How to hire an account leader

How to hire an account leader, step by step

Here's a step-by-step account leader hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write an account leader job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new account leader
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does an account leader do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your account leader job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find an account leader for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

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   Hiring the perfect account leader also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   Here's a comparison of account leader salaries for various roles:

   Type of Account Leader	Description	Hourly rate
   Account Leader	Accountants and auditors prepare and examine financial records. They ensure that financial records are accurate and that taxes are paid properly and on time... Show more	$36-75
   General Ledger Accountant	A general ledger accountant is in charge of ensuring the accuracy of a company's overall accounting processes and information. It is their responsibility to communicate with different departments and officials to gather necessary data, conduct extensive audits, prepare documentation and reports, maintain financial data on the company ledger, and interpret financial information... Show more	$22-36
   Account Operations Manager	An account operations manager is responsible for handling project operations for client accounts and ensuring that the team meets the account requirements and specifications. Account operations managers handle budgeting and resource allocation to support business functions and maintain the highest client satisfaction... Show more	$20-46

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Account Management
   • Customer Service
   • Business Development
   • Project Management
   • Reconciliations
   • Digital Marketing
   • CPA
   • Client Relationships
   • CRM
   • Account Reconciliations
   • Customer Satisfaction
   • GAAP
   • ROI
   • Process Improvement

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Develop and manage CRM databases for major retailers.
   • Lead the design and development team for Claro Colombia, the largest telecommunication company in LatAm.
   • Develop RFP responses and consistently demonstrate flawless execution to achieve continual growth in each account.
   • Utilize PeopleSoft ERP financials, purchasing, inventory, and human resources modules.
   • Supervise team of 3 and serve as group liaison for all Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) documentation to external and internal auditors.
   • Analyze financial statements and prepare financial reports and reconcile bank statements and payroll accounts.

   More account leader duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your account leader job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. An account leader can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, account leaders' average salary in montana is 48% less than in new jersey.
   • Seniority. Entry-level account leaders 52% less than senior-level account leaders.
   • Certifications. An account leader with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in an account leader's salary.

   Average account leader salary

   $108,843yearly

   $52.33 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level account leader salary

   $75,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 18, 2025

   Average account leader salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$135,739	$65
   2	New York	$134,625	$65
   3	Washington	$128,924	$62
   4	Connecticut	$128,002	$62
   5	District of Columbia	$126,617	$61
   6	Massachusetts	$125,929	$61
   7	Virginia	$115,378	$55
   8	Arizona	$115,343	$55
   9	North Carolina	$114,183	$55
   10	Nevada	$108,556	$52
   11	Oregon	$106,873	$51
   12	Michigan	$102,121	$49
   13	Georgia	$101,274	$49
   14	Texas	$100,721	$48
   15	Pennsylvania	$99,457	$48
   16	Maryland	$95,592	$46
   17	Minnesota	$94,397	$45
   18	Indiana	$93,676	$45
   19	Florida	$92,538	$44
   20	Ohio	$91,717	$44

   Average account leader salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Point B	$156,829	$75.40
   2	Google	$156,330	$75.16	36
   3	Apple	$150,850	$72.52	14
   4	Accenture	$140,720	$67.65	738
   5	Palo Alto Networks	$139,975	$67.30	81
   6	Microsoft	$137,033	$65.88	21
   7	Centro	$136,239	$65.50
   8	Citi	$136,142	$65.45	5
   9	Pinterest	$135,479	$65.13	2
   10	American Tower	$131,709	$63.32	4
   11	Fanatics	$131,283	$63.12	12
   12	Intuit	$131,154	$63.05	20
   13	Comverse Technology	$129,103	$62.07
   14	Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc.	$127,388	$61.24	14
   15	Yahoo	$127,368	$61.23
   16	Instabase	$127,101	$61.11	4
   17	EMCOR Group	$126,473	$60.80	26
   18	Intel	$126,412	$60.77	13
   19	IBM	$125,950	$60.55	99
   20	Amazon	$124,855	$60.03	92

4. Writing an account leader job description

   A job description for an account leader role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's an account leader job description:

   Account leader job description example

   The Oncology Key Account Leader (OKAL) is a critical role in establishing Regeneron as a leader in Oncology and the primary point of contact with large Oncology Healthcare Institutions and Commercial Accounts including major Academic Centers, Group Community Practices, Integrated delivery networks, and other large Customer accounts which have a focus on Oncology and Hematology. Candidates should understand the Customer including the ability to engage with call points effectively and regularly across the account (e.g., Pharmacy, P&T committee members, Lung Cancer Section Head and Clinicians, key members of nursing staff, infusion center, etc.).This requires the ability to demonstrate leadership in working with other members of the Regeneron account team; experience in developing, monitoring and completing account plans; scientific and clinical proficiency to communicate approved and relevant product and disease information to key institutional decision-makers;
   
   You will lead an Account Team in developing, establishing, and actively leading the Key Account Plan. Develop and lead an integrated Oncology approach for product launches within each account. Proactively engage account team members to plan, successfully implement and evaluate launch activities within accounts. Work across the team to establish Customer Engagement plans and at appropriate times work with key Decision-Makers to advise request decisions on launch product inclusion.
   
   As an OKAL you will provide approved, disease and product information and resources to key decision- makers and stakeholders at the executive and implementation level within oncology accounts and conduct oncology-specific market profiling activities and proactively identifies business opportunities with assigned accounts and leads appropriate coordination of effort by the Oncology account team.
   
   Qualified candidates with have a bachelor's degree and/or master's degree from an accredited college or university and a minimum of 7 years of biopharmaceutical experience with primary focus in Field-Facing commercial roles (Sales, Reimbursement, Market Access, other Commercial) and/or Marketing. Strong preference for prior background in Immuno-Oncology and account management experience calling on and coordinating teams with large oncology academic centers, group practices and/or Integrated Disease Networks a plus.
   
   Candidates should bring knowledge of the payer environment and challenges within National/Regional payer markets including government programs, managed health care and evolving health care systems. An understanding of reimbursement challenges and opportunities of a buy-and-bill product required, or other relevant Oncology experience considered.
   
   Experience in the Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) is strongly preferred; experience in dermatologic cancer markets is a plus. Product launch experience and a minimum of 1-year prior experience leading teams, or direct leadership/management of a field-based Oncology team would be a plus.
   
   Ability to travel extensively based on geographical assignment and Customer Account distribution. Valid Driver's License is required. Territory will cover multiple states, which may also require travel by plane or other modes of transportation.
   
   Does this sound like you? Apply now to take your first steps toward living the Regeneron Way! We have an inclusive and diverse culture that provides amazing benefits including health and wellness programs, fitness centers and stock for employees at all levels!
   Regeneron is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion or belief (or lack thereof), sex, nationality, national or ethnic origin, civil status, age, citizenship status, membership of the Traveler community, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, familial status, marital or registered civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity status, gender identity, gender reassignment, military or veteran status, or any other protected characteristic in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to participate in the job application process. Please contact us to discuss any accommodations you think you may need.

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5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right account leader for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   To find account leader candidates, you can consider the following options:

   • Post your job opening on Zippia or other job search websites.
   • Use niche websites that focus on engineering and technology jobs, such as efinancialcareers, financialjobsweb.com, careerbank, financial job bank.
   • Post your job on free job posting websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with account leader candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new account leader

   Once you have selected a candidate for the account leader position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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