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The differences between executive directors and directors, special projects can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a director, special projects has an average salary of $129,916, which is higher than the $127,956 average annual salary of an executive director.
The top three skills for an executive director include oversight, patients and customer service. The most important skills for a director, special projects are project management, website content, and financial statements.
| Executive Director | Director, Special Projects | |
| Yearly salary | $127,956 | $129,916 |
| Hourly rate | $61.52 | $62.46 |
| Growth rate | -8% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 97,471 | 45,103 |
| Job satisfaction | 4.5 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Average age | 49 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 4 | - |
Executive directors are top management employees who usually function as a chief executive officer. This role is usually seen in non-profit organizations. Executive directors provide strategic direction to the organization, and they ensure that the organization's goals are actualized. They provide guidance to the employees and ensure that the employees have the organization's advocacies at the center of every project or program. They oversee the policies of the organization and create strategies that will bring the organization's programs forward. Executive directors are also responsible for making crucial decisions for the betterment of the organization.
The primary responsibility of a director of special projects is to ensure the successful conclusion of construction-related projects. Special project directors lead, organize, and perform corporate projects outside their duties. They utilize project management, business process management, and change management disciplines for timely and cost-effective initiatives delivery. It is part of their responsibilities to collaborate with business leaders and entrepreneurs to perform corporate programs and initiatives. They also manage process enhancements and various special programs.
Executive directors and directors, special projects have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Executive Director | Director, Special Projects | |
| Average salary | $127,956 | $129,916 |
| Salary range | Between $76,000 And $213,000 | Between $91,000 And $185,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | New York | Rhode Island |
| Best paying company | Genentech | Palo Alto Networks |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between an executive director and a director, special projects in terms of educational background:
| Executive Director | Director, Special Projects | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between executive directors' and directors, special projects' demographics:
| Executive Director | Director, Special Projects | |
| Average age | 49 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 47.0% Female, 53.0% | Male, 53.9% Female, 46.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.6% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 11.2% Asian, 5.0% White, 71.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 7.6% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 12.8% Asian, 8.2% White, 66.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 10% |