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Client partner vs director of sales

The differences between client partners and directors of sales can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-8 years to become both a client partner and a director of sales. Additionally, a client partner has an average salary of $136,496, which is higher than the $111,068 average annual salary of a director of sales.

The top three skills for a client partner include portfolio, cloud and CRM. The most important skills for a director of sales are sales process, customer service, and customer satisfaction.

Client partner vs director of sales overview

Client PartnerDirector Of Sales
Yearly salary$136,496$111,068
Hourly rate$65.62$53.40
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs89,83891,891
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 77%
Average age4646
Years of experience88

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 sales do?

A sales director is responsible for managing the sales operation of the team, ensuring that members comply with the sales strategies and procedures in meeting sales goals. Sales directors' duties include maintaining consistency of sales targets, providing reports and important updates for sales improvement, managing customers' inquiries and resolving complaints, launching new services to expand product offers, researching the current market trends, and improving sales plans. A sales director must have excellent leadership and decision-making skills to support and acknowledge the team's best efforts.

Client partner vs director of sales salary

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

Client PartnerDirector Of Sales
Average salary$136,496$111,068
Salary rangeBetween $87,000 And $212,000Between $73,000 And $168,000
Highest paying CityHarrisburg, PASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying statePennsylvaniaNew York
Best paying companyDechertMayo Clinic
Best paying industryProfessionalFinance

Differences between client partner and director of sales education

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

Client PartnerDirector Of Sales
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 77%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of Southern California

Client partner vs director of sales demographics

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

Client PartnerDirector Of Sales
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 69.0% Female, 31.0%Male, 69.4% Female, 30.6%
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, 3.2% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 4.1% White, 78.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage7%7%

Differences between client partner and director of sales 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 sales example responsibilities.

  • Lead the OEM business transformation.
  • Manage projects & action items for EVP.
  • Manage during periods of dynamic challenge and change relative to start-up, turnaround and revitalization situations.
  • Manage relationships with toll manufacturers and logistics providers to exceed cost reduction and inventory turn targets.
  • Cultivate and manage business relationships with wholesale distributors creating positive impact for newsstand product sell at retail.
  • Full responsibility for all sales activities for a start-up electronic commerce company managing electronic data flow in the healthcare industry.
  • Show more

Client partner vs director of sales skills

Common client partner skills
  • Portfolio, 11%
  • Cloud, 10%
  • CRM, 8%
  • Analytics, 8%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • Project Management, 5%
Common director of sales skills
  • Sales Process, 7%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • Customer Satisfaction, 6%
  • Sales Management, 6%
  • Healthcare, 5%
  • CRM, 4%

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