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What does a government sales manager do?

Updated January 8, 2025
8 min read
Quoted expert
Bill Thorne

A government sales manager is responsible for managing and directing sales operations for the government market. Government sales managers strategize on efficient techniques to sell goods and services and enhance business sales performance. They also conduct a review of market trends and data analysis to identify business opportunities that would generate more revenue resources and profits according to public demands and interests. A government sales manager approves promotional and sales materials to various platforms and ensures that the project adheres to budget limitations and requirements.

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Government sales manager responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real government sales manager resumes:

  • Manage, train and recruit brokers to sell medicare advantage plans and associate products.
  • Manage program budgets, research, technical/system requirements, logistics, life-cycle, training and technology transfer/reliability solutions, recommending acquisitions.
  • Audit and monitor Medicare and Medicaid billing and payments to ensure compliance regulations are being maintain.
  • Create and implement processes to compliantly house and transmit confidential information for Medicaid and Medicare enrollment.
  • Organize, partner, and maintain relationships with co-manufacturers and distributors nationwide in order to service the DOD.
  • Create corporate Medicare compliance auditing program.
  • Manage program budgets, research, technical/system requirements, logistics, life-cycle, training and technology transfer/reliability solutions, recommending acquisitions.
  • Create marketing content for pages and promotional initiatives, newsletter design and implementation, create designed and produce PowerPoint presentations.

Government sales manager skills and personality traits

We calculated that 20% of Government Sales Managers are proficient in Veterans, Customer Satisfaction, and Database. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Customer-service skills.

We break down the percentage of Government Sales Managers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Veterans, 20%

    Prepared and /or validated the Veterans Administration Public Law pricing and Public Health Service pricing for Johnson and Johnson pharmaceutical products.

  • Customer Satisfaction, 16%

    Developed and implemented job performance and training programs to maintain customer satisfaction.

  • Database, 14%

    Managed complex IT projects including web development, database integration, document conversion and new application building.

  • Enterprise Sales, 10%

    Led a highly skilled inside sales team that closed $2 million in enterprise sales from acquisition accounts.

  • ERP, 8%

    Established implementation overview for Lotus Notes and ERP application.

  • Government Affairs, 5%

    Produced all legislative and regulatory policy literature, as well as internal Board of Directors government affairs update memos.

Most government sales managers use their skills in "veterans," "customer satisfaction," and "database" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential government sales manager responsibilities here:

Analytical skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a government sales manager to have is analytical skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "sales managers must collect and interpret complex data to target the most promising geographic areas and demographic groups, and determine the most effective sales strategies." Government sales managers often use analytical skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "analyze posted government contracts, assess potential profitability, and submit bids. "

Communication skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling government sales manager duties is communication skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "sales managers need to work with colleagues and customers, so they must be able to communicate clearly." According to a government sales manager resume, here's how government sales managers can utilize communication skills in their job responsibilities: "managed and engaged grassroots patient advocate network through utilization of an online database, monthly teleconferences, and ongoing communications. "

Customer-service skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of government sales managers is customer-service skills. This skill is critical to many everyday government sales manager duties, as "when helping to make a sale, sales managers must listen and respond to the customer’s needs." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "contributed to fiscal year projections and acted as service representative in government accounts department to solve problems for customers and co-workers. "

Leadership skills. government sales manager responsibilities often require "leadership skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "sales managers must be able to evaluate how their sales staff performs and must develop strategies for meeting sales goals." This resume example shows what government sales managers do with leadership skills on a typical day: "tracked and addressed complex sensitive issues in collaboration with vice president of government affairs and senior leadership team. "

See the full list of government sales manager skills

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Compare different government sales managers

Government sales manager vs. Product manager/sales

A sales product manager is responsible for monitoring the sales performance of a specific product and ensuring that the marketing strategies adhere to market standards and client requirements. Sales product managers work closely with the marketing and public relations team to enhance the product's brand image on various market platforms to reach the target audience. They also conduct data and statistical analysis to identify business opportunities that would generate more revenue resources and increase the company's profitability.

The annual salary of product managers/sales is $5,521 higher than the average salary of government sales managers.Even though government sales managers and product managers/sales are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require customer satisfaction, enterprise sales, and project management in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, government sales manager responsibilities require skills like "veterans," "database," "erp," and "government affairs." Meanwhile a typical product manager/sales has skills in areas such as "customer service," "product sales," "pos," and "product management." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

Product managers/sales earn the highest salaries when working in the education industry, with an average yearly salary of $108,541. On the other hand, government sales managers are paid more in the automotive industry with an average salary of $106,869.On average, product managers/sales reach lower levels of education than government sales managers. Product managers/sales are 5.4% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 2.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Government sales manager vs. Sales manager/sales trainer

A sales trainer or manager provides training for the sales staff. The target of the training is to improve the sales figures and meet target sales. Sales trainers collect data that allows them to understand the effectiveness of the existing sales strategies. They also set clear goals and priorities, get rid of demands that do not drive revenue, and allow their teams to focus on activities aligned with the significant goals. It is also their responsibility to research and develop marketing opportunities.

On average, sales managers/sales trainer earn a $12,261 lower salary than government sales managers a year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Government sales managers and sales managers/sales trainer both require similar skills like "enterprise sales," "project management," and "sales growth" to carry out their responsibilities.

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that government sales manager responsibilities requires skills like "veterans," "customer satisfaction," "database," and "erp." But a sales manager/sales trainer might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "product knowledge," "powerpoint," "training materials," and "sales management."

Sales managers/sales trainer may earn a lower salary than government sales managers, but sales managers/sales trainer earn the most pay in the pharmaceutical industry with an average salary of $116,149. On the other hand, government sales managers receive higher pay in the automotive industry, where they earn an average salary of $106,869.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Sales managers/sales trainer tend to reach lower levels of education than government sales managers. In fact, they're 5.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 2.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for government sales managers in the next 3-5 years?

Bill ThorneBill Thorne LinkedIn profile

Executive Director of the NRF Foundation and Senior Vice President of Communication and Public Affairs of NRF, National Retail Federation

COVID-19 has accelerated the trends we've seen over the past few years as retailers reimagine the customer experience, blending online and offline channels. Mobile apps provide in-store wayfinding and augmented reality to allow customers to quickly search products and identify their exact locations in the store. Additionally, many retailers offer Buy Online, Pick-up In-Store (BOPIS), or curbside pickup options so that customers can pay and checkout with minimal or no contact. We expect retailers will continue to use a variety of tools to help shoppers find the items they need and want.

Government sales manager vs. Sales development manager

Sales Development Managers oversee a specific function in the sales department. They are in charge of creating sales pitches, communication tools, and strategies to boost the company's sales performance. They may be assigned to do these activities for a specific product or service or for the whole product line of the organization. Sales Development Managers are also expected to create branding images that will help their sales strategies. They are required to fully understand the company's history, image, and target market. This will ensure that the branding and sales strategies they create are in line with the company's values.

An average sales development manager eans a lower salary compared to the average salary of government sales managers. The difference in salaries amounts to sales development managers earning a $181 lower average salary than government sales managers.Using the responsibilities included on government sales managers and sales development managers resumes, we found that both professions have similar skill requirements, such as "customer satisfaction," "enterprise sales," and "project management.rdquo;

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a government sales manager is likely to be skilled in "veterans," "database," "erp," and "government affairs," while a typical sales development manager is skilled in "sdr," "salesforce," "customer service," and "crm."

Sales development managers earn the highest salary when working in the manufacturing industry, where they receive an average salary of $107,980. Comparatively, government sales managers have the highest earning potential in the automotive industry, with an average salary of $106,869.When it comes to education, sales development managers tend to earn similar degree levels compared to government sales managers. In fact, they're 1.6% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 2.6% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Government sales manager vs. Sales account manager

The account sales manager is in charge of the retention of their customer relationship. They have to supervise the portfolio of existing clients, develop new business with them, and seek new sales opportunities. Account sales managers act as liaisons between the company and customer as well as build strong, long-lasting relationships by providing an improved customer experience. It is their responsibility to negotiate contracts and close deals to maximize sales profits. Also, they forecast track sales results and prepare reports on account status.

Sales account managers average a lower salary than the annual salary of government sales managers. The difference is about $44,341 per year.While their salaries may vary, government sales managers and sales account managers both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "customer satisfaction," "enterprise sales," and "project management. "

Even though a few skill sets overlap between government sales managers and sales account managers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a government sales manager might have more use for skills like "veterans," "database," "erp," and "government affairs." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of sales account managers require skills like "customer service," "crm," "account management," and "product knowledge. "

Sales account managers enjoy the best pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $68,777. For comparison, government sales managers earn the highest salary in the automotive industry.sales account managers reach lower levels of education compared to government sales managers, in general. The difference is that they're 7.9% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 2.4% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of government sales manager

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.

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