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Account executive vs business development manager

The differences between account executives and business development managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a business development manager has an average salary of $100,769, which is higher than the $69,618 average annual salary of an account executive.

The top three skills for an account executive include customer service, CRM and healthcare. The most important skills for a business development manager are customer service, CRM, and healthcare.

Account executive vs business development manager overview

Account ExecutiveBusiness Development Manager
Yearly salary$69,618$100,769
Hourly rate$33.47$48.45
Growth rate5%10%
Number of jobs205,561215,309
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 78%Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Average age4439
Years of experience-10

What does an account executive do?

An account executive is responsible for supporting existing clients, closing client deals, and developing sales strategies to increase the company's sales and satisfaction. An account executive must be competitive enough to keep up with the constant changes in the sales industry, including the high demands of digital marketing, a different approach to product advertising, effective negotiation, and presentation skills. An account executive also requires excellent communication skills for the successful acquisition of client accounts and immediately resolve possible complaints as they arise.

What does a business development manager do?

A business development manager's duties include identifying business opportunities, developing effective models and strategies to improve business performance, searching for potential clients to generate income and attract partnerships. A business development manager must have extensive knowledge of the market trends and adjust strategies as needed to meet the needs of the client. Excellent communication, decision-making, critical thinking, and leadership skills are just some of the key factors that business development managers should possess to communicate and negotiate with the clients.

Account executive vs business development manager salary

Account executives and business development managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Account ExecutiveBusiness Development Manager
Average salary$69,618$100,769
Salary rangeBetween $44,000 And $109,000Between $67,000 And $151,000
Highest paying CityPortland, ORSan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateOregonCalifornia
Best paying companyHitachi VantaraShearman & Sterling
Best paying industryFinanceFinance

Differences between account executive and business development manager education

There are a few differences between an account executive and a business development manager in terms of educational background:

Account ExecutiveBusiness Development Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 78%Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Georgia

Account executive vs business development manager demographics

Here are the differences between account executives' and business development managers' demographics:

Account ExecutiveBusiness Development Manager
Average age4439
Gender ratioMale, 57.2% Female, 42.8%Male, 68.6% Female, 31.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.7% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 16.3% Asian, 5.6% White, 66.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 3.0% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 8.7% Asian, 8.2% White, 74.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage5%10%

Differences between account executive and business development manager duties and responsibilities

Account executive example responsibilities.

  • Create and manage Facebook and twitter accounts.
  • Have achieve Google certification for both SEM and SEO sales.
  • Lead proposal team in winning a $1MM RFP, turning around a key account relationship.
  • Manage all aspects of new FedEx implementations (automation set-up, operational support and training of customers).
  • Develop and manage networking, VoIP, IP/TV, video, cloud, wireless, and security/disaster recovery projects.
  • Source all leads by means of cold calling, leveraging linkedin, referrals, and upselling to existing customers.
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Business development manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage Seo of websites and campaigns.
  • Manage the provisioning and implementation of the cloud solutions for different customers.
  • Lead worldwide development for high traffic facilities; markets include Americas, Europe, Asia-Pacific.
  • Manage the global support team and are responsible for cost reduction for the UK ready meals facility.
  • Assist in leading a team of BDM's to achieve revenue, attrition, and value add service goals.
  • Leverage in-depth knowledge of complex manage security solutions as well as extensive technical knowledge of security hardware and software.
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Account executive vs business development manager skills

Common account executive skills
  • Customer Service, 9%
  • CRM, 6%
  • Healthcare, 5%
  • Sales Process, 5%
  • Salesforce, 4%
  • Work Ethic, 4%
Common business development manager skills
  • Customer Service, 8%
  • CRM, 7%
  • Healthcare, 5%
  • Business Relationships, 4%
  • Customer Relationships, 3%
  • Project Management, 3%