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Client partner vs sales manager

The differences between client partners and sales managers 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 sales manager. Additionally, a client partner has an average salary of $136,496, which is higher than the $73,952 average annual salary of a sales manager.

The top three skills for a client partner include portfolio, cloud and CRM. The most important skills for a sales manager are product knowledge, customer satisfaction, and sales performance.

Client partner vs sales manager overview

Client PartnerSales Manager
Yearly salary$136,496$73,952
Hourly rate$65.62$35.55
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs89,838119,066
Job satisfaction55
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
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 sales manager do?

Sales managers are responsible for leading the organization's sales team. They oversee the progress and performance of the whole team, set area assignments to team members, and set weekly or monthly quotas. Sales managers oversee training team members during onboarding and providing further coaching to help them achieve their goals. They manage the challenges that team members may meet and help mitigate any problems that come along the way. Sales managers also set the strategic direction of the sales team and follow through by ensuring that the team's activities are in line with the goals.

Client partner vs sales manager salary

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

Client PartnerSales Manager
Average salary$136,496$73,952
Salary rangeBetween $87,000 And $212,000Between $42,000 And $129,000
Highest paying CityHarrisburg, PAJersey City, NJ
Highest paying statePennsylvaniaNew Jersey
Best paying companyDechertCapgemini
Best paying industryProfessional-

Differences between client partner and sales manager education

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

Client PartnerSales Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of Southern California

Client partner vs sales manager demographics

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

Client PartnerSales Manager
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 69.0% Female, 31.0%Male, 68.7% Female, 31.3%
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 sales manager 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.

Sales manager example responsibilities.

  • Achieve proficiency in multitasking by performing multiple duties and managing differing responsibilities periodically.
  • Manage discount contracts, write up of add-ons, renewals, transfers of equities.
  • Manage and support one of the largest portfolios within the division and the largest in the Americas.
  • Manage website, updating product listings, enhancing SEO positioning, and maintaining overall site appearance and functionality.
  • Launch and manage the Americas outsourcing lead generation and qualification process.
  • Set all promotional activity, introduce new items and manage distributors in select markets.
  • Show more

Client partner vs sales manager skills

Common client partner skills
  • Portfolio, 11%
  • Cloud, 10%
  • CRM, 8%
  • Analytics, 8%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • Project Management, 5%
Common sales manager skills
  • Product Knowledge, 12%
  • Customer Satisfaction, 7%
  • Sales Performance, 6%
  • CRM, 5%
  • Sales Process, 4%
  • Work Ethic, 4%

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