Validation manager vs quality assurance director

The differences between validation managers and quality assurance 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 validation manager and a quality assurance director. Additionally, a quality assurance director has an average salary of $140,937, which is higher than the $127,882 average annual salary of a validation manager.

The top three skills for a validation manager include project management, QC and FDA. The most important skills for a quality assurance director are continuous improvement, quality standards, and oversight.

Validation manager vs quality assurance director overview

	Validation Manager	Quality Assurance Director
Yearly salary	$127,882	$140,937
Hourly rate	$61.48	$67.76
Growth rate	3%	3%
Number of jobs	14,200	66,888
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 71%	Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Average age	48	48
Years of experience	6	6

What does a validation manager do?

A Validation Manager oversees and validates manufacturing plants' daily operations, ensuring compliance with standards and regulations. They often inspect information technology systems and machinery, review specifications and documentation, gather and analyze feedback, and observe various areas' maintenance procedures. It is also their responsibility to manage validation teams, supervising them while implementing policies and regulations. Moreover, a Validation Manager develops validation plans for various facilities and produces detailed reports, along with recommendations and conclusions.

What does a quality assurance director do?

The job of a quality assurance (QA) director is to oversee all QA functions across the company. Your duties typically include working closely with other department heads to deliver high-quality products on time, hiring managers and analysts, and establishing and maintaining a quality system to make sure that company guidelines and regulatory standards are met. Additionally, you will be responsible for ensuring quality by monitoring, appraising job results, and planning. You are also expected to maintain technical and professional knowledge by reviewing professional publications, participating in professional associations, and attending workshops.

Validation manager vs quality assurance director salary

Validation managers and quality assurance directors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Validation Manager	Quality Assurance Director
Average salary	$127,882	$140,937
Salary range	Between $99,000 And $163,000	Between $97,000 And $203,000
Highest paying City	Boston, MA	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	Massachusetts	Alaska
Best paying company	Meta	Upstart Network
Best paying industry	Pharmaceutical	Professional

Differences between validation manager and quality assurance director education

There are a few differences between a validation manager and a quality assurance director in terms of educational background:

	Validation Manager	Quality Assurance Director
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 71%	Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Stanford University	University of Pennsylvania

Validation manager vs quality assurance director demographics

Here are the differences between validation managers' and quality assurance directors' demographics:

	Validation Manager	Quality Assurance Director
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 78.5% Female, 21.5%	Male, 63.8% Female, 36.2%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 3.8% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 12.9% Asian, 9.0% White, 69.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%	Black or African American, 3.8% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 13.0% Asian, 9.1% White, 69.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage	8%	8%

Differences between validation manager and quality assurance director duties and responsibilities

Validation manager example responsibilities.

Manage the CSV project that validate 76 within 17 months saving $1.0 MM out of $8.8MM.
Implement a regression process, and manage the execution of the regression testing.
Manage an SSD validation team responsible for testing and debugging the next generation PCIe SSD's.
Manage QA disposition and review of commercial stability material and conduct investigations on out-of-specification/anomalous results.
Coordinate site training requirements, deliver GMP and technical specific training, create and manage associated metrics.
Perform computer and control system validation for QC analytical instrumentation and manufacturing process systems.

Quality assurance director example responsibilities.

Manage the USDA inspection process including coordinating daily production and communicating with federal personnel.
Manage initial USDA regulatory visits, working collaboratively with USDA inspectors leading audit preparation and follow-up activities and reports.
Direct and coordinate quality and regulatory affairs activities to support new product development, improving GMP compliance.
Provide GxP support and oversight for all Genocea development programs.
Set and execute vision for QRM consistent with corporate objectives and ICH Q9.
Develop and update metrics within the QMS to provide meaningful feedback to stakeholders.

Validation manager vs quality assurance director skills

Common validation manager skills

Project Management, 7%
QC, 6%
FDA, 6%
Cleaning Validation, 5%
Regression, 5%
Regulatory Agencies, 4%

Common quality assurance director skills

Continuous Improvement, 8%
Quality Standards, 7%
Oversight, 5%
Test Automation, 5%
Scrum, 4%
FDA, 4%

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Validation Manager
Validation Manager vs Quality Assurance Director

Updated January 8, 2025

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