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What does a senior sales executive do?

Updated January 8, 2025
8 min read
Quoted expert
Bill Thorne
What does a senior sales executive do

Senior sales executives are the most experienced members of a sales team. It is their responsibility to lead the customer representatives, ensuring that sales targets are met. Their job includes analyzing business trends to identify ways to improve products, ensuring customer satisfaction is met with the company products or services acquired, as well as submitting account plans and sales reports to higher management. They should also be able to timely resolve issues concerning complaints from the customer.

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Senior sales executive responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real senior sales executive resumes:

  • Manage the complete SaaS client engagement cycle, B2C and B2B.
  • Manage sales activities and qualification of opportunities within CRM system.
  • Help OEM to convert customer feedback into engineering data.
  • Translate this knowledge for use in the ERP software industry.
  • Interface with c-level executives to present offerings, close contracts, and improve bottom-line metrics.
  • Navigate a deal through a nine-month period, and land a $375,000 contract with large OEM.
  • Train clients on the operations of POS terminals and hospitality software programs including terminal operations, programming and reporting.
  • Design innovative PowerPoint presentations for prospective and existing clientele.
  • Company also offer specialized business consulting services in healthcare marketing and practice administration.
  • Coordinate programs offering continuing education and guest speakers for healthcare providers and pharmacists.
  • Create written proposals containing equipment solutions, pricing information, and ROI justifications.
  • Direct global inbound/outbound sales strategy and execution for industry-leading SaaS CRM and lead-management solutions-provider.
  • Qualify new prospects to determine serviceability including submissions of site surveys and ROI analysis to sales management.
  • Organize and deliver faculty presentations and workshops relate to services and technology with the use of PowerPoint and online demonstrations.
  • Market secure payment processing products (POS terminals) and services to merchants.

Senior sales executive skills and personality traits

We calculated that 8% of Senior Sales Executives are proficient in Sales Process, Healthcare, and Business Development. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Customer-service skills.

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

  • Sales Process, 8%

    Conducted online demonstrations based on customers' expressed business needs and interests as revealed in consultative sales process.

  • Healthcare, 6%

    Presented bundled ancillary products through broker distribution channels and United Healthcare channels to leverage cross selling opportunities.

  • Business Development, 6%

    Created and initiated innovative adaptations to new and existing sales/marketing approaches which have served as blueprints for improvements in business development.

  • Customer Satisfaction, 5%

    Developed and implemented plans for strategic accounts that exceed expectations in revenue, retention/growth, account profitability, and customer satisfaction/loyalty.

  • Business Relationships, 5%

    Developed and managed business relationships and opportunities in emerging technologies and product sets, focusing primarily on wireless and cable broadband.

  • Sales Presentations, 4%

    Develop and deliver informative sales presentations based on individual customer needs to maximize the market share of the designated product portfolio.

Common skills that a senior sales executive uses to do their job include "sales process," "healthcare," and "business development." You can find details on the most important senior sales executive responsibilities below.

Analytical skills. One of the key soft skills for a senior sales executive to have is analytical skills. You can see how this relates to what senior sales executives do because "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." Additionally, a senior sales executive resume shows how senior sales executives use analytical skills: "direct sales of edi and data integration software to the in-house database of present, past and potential clients. "

Communication skills. Another essential skill to perform senior sales executive duties is communication skills. Senior sales executives responsibilities require that "sales managers need to work with colleagues and customers, so they must be able to communicate clearly." Senior sales executives also use communication skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "direct sales and sales channel manager for management software, system integration, and telecommunication chip sets. "

Customer-service skills. senior sales executives are also known for customer-service skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to senior sales executive responsibilities, because "when helping to make a sale, sales managers must listen and respond to the customer’s needs." A senior sales executive resume example shows how customer-service skills is used in the workplace: "achieved target by direct sales and cross sales of consumer banking products to new and existing customer. "

Leadership skills. For certain senior sales executive responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "leadership skills." The day-to-day duties of a senior sales executive rely on this skill, as "sales managers must be able to evaluate how their sales staff performs and must develop strategies for meeting sales goals." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what senior sales executives do: "well organized with keen attention to detail, demonstrated leadership ability, and strong work ethic. "

Most common senior sales executive skills

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Compare different senior sales executives

Senior sales executive 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.

If we compare the average senior sales executive annual salary with that of a sales account manager, we find that sales account managers typically earn a $52,178 lower salary than senior sales executives make annually.While their salaries may differ, the common ground between senior sales executives and sales account managers are a few of the skills required in each roleacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities. In both careers, employee duties involve skills like sales process, business development, and customer satisfaction.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a senior sales executive are more likely to require skills like "healthcare," "cloud," "customer relationships," and "financial institutions." On the other hand, a job as a sales account manager requires skills like "powerpoint," "sales territory," "patients," and "excellent time management." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Sales account managers really shine in the technology industry with an average salary of $68,777. Comparatively, senior sales executives tend to make the most money in the pharmaceutical industry with an average salary of $134,359.The education levels that sales account managers earn slightly differ from senior sales executives. In particular, sales account managers are 2.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a senior sales executive. Additionally, they're 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Senior sales executive vs. Business development sales manager

A business development sales manager is in charge of securing sales by reaching out to clients through calls, correspondence, or appointments. Their responsibilities often revolve around performing research and analysis to identify new leads and sales opportunities, offering different products and services, and creating proposals and price quotes for potential clients. A business development sales manager may also tailor payment plans, process billing, participate in various marketing initiatives, and produce progress reports. Furthermore, it is essential to ensure customer satisfaction and build positive relationships to strengthen the company's client base.

Business development sales manager positions earn higher pay than senior sales executive roles. They earn a $501 higher salary than senior sales executives per year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Senior sales executives and business development sales managers both require similar skills like "sales process," "healthcare," and "business development" 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 senior sales executive responsibilities requires skills like "customer satisfaction," "develop leads," "financial institutions," and "java." But a business development sales manager might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "relationship building," "strong analytical," "business plan," and "aerospace."

Business development sales managers may earn a higher salary than senior sales executives, but business development sales managers earn the most pay in the professional industry with an average salary of $130,807. On the other hand, senior sales executives receive higher pay in the pharmaceutical industry, where they earn an average salary of $134,359.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Business development sales managers tend to reach similar levels of education than senior sales executives. In fact, they're 1.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for senior sales executives 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.

Senior sales executive vs. Sales manager

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.

On average scale, sales managers bring in lower salaries than senior sales executives. In fact, they earn a $36,856 lower salary per year.By looking over several senior sales executives and sales managers resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "sales process," "business development," and "customer satisfaction." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, senior sales executives are more likely to have skills like "healthcare," "roi," "cloud," and "customer service." But a sales manager is more likely to have skills like "sales performance," "multitasking," "sales associates," and "sales floor."

Sales managers typically earn similar educational levels compared to senior sales executives. Specifically, they're 2.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Senior sales executive vs. Account executive/sales manager

An Account Executive/Sales Manager manages client accounts, building positive client relationships in the process. Part of their job is to secure sales, which requires them to conduct research and analysis to find new business and client opportunities, generate leads, offer products and services to clients through calls and correspondence, arrange appointments, and process payments. There are instances where they must assist clients by resolving issues and concerns, ensuring client satisfaction. Moreover, they are also responsible for developing sales plans and strategies while implementing the company's policies and regulations among staff.

Account executive/sales managers average a lower salary than the annual salary of senior sales executives. The difference is about $82,272 per year.According to resumes from senior sales executives and account executive/sales managers, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "sales process," "healthcare," and "business development. "Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. A senior sales executive uses "customer satisfaction," "sales targets," "crm," and "cloud." Account executive/sales managers are more likely to have duties that require skills in "account executives," "sales professionals," "real estate," and "business sales. "In general, account executive/sales managers earn the most working in the media industry, with an average salary of $51,472. The highest-paying industry for a senior sales executive is the pharmaceutical industry.account executive/sales managers reach similar levels of education compared to senior sales executives, in general. The difference is that they're 2.0% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of senior sales executive

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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