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University relations director vs public relations manager

The differences between university relations directors and public relations managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a university relations director and a public relations manager. Additionally, a university relations director has an average salary of $95,885, which is higher than the $91,426 average annual salary of a public relations manager.

The top three skills for a university relations director include marketing campaigns, project management and investor relations. The most important skills for a public relations manager are press releases, web content, and pr campaigns.

University relations director vs public relations manager overview

University Relations DirectorPublic Relations Manager
Yearly salary$95,885$91,426
Hourly rate$46.10$43.95
Growth rate8%8%
Number of jobs23,14335,273
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 73%Bachelor's Degree, 79%
Average age4242
Years of experience44

What does a university relations director do?

University Relations Directors manage the company's partnership with schools. They are employed by companies with businesses that cater to universities, colleges, or other related academic institutions. They handle the group that works as account managers or act as account managers themselves. They are in charge of setting their department's targets. They also create strategies to meet their goals. University Relations Directors should have a wide network. They should know how to create professional relationships with clients, maintain clients, and ensure customer loyalty. University Relations Directors should be familiar with the current trends in the academe and their business field.

What does a public relations manager do?

A public relations manager is responsible for monitoring the public relations department to boost its brand image and attract potential clients through press releases and media coverage. They work closely with the marketing team, developing marketing campaigns and promotional strategies for creating brand awareness. Public relations managers maintain the company's presence on various social media platforms, responding to the customers' inquiries and concerns regarding the company's goods and services. A public relations manager must have excellent communication and leadership skills, especially in identifying business opportunities to increase revenues and profitability.

University relations director vs public relations manager salary

University relations directors and public relations managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

University Relations DirectorPublic Relations Manager
Average salary$95,885$91,426
Salary rangeBetween $56,000 And $163,000Between $64,000 And $128,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CALas Vegas, NV
Highest paying stateNevadaNevada
Best paying companyNikeGoogle
Best paying industry-Technology

Differences between university relations director and public relations manager education

There are a few differences between a university relations director and a public relations manager in terms of educational background:

University Relations DirectorPublic Relations Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 73%Bachelor's Degree, 79%
Most common majorBusinessCommunication
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaNorthwestern University

University relations director vs public relations manager demographics

Here are the differences between university relations directors' and public relations managers' demographics:

University Relations DirectorPublic Relations Manager
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 51.7% Female, 48.3%Male, 34.5% Female, 65.5%
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, 5.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 5.1% White, 74.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage16%16%

Differences between university relations director and public relations manager duties and responsibilities

University relations director example responsibilities.

  • Draft all shareholder communications and 1993 annual report/Form 10-K; manage registrar/transfer agent activities and relationship with NASDAQ.
  • Experience in managing stock splits, odd-lot buybacks, proxy fights, annual meetings, litigation settlements and securities offerings.
  • Hire, train and manage play-by-play broadcasters guaranteeing a professional and informative listening experience.
  • Initiate and execute successful programs to encourage alumni attendance, involvement and donations.
  • Maintain CRM database used for benefactor tracking, financial reporting and marketing-driven fundraising efforts.
  • Establish automation and integration with CRM databases that enable accurate audience segmentation and time responses.
  • Show more

Public relations manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage social media - provide content ideas, monitor FB and Instagram activity.
  • Manage events and promotions; create Christmas event, manage twitter account and make marketing plans.
  • Lead a successful rebranding effort to transition the organization into a premier corporate training provider in SoCal.
  • Lead a rebranding and revitalization of the intranet by focusing on improving internal communication, search capabilities, and branding elements.
  • Interview featured alumni, manage copywriting staff and editorial calendar, and coordinate photography.
  • Maintain strong working relationships across all departments to manage successful on-site opportunities, content and multimedia asset development and spokesperson requests.
  • Show more

University relations director vs public relations manager skills

Common university relations director skills
  • Marketing Campaigns, 25%
  • Project Management, 22%
  • Investor Relations, 7%
  • Investment Community, 4%
  • Website Content, 3%
  • Professional Development, 3%
Common public relations manager skills
  • Press Releases, 20%
  • Web Content, 5%
  • Pr Campaigns, 4%
  • Marketing Campaigns, 4%
  • Digital Marketing, 4%
  • Facebook, 3%

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