. Moving forward, the impact will likely be small as the labor market looks relatively healthy and unemployment rates are still relatively low compared to historical measures.
Graduating into a recession has been shown to be detrimental to recent graduates over time as the initial salary many graduates receive sets a trajectory to build from over the course of a career. Simply, the first salary sets a base to build from and while the past year has been difficult economically for many, I remain optimistic for the near to medium term with inflation as my biggest fear over that horizon. My biggest concern for the longer term is the situation with budget deficits and the national debt in the United States and other developed economies.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Engagement Directors?
Jay Walker Ph.D.: At least within economics and related fields, I believe the ability to work with data is imperative moving forward. So many processes generate data now and the ability to capture, synthesize, and make sense of data will be important in the years to come. If graduates can do this they can be of great value to prospective employers.
What will help Engagement Directors increase their earning potential?
Jay Walker Ph.D.: I believe answer to number two is a good response to number three. There is an increasing importance in the ability to work with and understand data. Economics offers a framework to view the world, but through the lens of understanding data.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Engagement Directors?
Dr. Mary Rydesky: What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact on your job prospects? Emphases on project management and strategic thinking have been joined by certifications in soft skills that support diversity and cultural awareness. Graduates do need technical skills, but with the shift to remote teams and work from home environments pushed the curve. Now, grads need experience in applying their tech skills from a distance.
What will help Engagement Directors increase their earning potential?
Dr. Mary Rydesky: What will help people in your field increase their earning potential? In most fields, developing a portfolio of projects has high potential. For employers, concrete evidence of experience is a strong influencer when selecting new employees. Any student who can complete an internship or who works while in school has an advantage in this regard. If I can ascertain that an applicant has the knowledge, skill, and abilities as tested by measurable experience, I am not only more interested in the hiring potential, I am likely to be competitive in salary offers.
What will help Engagement Directors increase their earning potential?
Harlan Spotts Ph.D.: In marketing, developing digital capabilities is extremely important. Marketing was on the forefront of the digital transition in business. With the amount of commerce that has shifted to the web marketers have to be comfortable with living in the digital space. This will demand new and different strategies. Marketers have always needed to be effective communicators, but now it is not just being a great closer. Marketers need to be effective communicators in writing (text, email, etc.) and verbal (person to person live, as well as person to person online)
Students need to start in college developing skills to be successful. It was interesting, we, in the College of Business, were talking about developing student competency in remote work before the pandemic hit last year. The pandemic accelerated our work, and we are in the process now of approving a certificate in remote work that any undergraduate business student can earn. It is designed to develop those competencies that will be critical for success in the "new normal."
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Engagement Directors?
Ira Harris Ph.D.: As with any major economic or social occurrence, new graduates need to dig deep, draw from their inherent resilience, and be ready to potentially pivot. The impact of our current situation can hopefully be a positive one that encourages students to keep an open mind and broaden their understanding of career options and job functions. It's incumbent on all of us to think outside the box and consider both employers and jobs that might be outside our comfort zone, especially at times like these. The processes of networking and being recruited will endure, at least for a while, though we may see that the virtual environment allows students to scale their networks even faster. Employers are also learning that they can cast a much wider net in a fraction of the time to connect with schools and students who previously may not have been on their radar.
What's a good job out of college for Engagement Directors?
Ira Harris Ph.D.: It's important to keep in mind that for most graduates, their first job out of college will most certainly not be their last, so students should think of an early or entry-level job as a continuation of their skill building and academic enrichment. By identifying a portfolio that contains tasks and duties that will lead to expertise and increase their marketability, students can prepare themselves to ladder into the next phase(s) of a career trajectory. A job that allows for geographic flexibility, varied work hours, and application and expansion of technical acumen should be a safe bet. These components cross a variety of industries, so students shouldn't feel inhibited or limited to certain functions. Over the last several years, we've noticed a drastic decline in jobs that require employees to be consistently hands-on and "sit in one space."
What technical skills for an Engagement Director stand out to employers?
Ira Harris Ph.D.: Graduates must not be complacent and assume their skill base will endure over a long period; they must continue to engage and learn in order to understand changes in the landscape and add value. Beyond listing specific computer software or hardware skills, we know from working so closely with employers to place our students that they are looking for students who possess excellent communication skills - including technical communication. Along the lines of communicating, employers seek graduates with the ability to analyze and succinctly synthesize sometimes ambiguous information. Finally, showcasing flexibility and an interest in learning will be important to employers.
What will help Engagement Directors increase their earning potential?
Richard Tate: Sales is transitioning from a "problem solving" focus to a "teaching" focus. Great sales professionals today are able to teach their clients something that the client didn't know about their product, service, competition, market, business environment, etc. Through technology and "ask Google," most professional buyers can research and gain 60-80% of the knowledge that they need to make a buying decision.
That leaves only a 20% to 40% space for a salesperson to have an impact, and that space must be filled with new ideas and new knowledge that will assist the buyer in making an informed decision. Much of business-to-business sales today is very technical and expensive. Wrong technology decisions carry far greater risk to a company today. The wrong application can quickly turn any competitive advantage over to a competitor and with today's "sticky" technologies, you may never get that customer back.
Being an expert in your field and having the boldness to challenge your buyer's thoughts and show them a different way, is how salespeople can best increase their earning potential.
What general advice would you give to an Engagement Director?
Stephanie Dellande: Most likely, some 2020 graduates are feeling discouraged about their future. Particularly for those in fields in which job opportunities are generally less abundant, e.g., communication, psychology, majority of the humanities. Young adults, ages 18-35 years, have experienced and/or are experiencing, directly or indirectly, some of the country's most difficult times, the great recession December 2007 - June 2009, for many much longer, and now the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020. Fortunately, or unfortunately, Congress has a significant role in determining the timeline of the fate of COVID-19 and a thriving economy. While the well-being (physical, financial, emotional, educational) of the American people is top of mind for this administration, if the economy is going to recover in a more expedient way, congress ultimately must agree to the administration's proposed recommendations, bills. If they do, recent graduates will likely be in good stead. It would be in the best interest of graduates to take a mindful approach (Celsi, Nelson, Dellande, Gilly, 2017) to their career. While the economy is in a state of collapse, young adults may have a difficult time launching their career. However, food for thought, accepting most any work although it may not be in a preferred field is suggested. Also recommended, while in a less desirable position, take advantage of or create opportunities to perform tasks related or only tangentially related to an aspirational career. Doing so will likely go a long way in helping to realize an ideal position.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Engagement Directors?
Geraldo Matos: I have a strong bias towards coursework that involves experiential learning, whatever the topic, which is a distinctive part of a Roger Williams University education. At RWU, we do that in many marketing courses but particularly in our advertising classes, where students often work with local start-ups, putting into practice the insights they gleaned from traditional learning. This activity, as well as participation by our students in the National Student Advertising Competition positions them to graduate with not only the knowledge necessary to succeed in the marketplace, but a portfolio of their work that is tangible evidence of their prowess.
As for certifications, Google Ad and Google Analytics are great starting points. Others include Facebook Blueprint, Hootsuite, and HubSpot. Branding matters in marketing and these are great brands to have on your resume.
What soft skills should all Engagement Directors possess?
Geraldo Matos: First and foremost, I think it's resiliency and adaptability. Need to work remotely? Okay, we've done that. Need to change strategy on the fly due to the pandemic? We can do that, too! Being up for the next challenge is critical.
Another critical soft skill is resourcefulness. Figure it out. Your boss will probably be willing to help you, but she also likely has a lot on her plate. Not stopping at the first hurdle (or second or third) you encounter, but rather taking the initiative and trying to figure out how to solve the issue/problem will earn you great respect, and at some point, more responsibility.
Finally, while it's not really a soft skill, I also think having a bent towards being a lifetime learner is important. Your degree is a critical foundation. The marketing world, however, is changing at an ever-increasing rate. Young graduates must understand that they'll need to stay committed to keeping up with the latest technology throughout their career.