What does a client relations specialist do?
A client relations specialist is primarily in charge of building positive relationships with clients by providing optimal services. Although the extent of their responsibilities depends on their company of employment, it typically includes handling customer calls and correspondence, offering products or services, discussing promotions or product specifications, answering inquiries, arranging appointments, resolving issues and concerns, and processing payments or refunds. Moreover, a client relations specialist conducts market research and analysis to identify the current trends and practices, aiming for client satisfaction.
Client relations specialist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real client relations specialist resumes:
- Manage calendars; compile account records; create PowerPoint presentations for vendors, customers and investors.
- Transition reporting and document storage process to an online SharePoint workspace for increase efficiency.
- Participate in training of new representatives by composing training manuals and PowerPoint presentations.
- Perform collection follow-up duties on specific financial classifications such as commercial insurance, Medicare and Medicaid claims.
- Educate clients regarding proper distributions according to IRS regulations.
Client relations specialist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 24% of Client Relations Specialists are proficient in Client Relations, Customer Service, and Data Entry. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Computer skills, and Interpersonal skills.
We break down the percentage of Client Relations Specialists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Client Relations, 24%
Improved client relationships by handling customer feedback data that identified problem areas and provide a better- personalized customer service.
- Customer Service, 8%
Communicate with insured customers to resolve inquires and concerns regarding product and administrative procedures while maintaining established customer service standard results.
- Data Entry, 7%
Performed data entry for new registered representatives utilizing company database.
- Client Facing, 6%
Dedicated client facing role supporting Key National Accounts pharmacy benefit programs.
- Inbound Calls, 4%
Answered a high number of inbound calls daily with a professional manner and business etiquette.
- Client Support, 4%
Monitored client support queue to ensure completion of requested tasks.
"client relations," "customer service," and "data entry" are among the most common skills that client relations specialists use at work. You can find even more client relations specialist responsibilities below, including:
Communication skills. One of the key soft skills for a client relations specialist to have is communication skills. You can see how this relates to what client relations specialists do because "customer service representatives must be able to provide clear information in writing, by phone, or in person." Additionally, a client relations specialist resume shows how client relations specialists use communication skills: "conduct and maintain communications, sales, and customer support. "
Interpersonal skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of client relations specialists is interpersonal skills. This skill is critical to many everyday client relations specialist duties, as "representatives should be able to create positive interactions with customers." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "demonstrated excellent organizational skills, high demand for prioritizing and multiple tasking.strong communication skills, including verbal, written and interpersonal. "
Patience. client relations specialist responsibilities often require "patience." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "representatives should be patient and polite, especially when interacting with dissatisfied customers." This resume example shows what client relations specialists do with patience on a typical day: "praised by clients for patience and caring during training and problem resolution. "
Customer-service skills. A commonly-found skill in client relations specialist job descriptions, "customer-service skills" is essential to what client relations specialists do. Client relations specialist responsibilities rely on this skill because "representatives help companies retain customers by professionally answering questions and helping to resolve complaints." You can also see how client relations specialist duties rely on customer-service skills in this resume example: "provided online customer support for corporate website. "
Listening skills. Lastly, "listening skills" is an important element of what a client relations specialist does. Client relations specialist responsibilities require this skill because "representatives must listen carefully to ensure that they understand customers in order to assist them." This resume example highlights how client relations specialist duties rely on this skill: "communicated and managed client expectations. "
The three companies that hire the most client relations specialists are:
- SS&C Technologies24 client relations specialists jobs
- Deloitte16 client relations specialists jobs
- Harsco9 client relations specialists jobs
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Compare different client relations specialists
Client relations specialist vs. Customer relations representative
A customer relations representative is responsible for providing the highest customer service by interacting with customers to respond to their inquiries and concerns, process their requests, and resolve their complaints. Customer relations representatives assist the customers with their needs by offering products and services according to their requirements and budget limitations. They may also sell newly launched products to the customers, discuss features and usability, and generate payments and delivery details. A customer relations representative must have excellent communication and organizational skills to maintain healthy business relationships with the customers to achieve the company's long-term goals and objectives.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, client relations specialist responsibilities require skills like "client relations," "client facing," "client support," and "client inquiries." Meanwhile a typical customer relations representative has skills in areas such as "customer relations," "team-oriented environment," "propane," and "customer retention." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Customer relations representatives earn the highest salaries when working in the finance industry, with an average yearly salary of $42,057. On the other hand, client relations specialists are paid more in the real estate industry with an average salary of $49,327.customer relations representatives tend to reach similar levels of education than client relations specialists. In fact, customer relations representatives are 1.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Client relations specialist vs. Client associate
A client associate is an individual who builds a strong relationship with customers by providing support for their account needs and provides training if necessary. Client associates are required to communicate with their customers either on the phone, through email, or in person. They carry out administrative tasks for financial advisers, such as maintaining client account information and assisting with special projects. Client associates must also collect and analyze competitor data and client usage so that they create new business opportunities.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that client relations specialist responsibilities requires skills like "data entry," "inbound calls," "client support," and "customer support." But a client associate might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "client service," "wealth management," "sales support," and "investment products."
Client associates earn a higher average salary than client relations specialists. But client associates earn the highest pay in the professional industry, with an average salary of $52,757. Additionally, client relations specialists earn the highest salaries in the real estate with average pay of $49,327 annually.In general, client associates achieve similar levels of education than client relations specialists. They're 1.2% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Client relations specialist vs. Customer relations coordinator
A customer relations coordinator oversees a company's customer service programs, ensuring clients receive optimal support and service. They conduct market research and analysis, study client feedback, organize customer loyalty incentives, coordinate customer service teams, establish programs, supervise staff performance, and solve issues and concerns when any arise. They may also communicate directly with clients to assist them by answering inquiries, solving problems and concerns, issuing refunds or product replacements, offering discounts, and promoting products or services.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, client relations specialists are more likely to have skills like "data entry," "client facing," "client support," and "customer support." But a customer relations coordinator is more likely to have skills like "customer relations," "customer satisfaction," "credit card payments," and "collection procedures."
Customer relations coordinators earn the highest salary when working in the automotive industry, where they receive an average salary of $39,584. Comparatively, client relations specialists have the highest earning potential in the real estate industry, with an average salary of $49,327.customer relations coordinators typically earn similar educational levels compared to client relations specialists. Specifically, they're 1.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Client relations specialist vs. Customer specialist
A customer specialist is responsible for assisting customers with their needs and concerns about the products and services offered by the company, addressing their inquiries timely and accurately. Customer specialists evaluate the customers' issues and provide immediate solutions through remote communication. In some cases, a customer specialist may send technical staff to the customer's location for problems that cannot be resolved over the phone or e-mail. They also take orders from the customers, process their payments, and explain the features and functions of the product.
Types of client relations specialist
Updated January 8, 2025
