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Head of sales vs director of sales & business development

The differences between heads of sales and directors of sales & business development can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-8 years to become both a head of sales and a director of sales & business development. Additionally, a head of sales has an average salary of $166,100, which is higher than the $82,585 average annual salary of a director of sales & business development.

The top three skills for a head of sales include CRM, sales strategy and sales organization. The most important skills for a director of sales & business development are value proposition, sales cycle, and CRM.

Head of sales vs director of sales & business development overview

Head Of SalesDirector Of Sales & Business Development
Yearly salary$166,100$82,585
Hourly rate$79.86$39.70
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs112,592163,561
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 79%
Average age4646
Years of experience88

What does a head of sales do?

The head of sales is primarily responsible for overseeing the sales performance of a company and devising strategies to optimize practices. Their responsibilities typically revolve around monitoring the progress of every sales effort, setting objectives and deadlines, performing research and analysis to identify sales opportunities, and coordinating with different departments to improve procedures and reach sales targets. Furthermore, as the head of sales, it is essential to lead and encourage the workforce, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

What does a director of sales & business development do?

A director of sales & business development is responsible for monitoring the business and project plans, ensuring that the sales targets are met, according to project requirements and specifications. Directors of sales & business development perform data analysis to track business performance and identify opportunities to grow revenues and profits. They also coordinate with the clients and maintain healthy business relationships by enhancing their brand image on various platforms and reach the target audience. A director of sales & business development works closely with the marketing and sales team for public relations and marketing campaigns placement.

Head of sales vs director of sales & business development salary

Heads of sales and directors of sales & business development have different pay scales, as shown below.

Head Of SalesDirector Of Sales & Business Development
Average salary$166,100$82,585
Salary rangeBetween $110,000 And $248,000Between $38,000 And $176,000
Highest paying CityPortland, ORArlington, VA
Highest paying stateVermontOregon
Best paying companyFlexportMastercard
Best paying industryTechnologyTechnology

Differences between head of sales and director of sales & business development education

There are a few differences between a head of sales and a director of sales & business development in terms of educational background:

Head Of SalesDirector Of Sales & Business Development
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 79%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of Southern California

Head of sales vs director of sales & business development demographics

Here are the differences between heads of sales' and directors of sales & business development' demographics:

Head Of SalesDirector Of Sales & Business Development
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 66.5% Female, 33.5%Male, 81.5% Female, 18.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.2% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 4.1% White, 78.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 3.2% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 4.1% White, 78.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage7%7%

Differences between head of sales and director of sales & business development duties and responsibilities

Head of sales example responsibilities.

  • Coordinate social media work (Facebook, apps, and social post within the managed brands).
  • Create, and manage social media initiatives.including facebook, twitter, instagram, pinterest, and youtube.3.
  • Full responsibility for all sales activities for a start-up electronic commerce company managing electronic data flow in the healthcare industry.
  • Establish the group sales strategy, group ceiling, and booking calendar for groups.
  • Initiate and execute a customer service development program, CRM implementation and adoption.
  • Advance c-level and senior relationships with brand, agency, networks and publishers.
  • Show more

Director of sales & business development example responsibilities.

  • Lead all client communications, in order to exceed expectations, retain business and increase ROI for brand partners.
  • Lead centralized, electronic referral center coordinating post-acute service needs of patients discharging from multiple acute facilities in Arizona region.
  • Utilize SaaS to increase multimillion dollar business growth with portfolio of ~ clients.
  • Develop CRM, internal pipeline, and project management platform for reporting up and downstream.
  • Coach and supervise SaaS sales / product specialists to configure and coordinate technology deployment services.
  • Hire and direct a staff of five to teach consultative selling, digital products, new sales associate curriculum and CRM.
  • Show more

Head of sales vs director of sales & business development skills

Common head of sales skills
  • CRM, 8%
  • Sales Strategy, 7%
  • Sales Organization, 5%
  • Product Knowledge, 5%
  • Business Development, 5%
  • Sales Operations, 5%
Common director of sales & business development skills
  • Value Proposition, 6%
  • Sales Cycle, 6%
  • CRM, 5%
  • Revenue Growth, 5%
  • Leveraged, 5%
  • Lead Qualification, 4%

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