Post job

What is a client services manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted expert
Dr. Uric Dufrene
introduction image

A client services manager is also known as a customer service manager. They act as a liason between a business and its customers. They manage a team of client service representatives to encourage customers to buy more services and products. Among their many responsibilities is developing effective communication platforms for clients and staff and to monitor and measure client satisfaction. Liaise with different departments about client queries, offer advice to clients on services and products, deal with client requests and troubleshoot problems, and develop surveys and capture client information.

A customer service manager needs to have strong communication skills, ability to meet deadlines, computer literacy, calm, polite, professional behaviour, be reliable and self motivated, have general business knowledge, and high service orientation. A bachelor's degree in business or a related field is desired. Although having a college degree boosts your prospects in terms of salary and other benefits, it is possible to become one with only a high school diploma and/or GED with relevant work experience.

A client service manager earns an average salary of $84,913 a year which translates to $40.82 an hour. Additionally, this career's growth is at 6% and is expected to produce 150,600 new jobs between the years 2018 and 2028.

What general advice would you give to a client services manager?

Dr. Uric DufreneDr. Uric Dufrene LinkedIn profile

Professor of Finance, Sanders Chair in Business, Indiana University Southeast

Graduates must make a commitment to life-long learning. This does not have to be in a traditional graduate program, for example. Although, graduate school is highly recommended. Outside of a formal degree program, graduates must find ways to continue to invest in their professional development. This includes hard skills within their profession and soft skills, regardless of the occupation.

Find ways to meet people. This includes both within the organization and the industry. Think about face-to-face networking, when available, but also be very sensitive and intentional with respect to your online brand. Use the social media tools as a way of maintaining a very professional image and 24/7 virtual networking. Graduates need to think of their name as a brand. That brand will be influenced by your digital footprint, and how one might communicate, both in writing and in a virtual sense (video technologies). With working in a remote environment, the impression that one might develop of you will be based on writings co-workers receive from you (emails, memos, etc.) and your video presence. Graduates need to invest time in developing and enhancing these important skills.
ScoreClient Services ManagerUS Average
Salary
6.1

Avg. Salary $78,439

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
9.6

Growth rate 6%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
3.5
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.47%

Asian 6.35%

Black or African American 6.17%

Hispanic or Latino 15.15%

Unknown 4.34%

White 67.52%

Gender

female 60.69%

male 39.31%

Age - 44
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 44
Stress level
9.6

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
9.2

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance
3.6

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Client services manager career paths

Key steps to become a client services manager

  1. Explore client services manager education requirements

    Most common client services manager degrees

    Bachelor's

    72.5 %

    Associate

    10.9 %

    Master's

    10.4 %
  2. Start to develop specific client services manager skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Customer Service14.92%
    Client Service11.03%
    Account Management5.60%
    Client Facing5.34%
    Project Management5.02%
  3. Complete relevant client services manager training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New client services managers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a client services manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real client services manager resumes.
  4. Gain additional client services manager certifications

    Client services manager certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific client services manager certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

    The most common certifications for client services managers include Project Management Professional (PMP) and Professional Certified Marketer (PCM).

    More About Certifications
  5. Research client services manager duties and responsibilities

    • Manage ITSM projects implementing ITIL best practices at client sites.
    • Manage BPO financial performance on a monthly basis staying within budget.
    • Use of CRM software, to manage numerous schedules of complex sales processes.
    • Manage accounts for existing and new partners; enter account and community information into SalesForce.
  6. Prepare your client services manager resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your client services manager resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a client services manager resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable client services manager resume templates

    Build a professional client services manager resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your client services manager resume.
    Client Services Manager Resume
    Client Services Manager Resume
    Client Services Manager Resume
    Client Services Manager Resume
    Client Services Manager Resume
    Client Services Manager Resume
    Client Services Manager Resume
    Client Services Manager Resume
    Client Services Manager Resume
    Client Services Manager Resume
    Client Services Manager Resume
    Client Services Manager Resume
    Client Services Manager Resume
    Client Services Manager Resume
    Client Services Manager Resume
    Client Services Manager Resume
  7. Apply for client services manager jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a client services manager job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first client services manager job

Zippi

Are you a client services manager?

Share your story for a free salary report.

Average client services manager salary

The average client services manager salary in the United States is $78,439 per year or $38 per hour. Client services manager salaries range between $54,000 and $113,000 per year.

Average client services manager salary
$78,439 Yearly
$37.71 hourly

What am I worth?

salary-calculator

How do client services managers rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Client services manager reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2019
Pros

People Busy Money Busy and variety in a job Solving problems


Working as a client services manager? Share your experience anonymously.
Overall rating*
Career growth
Work/Life balance
Pay/Salary

Client services manager FAQs

Search for client services manager jobs

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Browse executive management jobs