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What is a major account executive and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
Quoted expert
Kaustav Misra Ph.D.
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Generally, this personnel is employed to help grow a company. They generate new business through individual outbound efforts, inbound marketing leads, and working with partners. They provide support for clients by learning about and satisfying their needs. Additionally, they make cold calls or reach out to prospects. They follow up on prospective clients across the sales cycle to ensure their needs are being met. Furthermore, they present and demonstrate the value of products and services to clients. Also, they develop and implement sales strategies and set quotas.

Employers seek applicants who hold at least a bachelor's degree in business, marketing, or a related field. Applicants must have at least three years of experience in a related position. You must possess communication, negotiation, time management, and presentation skills. You must be proficient in Microsoft Office and CRM software. Major account executives make an average salary of $74,094 yearly. It varies between $47,000 and $116,000.

What general advice would you give to a major account executive?

Kaustav Misra Ph.D.Kaustav Misra Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Associate Dean, Central Connecticut State University

I have spent almost two decades in the higher education industry and about a decade in administration. I often advised students, and it is astonishing to see how many of these students do not plan for their future. A good plan is a starting point to lead a good and successful career and life. Hence, by all means, it is worth noting that developing a future-oriented focus is important, so taking time to streamline the plan should be an important exercise for every graduate before they begin to do anything.
ScoreMajor Account ExecutiveUS Average
Salary
6.2

Avg. Salary $79,860

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
7.1

Growth rate 4%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
7.0
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.38%

Asian 5.55%

Black or African American 6.70%

Hispanic or Latino 15.66%

Unknown 4.05%

White 67.65%

Gender

female 26.83%

male 73.17%

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
7.1

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
8.0

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
4.9

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Major account executive career paths

Key steps to become a major account executive

  1. Explore major account executive education requirements

    Most common major account executive degrees

    Bachelor's

    82.5 %

    Associate

    8.2 %

    Master's

    6.6 %
  2. Start to develop specific major account executive skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Healthcare9.88%
    Salesforce8.84%
    Cloud8.45%
    Sales Process8.07%
    Account Management7.37%
  3. Research major account executive duties and responsibilities

    • Qualify new leads and request site surveys to determine serviceability of prospects, including submission of ROI analysis to sales management.
    • Assign to multiple teams to assess new prospecting tools, CRM's and order entry systems.
    • Utilize various CRM systems to effectively prospect for new business opportunities and track their progress through the sales pipeline.
    • Influence buying-decision by clearly demonstrating the value and strategic business fit of suggest SaaS solutions in impactful, roi-base presentations.
  4. Prepare your major account executive resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your major account executive 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 major account executive resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable major account executive resume templates

    Build a professional major account executive 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 major account executive resume.
    Major Account Executive Resume
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    Major Account Executive Resume
    Major Account Executive Resume
    Major Account Executive Resume
    Major Account Executive Resume
    Major Account Executive Resume
    Major Account Executive Resume
  5. Apply for major account executive jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a major account executive 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 major account executive job

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Average major account executive salary

The average major account executive salary in the United States is $79,860 per year or $38 per hour. Major account executive salaries range between $52,000 and $121,000 per year.

Average major account executive salary
$79,860 Yearly
$38.39 hourly

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How do major account executives rate their job?

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Major account executive reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Feb 2020
Cons

This is a great career.


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2019
Pros

The challenge to bring in new business and exceed monthly sales quota. To have the freedom to not be micromanage is reward enough. However the commissions and sales recognition make both rewarding and fun.

Cons

The stress that comes with having to produce. You have to find the business, present your solution, close the business and service the account.


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2019
Pros

Strategic Planning to develop and capture new business opportunities, building strong customer/partner relationships and analyzing the financial performance of customers to help improve their financial and operational performance. Negotiations

Cons

Being away from family because of excessive travel


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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.