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Client success manager vs sales manager

The differences between client success managers 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 success manager and a sales manager. Additionally, a client success manager has an average salary of $75,925, which is higher than the $73,952 average annual salary of a sales manager.

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

Client success manager vs sales manager overview

Client Success ManagerSales Manager
Yearly salary$75,925$73,952
Hourly rate$36.50$35.55
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs105,665119,066
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 77%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Average age4646
Years of experience88

What does a client success manager do?

The role of a client success manager is to work closely with clients to ensure that they are receiving the right support and tools they need to achieve their goals. You will typically perform a few tasks, which include advising clients on purchasing decisions and onboarding new customers the following purchase, advocating for the company, and following-up on renewals to maintain customer retention and loyalty. As a client success manager, you must encourage upselling and cross-selling to maximize a customer's lifetime value.

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 success manager vs sales manager salary

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

Client Success ManagerSales Manager
Average salary$75,925$73,952
Salary rangeBetween $51,000 And $112,000Between $42,000 And $129,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CAJersey City, NJ
Highest paying stateOregonNew Jersey
Best paying companyAccentureCapgemini
Best paying industryTechnology-

Differences between client success manager and sales manager education

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

Client Success ManagerSales Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 77%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of Southern California

Client success manager vs sales manager demographics

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

Client Success ManagerSales Manager
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 53.8% Female, 46.3%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 success manager and sales manager duties and responsibilities

Client success manager example responsibilities.

  • Perform client set-ups and manage work flow through SalesForce.
  • Lead the overall client program management function providing leadership, coordination and management of PMO activities.
  • Manage partner relationship with EMC and develop go-to-market strategies.
  • Lead tool workshops to maximize CSM communication efficiency both internally and externally.
  • Represent major OEM brands i.e.
  • Build JavaScript libraries and design site enhancements.
  • Show more

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 success manager vs sales manager skills

Common client success manager skills
  • Client Facing, 12%
  • Client Satisfaction, 9%
  • Cloud, 8%
  • Project Management, 7%
  • Customer Satisfaction, 7%
  • Account Management, 7%
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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