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.
Account executive responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real account executive resumes:
- 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.
- Promote lead generation through search engine optimization (SEO) and additional media marketing techniques.
- Manage order processing using SalesForce CRM; carefully record all account communication to enhance follow-up capabilities.
- Spearhead business development and expansion opportunities by identifying new market entry points through demographic profiling and mapping analysis.
- Develop and generate new business relationships to sell services and commercial furnishings to municipalities, corporations, and healthcare facilities.
- Provide extensive instruction to clients using proprietary SaaS market research tools by demonstrating expert product knowledge in a presentation-style environment.
- Certify in Microsoft, VMware, Cisco and EMC.
- Facilitate meetings for partners, including Microsoft, Cisco, EMC and VMware.
- Provide design-build fiber Ethernet data and Internet solutions, wireless data and cable TV service.
- Partner with internal and client c-suite leadership teams to deliver on client Rx strategy needs.
Account executive skills and personality traits
We calculated that 9% of Account Executives are proficient in Customer Service, CRM, and Healthcare. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Leadership skills.
We break down the percentage of Account Executives that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Customer Service, 9%
Account Executive Responsible for building and maintaining relationships with executives of major corporations in my territory while providing exceptional customer service.
- CRM, 6%
Provided custom solutions for organizations to integrate customer feedback with their CRM system to improve customer experience and retention.
- Healthcare, 5%
Maintained a constant understanding of all United HealthCare products, services, and solutions.
- Sales Process, 5%
Utilized solution sales process to actively obtain new customers, increase existing customer utilization, and develop new market segments.
- Salesforce, 4%
Utilized SalesForce automation to effectively generate accurate sales forecasting, develop territory planning strategy, and produce detailed client reporting.
- Work Ethic, 4%
Demonstrate strong work ethic, competitive verbal and written communication skills to build business-to-business sector relationships.
Common skills that an account executive uses to do their job include "customer service," "crm," and "healthcare." You can find details on the most important account executive responsibilities below.
Analytical skills. One of the key soft skills for an account executive to have is analytical skills. You can see how this relates to what account executives do because "sales managers must collect and interpret complex data to target the most promising geographic areas and demographic groups, and determine the most effective sales strategies." Additionally, an account executive resume shows how account executives use analytical skills: "analyze business conditions and recommend strategies to proactively implement the necessary dialog to improve efficiency and maximize direct sales revenues. "
Communication skills. Another essential skill to perform account executive duties is communication skills. Account executives responsibilities require that "sales managers need to work with colleagues and customers, so they must be able to communicate clearly." Account executives also use communication skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "established relationships with potential residential customers through the direct sale of cable and communications products and services while achieving revenue goals. "
Leadership skills. account executives are also known for leadership skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to account executive responsibilities, because "sales managers must be able to evaluate how their sales staff performs and must develop strategies for meeting sales goals." An account executive resume example shows how leadership skills is used in the workplace: "promoted to sales management in 2001, providing leadership to six direct sales representatives. "
Customer-service skills. account executive responsibilities often require "customer-service skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "when helping to make a sale, sales managers must listen and respond to the customer’s needs." This resume example shows what account executives do with customer-service skills on a typical day: "direct sales and business development, including key account management, customer relationship development, and contract negotiations. "
The three companies that hire the most account executives are:
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Account executive vs. Marketing/sales representative
The job of marketing/sales representatives is to pitch a company's products and services to potential customers. They work to drive brand awareness through face-to-face consumer interaction. They are often considered as a liaison between sellers and buyers, providing information about products and services. They promote human relationships through marketing collateral distribution and communication. Other responsibilities include planning and implementing marketing campaigns, maintaining good relationships with vendors and venues, and promoting business expansion opportunities. This role requires a bachelor's degree in business administration, communications and marketing experience, excellent communication skills, and time management skills.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between account executives and marketing/sales representative. For instance, account executive responsibilities require skills such as "crm," "healthcare," "salesforce," and "work ethic." Whereas a marketing/sales representative is skilled in "customer relations," "sales rep," "twitter," and "client relationships." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Marketing/sales representatives tend to make the most money working in the finance industry, where they earn an average salary of $83,700. In contrast, account executives make the biggest average salary, $78,879, in the finance industry.marketing/sales representatives tend to reach similar levels of education than account executives. In fact, marketing/sales representatives are 1.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Account executive vs. Territory sales representative
A territory sales representative is responsible for selling goods and services, assisting customers with their inquiries and concerns, and monitoring the assigned area's sales reports. Territory sales representatives coordinate with the rest of the sales team to develop effective marketing strategies and promotional techniques to increase revenues and profitability. Territory sales representatives research current market trends to identify business opportunities to meet consumer demands and widen their services. A territory sales representative must have excellent knowledge of the sales disciplines and principles, managing the market approach to ensure customer satisfaction.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, account executive responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "healthcare," "salesforce," "customer relationships," and "powerpoint." Meanwhile, a territory sales representative has duties that require skills in areas such as "sales growth," "wine," "territory management," and "sales training." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Territory sales representatives earn similar levels of education than account executives in general. They're 1.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Account executive vs. Business development executive
A business development executive serves as a senior manager who drives company sales. Business development executives convince existing clients to buy more offerings and also source new clients. The focus of their job is on lead generation, prospect management, and customer acquisition. They collaborate with management in terms of sales objectives, planning, and prediction. The skills necessary for this job include customer service and relations, time management, strong written communication, and sales process experience.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from account executive resumes include skills like "product knowledge," "powerpoint," "business sales," and "patients," whereas a business development executive is more likely to list skills in "client relationships," "cloud," "client facing," and "value proposition. "
Business development executives earn the highest salary when working in the pharmaceutical industry, where they receive an average salary of $112,177. Comparatively, account executives have the highest earning potential in the finance industry, with an average salary of $78,879.business development executives typically earn higher educational levels compared to account executives. Specifically, they're 8.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Account executive vs. Account manager
Account managers are employees who act as the bridge between the company they represent and the client of the company. They are assigned to handle specific clients so that the company will be able to tailor-fit any product or service according to the clients' requirements. Account managers are responsible for maintaining a harmonious relationship between the two parties by ensuring that any agreement made is amenable to both the company and the client. They are also responsible for ensuring that the company will be able to provide the needs of the client within any limitation that the client may have. Account managers also ensure that the company's reputation and well-being are always considered in any dealings.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between account executives and account managers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, an account executive might have more use for skills like "salesforce," "customer relationships," "strong work ethic," and "business sales." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of account managers require skills like "payroll," "hr," "financial statements," and "customer retention. "
In general, account managers earn the most working in the technology industry, with an average salary of $76,412. The highest-paying industry for an account executive is the finance industry.account managers reach similar levels of education compared to account executives, in general. The difference is that they're 0.1% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of account executive
Updated January 8, 2025











