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Media relations director vs manager of corporate communications

The differences between media relations directors and managers of corporate communications can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a media relations director and a manager of corporate communications. Additionally, a media relations director has an average salary of $115,268, which is higher than the $84,161 average annual salary of a manager of corporate communications.

The top three skills for a media relations director include web content, spokesperson and crisis communications. The most important skills for a manager of corporate communications are corporate communications, press releases, and project management.

Media relations director vs manager of corporate communications overview

Media Relations DirectorManager Of Corporate Communications
Yearly salary$115,268$84,161
Hourly rate$55.42$40.46
Growth rate8%8%
Number of jobs32,39134,908
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 84%Bachelor's Degree, 80%
Average age4242
Years of experience44

What does a media relations director do?

A Media Relations Director spearheads and oversees the brand image and overall media relations of an organization. They are responsible for making advertising and marketing decisions, setting goals and guidelines, establishing budgets and timelines, managing and coordinating directors, liaising with internal and external parties, delegating tasks among teams, and developing strategies from planning to execution. A Media Relations Director leads and encourages staff to reach goals while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

What does a manager of corporate communications do?

A manager of corporate communications is primarily responsible for overseeing the external and internal communications in a company, ensuring everything is running smoothly. They are also responsible for managing marketing communications and public relations, and even developing various marketing content. There are also instances where they must handle a company's social media platforms, review communication materials, and provide progress reports of different projects and programs. Furthermore, as a manager, it is essential to lead and encourage team members, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

Media relations director vs manager of corporate communications salary

Media relations directors and managers of corporate communications have different pay scales, as shown below.

Media Relations DirectorManager Of Corporate Communications
Average salary$115,268$84,161
Salary rangeBetween $70,000 And $188,000Between $57,000 And $122,000
Highest paying CityPhiladelphia, PASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateNevadaCalifornia
Best paying companyPhoenix Children'sMeta
Best paying industryProfessionalManufacturing

Differences between media relations director and manager of corporate communications education

There are a few differences between a media relations director and a manager of corporate communications in terms of educational background:

Media Relations DirectorManager Of Corporate Communications
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 84%Bachelor's Degree, 80%
Most common majorCommunicationCommunication
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityUniversity of Pennsylvania

Media relations director vs manager of corporate communications demographics

Here are the differences between media relations directors' and managers of corporate communications' demographics:

Media Relations DirectorManager Of Corporate Communications
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 61.2% Female, 38.8%Male, 35.9% Female, 64.1%
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, 6.1% 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 media relations director and manager of corporate communications duties and responsibilities

Media relations director example responsibilities.

  • Hire, train and manage play-by-play broadcasters guaranteeing a professional and informative listening experience.
  • Initiate and supervise development of new media technologies including iPhone and iPad apps, Facebook, YouTube and mobile website.
  • Create daily posts on Facebook and engage with people there.
  • Develop and implement online SEM efforts optimizing conversion rate for e-commerce.
  • Direct internal communications tactics including newsletters, Intranet, domestic and international executive meetings, and special events.
  • Champion agency competency growth in SEO and digital marketing.
  • Show more

Manager of corporate communications example responsibilities.

  • Lead rebranding, development and launch of new corporate website.
  • Manage internal SOX testing procedures for the payroll, benefits and compensation departments.
  • Define and manage CRM parameters for marketing intelligence and apply to positioning and messaging strategies for the business.
  • Manage content across multiple channels, including corporate website, social media, Intranet (using SharePoint) and company newsletter.
  • Lead major rebranding project for key subsidiary, gaining critical executive support and participation concurrent with a multi-million dollar cost restructuring.
  • Create Intranet web pages using HTML programming.
  • Show more

Media relations director vs manager of corporate communications skills

Common media relations director skills
  • Web Content, 13%
  • Spokesperson, 8%
  • Crisis Communications, 4%
  • Press Conferences, 4%
  • Communications Strategies, 4%
  • Facebook, 4%
Common manager of corporate communications skills
  • Corporate Communications, 10%
  • Press Releases, 8%
  • Project Management, 6%
  • External Communications, 6%
  • Strategic Communications, 5%
  • Employee Engagement, 4%

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