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Program director vs sports director

The differences between program directors and sports directors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a program director and a sports director. Additionally, a program director has an average salary of $80,664, which is higher than the $61,211 average annual salary of a sports director.

The top three skills for a program director include oversight, social work and patients. The most important skills for a sports director are soccer, CPR, and softball.

Program director vs sports director overview

Program DirectorSports Director
Yearly salary$80,664$61,211
Hourly rate$38.78$29.43
Growth rate8%8%
Number of jobs82,81013,106
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 79%
Average age4040
Years of experience66

What does a program director do?

Program directors are employees who oversee all aspects of a specific program in the company. They usually work in nonprofit organizations or are assigned to a department doing corporate social responsibility activities. Program directors ensure that the program is in line with the company's goals. They also ensure that the resources assigned to the program are properly managed and that all finances are accounted for. They create strategies to ensure the success of the program and communicate these to everyone involved. They lead the implementation and evaluation of the program.

What does a sports director do?

Sports directors update the management about anything relating to sports. They participate in strategic planning and policy-making as needed by the management. Besides preparing, monitoring, and updating yearly departments plans after consulting their colleagues, sports directors also manage daily administrative tasks like keeping accurate records, arranging sports fixtures and departmental timetables, and ensuring departmental efficiency. These professionals supervise the development teams, academy teams, training ground environment, and performance departments, including sports science and medical science.

Program director vs sports director salary

Program directors and sports directors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Program DirectorSports Director
Average salary$80,664$61,211
Salary rangeBetween $50,000 And $129,000Between $33,000 And $111,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CANew York, NY
Highest paying stateGeorgiaNew York
Best paying companyMayo ClinicUnivision Holdings, Inc.
Best paying industryTechnology-

Differences between program director and sports director education

There are a few differences between a program director and a sports director in terms of educational background:

Program DirectorSports Director
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 79%
Most common majorBusinessCommunication
Most common collegeStanford UniversityNorthwestern University

Program director vs sports director demographics

Here are the differences between program directors' and sports directors' demographics:

Program DirectorSports Director
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 41.4% Female, 58.6%Male, 83.8% Female, 16.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.0% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 6.4% White, 65.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 8.0% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 6.4% White, 65.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage14%14%

Differences between program director and sports director duties and responsibilities

Program director example responsibilities.

  • Manage personnel performing SAS programming, technical document preparation and quality assurance.
  • Manage program budgets and supervise staff to ensure that immunization and registry activities are successfully implement.
  • Manage direct support professionals serving adult populations for persons with mental health, developmental disabilities and children with autism.
  • Manage day-to-day oversight and management involving planning, programming, execution, distribution, and analysis for assign organizations budgets.
  • Implement client ADL, ISP, and behavior plans in a group home.
  • Organize schedule for swim lessons and kids camp.
  • Show more

Sports director example responsibilities.

  • Manage five beats as reporter for ABC affiliate, including medical correspondent.
  • Manage all programs, staff, and facilities within the sports and teen department to meet customer needs.
  • Lead presentations and discussions on topics such as leadership, teamwork, and dedication for club sports teams.
  • Manage adult basketball and volleyball programs.
  • Edit video clips to ensure quality highlights.
  • Provide station engineering for new FM stations.
  • Show more

Program director vs sports director skills

Common program director skills
  • Oversight, 9%
  • Social Work, 6%
  • Patients, 6%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • Mental Health, 5%
  • Program Management, 5%
Common sports director skills
  • Soccer, 10%
  • CPR, 8%
  • Softball, 6%
  • Volleyball, 6%
  • Sports Stories, 5%
  • NCAA, 5%

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