How To Become A Senior National Account Executive: What It Is and Career Path

What is a senior national account executive and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted expert

Kaustav Misra Ph.D.

A senior national account executive opens and secures strategic partnership opportunities for the organization. They negotiate with top-level officers of business partners and prospects to strike deals and increase company revenue.

The role of the senior national account executive is highly demanding and challenging. They formulate, implement, and evaluate business plans and centralized programs for the brand's operations. The company expects them to work across various departments such as sales, marketing, design, operations, and finance to make necessary assessments and development in business performance.

As a leader, a senior national account executive directs and motivates various teams through the execution of business programs. They ensure the company goals are aligned with the resources and customer needs.

Since they deal with business partners, they must be excellent communicators in arranging and discussing complex contracts. They must also be competitive, analytical, and goal-driven to perform their duties efficiently.

An aspiring senior national account executive must have a bachelor's degree in marketing, finance, or other related fields. Some companies may prefer candidates with a master's degree in business administration. Prior experience with large brands or franchises grants leverage to get this position.

What general advice would you give to a senior national account executive?

Kaustav Misra Ph.D.

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.

ScoreSenior National Account ExecutiveUS Average

Salary

7.6

Avg. Salary $100,588

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

6.4

Growth rate 5%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

2.7

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.24%

Asian 4.07%

Black or African American 3.24%

Hispanic or Latino 9.82%

Unknown 4.41%

White 78.23%

Gender

female 33.61%

male 66.39%

Age - 46

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 - 46

Stress level

6.4

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.7

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

4.4

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a senior national account executive

Explore senior national account executive education requirements

Most common senior national account executive degrees

Bachelor's

83.0 %

Associate

8.3 %

Master's

6.2 %

Start to develop specific senior national account executive skills

Skills	Percentages
Account Management	14.14%
National Accounts	12.68%
ROI	9.10%
Digital Marketing	8.44%
Business Plan	5.75%

Complete relevant senior national account executive training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New senior national account executives 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 senior national account executive based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real senior national account executive resumes.

Research senior national account executive duties and responsibilities

Manage OEM relationship from a proactive consultative role proposing strategy and tactics for client base on research data and marketing/engagement metrics.
Recognize as a high profile producer for ROI selling with measurable results.
Consult, present and market recruiting services and solutions to healthcare facilities and school districts nationally.
Coordinate healthcare and insurance relate conferences and special events

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