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Senior event manager vs director of events

The differences between senior event managers and directors of events can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a senior event manager and a director of events. Additionally, a senior event manager has an average salary of $91,373, which is higher than the $65,971 average annual salary of a director of events.

The top three skills for a senior event manager include digital marketing, customer service and event management. The most important skills for a director of events are customer service, event management, and customer satisfaction.

Senior event manager vs director of events overview

Senior Event ManagerDirector Of Events
Yearly salary$91,373$65,971
Hourly rate$43.93$31.72
Growth rate18%18%
Number of jobs8,8558,520
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 79%Bachelor's Degree, 77%
Average age3838
Years of experience22

What does a senior event manager do?

A senior event manager's role is to spearhead different events, focusing on its planning and execution to ensure that everything runs smoothly in adherence to the goals and budgets. Their responsibilities typically revolve around meeting with clients to discuss their needs and preferences, managing the workforce, and coordinating with suppliers, caterers, photographers, designers, and other external agencies. They must also update clients regularly, monitor the progress of all procedures, and resolve issues promptly and efficiently. Furthermore, they must lead and encourage the workforce to meet goals, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

What does a director of events do?

An event director or director of the event is responsible for organizing a successful execution of an event. This job is demanding and involves a varied range of tasks and obligations, from planning and overseeing the cast and crew recruited, supervise training for effective execution of the event. They manage how to effectively deal with people from staff and crew to sponsors, and talents, especially in tight schedules and difficult circumstances. Moreover, the event director is the representative of the event when dealing with the benefactors of the event, media group for promotion coverage, and people outside the industry.

Senior event manager vs director of events salary

Senior event managers and directors of events have different pay scales, as shown below.

Senior Event ManagerDirector Of Events
Average salary$91,373$65,971
Salary rangeBetween $61,000 And $136,000Between $38,000 And $112,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WABoston, MA
Highest paying stateWashingtonMassachusetts
Best paying companyNational Governors AssociationCrowdStrike
Best paying industryRetailTechnology

Differences between senior event manager and director of events education

There are a few differences between a senior event manager and a director of events in terms of educational background:

Senior Event ManagerDirector Of Events
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 79%Bachelor's Degree, 77%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeSan Diego State UniversitySan Diego State University

Senior event manager vs director of events demographics

Here are the differences between senior event managers' and directors of events' demographics:

Senior Event ManagerDirector Of Events
Average age3838
Gender ratioMale, 33.4% Female, 66.6%Male, 34.1% Female, 65.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 16.3% Asian, 5.9% White, 61.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 11.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 16.2% Asian, 5.9% White, 61.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage16%16%

Differences between senior event manager and director of events duties and responsibilities

Senior event manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage attendee database for hotel rooming list and transportation manifests, including room blocks and VIP arrangements.
  • Advise, manage, supervise, and coordinate all special events, programs, ceremonies and VIP visits.
  • Manage all aspects of these events and act as onsite manager to ensure meeting are delivered effectively and professionally.
  • Prepare contracts, BEOs and restaurant group reservations and distribute to appropriate managers.
  • Create and maintain all event paperwork, including BEOs, event contracts, deposits and payments.
  • Challenge to continually identify new and innovative ways of executing event solutions, while minimizing marketing spend, and maximizing ROI.
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Director of events example responsibilities.

  • Manage a team of employees with responsibilities of 40,000 sq.
  • Create, update and manage donor databases, invitation and RSVP lists, and seating charts.
  • Conduct ROI analysis to ensure effective allocation of corporate funds and staffing resources to achieve business and sales objectives.
  • Manage weekly BEO meetings to discuss the upcoming events with other department heads to ensure the proper execution of all events.
  • Maximize revenue by upselling and managing clients' budgets effectively.
  • Manage all aspects of these events and act as onsite manager to ensure meeting are delivered effectively and professionally.
  • Show more

Senior event manager vs director of events skills

Common senior event manager skills
  • Digital Marketing, 11%
  • Customer Service, 10%
  • Event Management, 9%
  • Event Planning, 8%
  • Event Production, 6%
  • Audio Visual, 6%
Common director of events skills
  • Customer Service, 15%
  • Event Management, 8%
  • Customer Satisfaction, 7%
  • Event Planning, 7%
  • Audio Visual, 6%
  • Booking, 6%

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