What does an account planner do?
An account planner is someone who works primarily with clients on how to improve their accounts, sales strategy, and marketing. The account planner creates, develops, and maintains clients' accounts to increase sales and make them profitable. Included in an account planner's task is to monitor competition, determine problems in the actual marketing campaign, provide insight into the market's status, and offer suggestions on how to improve. The account planner also communicates directly with the client and actively works with them to achieve success.
Account planner responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real account planner resumes:
- Guide production planning activities ranging from developing and revising production schedules, forecasting trends and customer demand, and managing logistics.
- Direct inbound or outbound logistics operations, such as transportation or warehouse activities, safety performance, or logistics quality management.
- Coordinate the quality control for clients' letters and mailings as well as ran data pulls and file selects for clients.
Account planner skills and personality traits
We calculated that 27% of Account Planners are proficient in Digital Marketing, Media Sales, and Nielsen. They’re also known for soft skills such as Detail oriented, Analytical skills, and Communication skills.
We break down the percentage of Account Planners that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Digital Marketing, 27%
Focused on identifying creative solutions to enhance digital marketing strategies to drive brand awareness and customer engagement for clients.
- Media Sales, 11%
Support Tribune 365 media sales national west coast team.
- Nielsen, 9%
Gather Strata and Nielsen data to obtain television programming information, i.e.
- Account Executives, 9%
Assist Account Executives in prospecting by identifying each day business development opportunities.
- PowerPoint, 4%
Performed weighted analysis of audience rating results using SPSS and Advanced Excel and created PowerPoint Presentations for media coverage.
- Creative Strategy, 3%
Consolidated the analytical data and qualitative insights for a beer brand supporting creative strategy development.
Most account planners use their skills in "digital marketing," "media sales," and "nielsen" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential account planner responsibilities here:
Detail oriented. One of the key soft skills for an account planner to have is detail oriented. You can see how this relates to what account planners do because "market research analysts must pay attention to minutiae to evaluate data." Additionally, an account planner resume shows how account planners use detail oriented: "created and updated detailed forecasting spreadsheets, revenue tracking data, sales performance, and other regional sales metrics. "
Analytical skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling account planner duties is analytical skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "market research analysts must evaluate large amounts of data and information related to market conditions." According to an account planner resume, here's how account planners can utilize analytical skills in their job responsibilities: "experience planning group distilled qualitative and quantitative consumer research data into concise, actionable insights used to create meaningful digital experiences. "
Communication skills. account planners are also known for communication skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to account planner responsibilities, because "market research analysts must be able to clearly convey information when gathering material, interpreting data, and presenting results to clients." An account planner resume example shows how communication skills is used in the workplace: "used qualitative research to inform strategic thinking into brand development and brand communication. "
The three companies that hire the most account planners are:
- Spectrum30 account planners jobs
- PVH4 account planners jobs
- American Electric Power2 account planners jobs
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Account planner vs. Marketing specialist
A marketing specialist's primary responsibility revolves around conducting thorough market research and analysis to acquire extensive knowledge and understanding of a brand and how it will work in the consumer market. They must determine and come up with strategies and utilize this to develop various programs or campaigns that would be vital in bringing more awareness to the brand, thus boosting sales and improving client base. Furthermore, a marketing specialist must also use their expertise to figure out new opportunities and trends that will work for the company.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of an account planner are more likely to require skills like "mri," "nielsen," "account executives," and "creative strategy." On the other hand, a job as a marketing specialist requires skills like "marketing campaigns," "project management," "email marketing," and "customer service." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Marketing specialists earn the highest salaries when working in the technology industry, with an average yearly salary of $64,666. On the other hand, account planners are paid more in the professional industry with an average salary of $73,529.marketing specialists tend to reach similar levels of education than account planners. In fact, marketing specialists are 0.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Account planner vs. Marketing assistant
A marketing assistant's general responsibility is to support the marketing programs and campaigns by sharing recommendations and useful insights to improve the brand's image. Marketing assistants' duties also include reaching out to other personnel for necessary files needed on promotional advertisements, assist the team in creating designs and developing content, publishing brochures for potential clients, analyzing sales reports, and researching the current market trends. A marketing assistant should have excellent organizational and time-management skills to meet deadlines and perform various tasks as required.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, account planner responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "digital marketing," "media sales," "mri," and "nielsen." Meanwhile, a marketing assistant has duties that require skills in areas such as "customer service," "marketing campaigns," "trade shows," and "email campaigns." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Marketing assistants may earn a lower salary than account planners, but marketing assistants earn the most pay in the finance industry with an average salary of $43,819. On the other hand, account planners receive higher pay in the professional industry, where they earn an average salary of $73,529.marketing assistants earn similar levels of education than account planners in general. They're 3.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Account planner vs. Research specialist
In a laboratory setting, a research specialist's responsibilities primarily revolve around conducting thorough research and analysis, producing extensive detailed reports, reviewing results, and coordinating with senior researchers and other laboratory personnel to ensure the accuracy of results. Furthermore, a research specialist may contribute their expertise to other publications and articles, train or supervise new researchers, and implement all laboratory guidelines and safety regulations at all times.
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 planner is likely to be skilled in "digital marketing," "media sales," "nielsen," and "account executives," while a typical research specialist is skilled in "data collection," "patients," "research projects," and "data analysis."
Research specialists earn the highest salary when working in the technology industry, where they receive an average salary of $75,769. Comparatively, account planners have the highest earning potential in the professional industry, with an average salary of $73,529.research specialists typically earn higher educational levels compared to account planners. Specifically, they're 7.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 4.7% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Account planner vs. Marketing analyst
A marketing analyst specializes in researching market conditions to develop strategies to boost sales and revenues. They are primarily responsible for analyzing competition and trends, identifying the organization's strengths and weaknesses, and determining potential opportunities. There may also be instances where they must train and lead staff, set goals and budgets, and produce presentations and reports. Furthermore, as a marketing analyst, they must share their expertise for the company's benefit while adhering to its vision and mission.
Types of account planner
Updated January 8, 2025











