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Client partner vs director of client relations

The differences between client partners and directors of client relations can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-8 years to become a client partner, becoming a director of client relations takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a client partner has an average salary of $136,496, which is higher than the $116,480 average annual salary of a director of client relations.

The top three skills for a client partner include portfolio, cloud and CRM. The most important skills for a director of client relations are project management, client issues, and healthcare.

Client partner vs director of client relations overview

Client PartnerDirector Of Client Relations
Yearly salary$136,496$116,480
Hourly rate$65.62$56.00
Growth rate5%8%
Number of jobs89,83863,226
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Average age4642
Years of experience84

What does a client partner do?

A client partner specializes in assisting and building positive relationships with customers, ensuring satisfaction that will translate to sales. They are primarily responsible for reaching out to customers through calls and correspondence, arranging appointments and meetings, discussing the extent of opportunities with customers, resolving issues and concerns, and reporting progress to managers and supervisors. Moreover, a client partner may create specific programs and payment plans for clients, provide consultations, negotiate contracts, and assess risks, all while adhering to the policies and standards of the company.

What does a director of client relations do?

A director of client relations is responsible for maintaining healthy business partnerships with clients, offering the company's quality services to boost brand awareness for the target audience on various market platforms. Directors of client relations identify the clients' needs, as well as their long-term goals, to strategize business techniques and project management procedures that would help the clients reach their maximum objectives. They also handle budget allocation for different teams, ensuring that each department receives adequate resources for operations.

Client partner vs director of client relations salary

Client partners and directors of client relations have different pay scales, as shown below.

Client PartnerDirector Of Client Relations
Average salary$136,496$116,480
Salary rangeBetween $87,000 And $212,000Between $82,000 And $163,000
Highest paying CityHarrisburg, PASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying statePennsylvaniaWashington
Best paying companyDechertCambridge Associates
Best paying industryProfessionalTechnology

Differences between client partner and director of client relations education

There are a few differences between a client partner and a director of client relations in terms of educational background:

Client PartnerDirector Of Client Relations
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of Southern CaliforniaStanford University

Client partner vs director of client relations demographics

Here are the differences between client partners' and directors of client relations' demographics:

Client PartnerDirector Of Client Relations
Average age4642
Gender ratioMale, 69.0% Female, 31.0%Male, 45.2% Female, 54.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.2% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 4.1% White, 78.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 5.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 9.0% Asian, 5.1% White, 75.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage7%16%

Differences between client partner and director of client relations duties and responsibilities

Client partner example responsibilities.

  • Manage partner relationship with EMC and develop go-to-market strategies.
  • Require strong communication skills, sensitivity, compassion and ability to interpret and analyze insurance laws and scientific journals.
  • Lead and mentor UX, design, architects, developer and QA resources.
  • Manage partner relationship with EMC and develop go-to-market strategies.

Director of client relations example responsibilities.

  • Manage social media such as Facebook and LinkedIn to network and gain more exposure to the firm.
  • Develop RFP responses, participate in sales presentations, and manage major existing accounts such as Wal-Mart and Exxon-Mobil.
  • Manage projects for extensive keyword research and develop a comprehensive SEO strategy.
  • Join sales team to help with SaaS transformation.
  • Design and implement sales and marketing strategies that introduce the organization into the national group Medicare market.
  • Develop KPI standards for collectors and sales team base upon clients needs to promote efficiency and collection results.
  • Show more

Client partner vs director of client relations skills

Common client partner skills
  • Portfolio, 11%
  • Cloud, 10%
  • CRM, 8%
  • Analytics, 8%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • Project Management, 5%
Common director of client relations skills
  • Project Management, 9%
  • Client Issues, 7%
  • Healthcare, 6%
  • Account Management, 5%
  • Business Development, 5%
  • Client Relations, 4%

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