What does an account executive/sales manager do?
An Account Executive/Sales Manager manages client accounts, building positive client relationships in the process. Part of their job is to secure sales, which requires them to conduct research and analysis to find new business and client opportunities, generate leads, offer products and services to clients through calls and correspondence, arrange appointments, and process payments. There are instances where they must assist clients by resolving issues and concerns, ensuring client satisfaction. Moreover, they are also responsible for developing sales plans and strategies while implementing the company's policies and regulations among staff.
Account executive/sales manager responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real account executive/sales manager resumes:
- Educate on services offer and options recommend for achieving best ROI, base on desire result.
- Manage and coordinate daily sales activities through target cold calling and telemarketing.
- Develop and maintain strong client relationships within healthcare vertical market.
- Negotiate SCM and CRM solution services contract terms and conditions with senior executives.
- Evangelize Talisma CRM solutions through sales and training activities while cultivating and maintaining relationships with existing accounts.
- Research and target core market for individually schedule events in healthcare, telecommunications, e-commerce, wireless and information technologies.
- Channele marketing through the establishment of international distributors servicing Mexico (Hermosillo, Mexicali, and Tijuana) and Korea.
- Review clients existing advertising strategies & ROI and recommend solutions for under-performing marketing campaigns.
- Develop new accounts while maintaining and upselling existing accounts.
Account executive/sales manager skills and personality traits
We calculated that 13% of Account Executive/Sales Managers are proficient in Account Executives, Product Knowledge, and Customer Service. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Customer-service skills.
We break down the percentage of Account Executive/Sales Managers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Account Executives, 13%
Managed staffing, sales training, development of account executives, customer service representatives and administrative support personnel.
- Product Knowledge, 9%
Develop thorough understanding of customer needs and apply product knowledge to deliver customized software technology solutions.
- Customer Service, 9%
Managed a staff of fourteen inside sales/customer service representatives and one pricing coordinator, covering fifteen districts and two satellite locations.
- Sales Process, 8%
Stayed current with insurance practices and policies and perform numerous administrative functions including post sales processes and expense reporting.
- Sales Professionals, 7%
Managed daily operations, supporting six sales professionals.
- Account Management, 5%
Created and implemented imaginative sales skills, business plans, account management and partnerships to revive American Medical Association Credentialing Products.
Common skills that an account executive/sales manager uses to do their job include "account executives," "product knowledge," and "customer service." You can find details on the most important account executive/sales manager responsibilities below.
Analytical skills. One of the key soft skills for an account executive/sales manager to have is analytical skills. You can see how this relates to what account executive/sales managers 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/sales manager resume shows how account executive/sales managers use analytical skills: "assist the sales team with analysis, budget planning and assortment planning for product development. "
Communication skills. Another essential skill to perform account executive/sales manager duties is communication skills. Account executive/sales managers responsibilities require that "sales managers need to work with colleagues and customers, so they must be able to communicate clearly." Account executive/sales managers also use communication skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "direct and indirect sales of telecommunication technology solutions to enterprise, third party and carrier customers. "
Customer-service skills. account executive/sales managers are also known for customer-service skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to account executive/sales manager responsibilities, because "when helping to make a sale, sales managers must listen and respond to the customer’s needs." An account executive/sales manager resume example shows how customer-service skills is used in the workplace: "grow new customers through business searches, phone calls, emails, mass mailings, and direct sales calls. "
Leadership skills. For certain account executive/sales manager responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "leadership skills." The day-to-day duties of an account executive/sales manager rely on this skill, as "sales managers must be able to evaluate how their sales staff performs and must develop strategies for meeting sales goals." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what account executive/sales managers do: "lead a team of insurance account executives consistantly delivering on sales and stretch goals through leadership, team building and marketing. "
The three companies that hire the most account executive/sales managers are:
- The RealReal29 account executive/sales managers jobs
- Toshiba America Business Solutions13 account executive/sales managers jobs
- Robert Half3 account executive/sales managers jobs
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Compare different account executive/sales managers
Account executive/sales manager vs. Sales/field sales manager
Sales or Field Sales Managers oversee the group in charge of conducting sales activities outside of the office or company branches. They manage field sales employees by hiring and training them. They also set goals on a weekly or monthly basis. They provide strategic direction to ensure that these goals are met. They monitor the performance of the team and identify areas for improvement. They would then create programs to address these challenges. Field Sales Managers should be familiar with the company's target market. They should also be familiar with the scope of area operations. This would help them create strategies in the context of their target market. Field sales managers should have a strong sales background and a determined attitude.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of an account executive/sales manager are more likely to require skills like "account executives," "sales process," "sales professionals," and "real estate." On the other hand, a job as a sales/field sales manager requires skills like "lead generation," "training sessions," "powerpoint," and "market intelligence." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Sales/field sales managers tend to make the most money working in the professional industry, where they earn an average salary of $80,605. In contrast, account executive/sales managers make the biggest average salary, $51,472, in the media industry.On average, sales/field sales managers reach similar levels of education than account executive/sales managers. Sales/field sales managers are 2.3% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Account executive/sales manager vs. Inside sales account manager
An inside sales account manager oversees the operations and workforce performance within an inside sales team, ensuring efficiency and profit growth. Their duties revolve around monitoring sales progress, devising new strategies to identify new business and marketing opportunities, maintaining records of all transactions, identifying inconsistencies and errors, performing corrective measures, producing sales forecasts, and supervising accounts. Furthermore, as a manager, it is essential to lead and encourage the team to reach sales targets, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real account executive/sales manager resumes. While account executive/sales manager responsibilities can utilize skills like "account executives," "sales professionals," "real estate," and "business sales," inside sales account managers use skills like "crm," "powerpoint," "salesforce," and "outbound calls."
Inside sales account managers earn a higher average salary than account executive/sales managers. But inside sales account managers earn the highest pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $80,276. Additionally, account executive/sales managers earn the highest salaries in the media with average pay of $51,472 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Inside sales account managers tend to reach similar levels of education than account executive/sales managers. In fact, 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/sales manager vs. Commercial account manager
A commercial account manager's role is to offer products and services to businesses and firms, building positive relationships to establish a strong client base. Their responsibilities often revolve around performing research and market analysis to find sales opportunities, devising strategies to identify client needs, and maintaining records of all data and transactions. They may also reach out to potential clients through calls and correspondence, even arrange appointments to discuss products and negotiate sales. Furthermore, as a commercial account manager, it is essential to lead and encourage the workforce, all while adhering to the company's policies and regulations.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, an account executive/sales manager is likely to be skilled in "account executives," "sales professionals," "real estate," and "sales reps," while a typical commercial account manager is skilled in "crm," "cam," "strong customer service," and "property management."
Commercial account managers earn the highest salary when working in the manufacturing industry, where they receive an average salary of $61,085. Comparatively, account executive/sales managers have the highest earning potential in the media industry, with an average salary of $51,472.Most commercial account managers achieve a similar degree level compared to account executive/sales managers. For example, they're 1.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Account executive/sales manager vs. Territory account manager
Territory account managers are sales professionals who take responsibility for the maintenance of customer relationships. These managers learn how clients do business and establish a better understanding of customer interaction. They generate sales with client accounts using techniques such as cross-selling and upselling. It is their job to ensure that their clients receive the requested services and products on time. They also maintain long-term account relationships. The core skills for this job include strong communication skills, leadership skills, and attention to detail.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between account executive/sales managers and territory account managers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, an account executive/sales manager might have more use for skills like "account executives," "sales professionals," "real estate," and "business sales." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of territory account managers require skills like "crm," "salesforce," "customer satisfaction," and "work ethic. "
In general, territory account managers earn the most working in the technology industry, with an average salary of $79,428. The highest-paying industry for an account executive/sales manager is the media industry.In general, territory account managers hold similar degree levels compared to account executive/sales managers. Territory account managers are 1.7% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of account executive/sales manager
Updated January 8, 2025
