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Strategic account executive vs key account manager

The differences between strategic account executives and key account managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a strategic account executive has an average salary of $119,268, which is higher than the $102,315 average annual salary of a key account manager.

The top three skills for a strategic account executive include digital transformation, cloud and salesforce. The most important skills for a key account manager are account management, customer service, and patients.

Strategic account executive vs key account manager overview

Strategic Account ExecutiveKey Account Manager
Yearly salary$119,268$102,315
Hourly rate$57.34$49.19
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs130,703160,992
Job satisfaction4.5-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 82%Bachelor's Degree, 78%
Average age4446
Years of experience-8

What does a strategic account executive do?

A strategic account executive is in charge of devising strategies to improve services and build positive relationships with key clients. Their responsibilities revolve around maintaining an active communication line with clients to determine their needs, promptly responding to issues and concerns, coordinating clients with other teams, and liaising with various agencies. There are also instances when one must collaborate with analysts to develop new client opportunities, monitor the progress of the sale, and manage the workflow and the workforce.

What does a key account manager do?

A key account manager is primarily in charge of handling key clients that produce the most profit for a company or business, ensuring that they remain with them. They are mainly responsible for understanding their clients' needs and long-term goals, ensuring that the key clients get to receive all the necessary services and products in time, and promptly address and resolve any issues and concerns. Furthermore, a key account manager may prepare reports and proposals to team members, all while adhering to the company's policies and standards.

Strategic account executive vs key account manager salary

Strategic account executives and key account managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Strategic Account ExecutiveKey Account Manager
Average salary$119,268$102,315
Salary rangeBetween $79,000 And $179,000Between $75,000 And $138,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaMaine
Best paying companyMayo ClinicQuidel
Best paying industryHealth CarePharmaceutical

Differences between strategic account executive and key account manager education

There are a few differences between a strategic account executive and a key account manager in terms of educational background:

Strategic Account ExecutiveKey Account Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 82%Bachelor's Degree, 78%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Southern California

Strategic account executive vs key account manager demographics

Here are the differences between strategic account executives' and key account managers' demographics:

Strategic Account ExecutiveKey Account Manager
Average age4446
Gender ratioMale, 63.4% Female, 36.6%Male, 68.1% Female, 31.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.6% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 15.7% Asian, 5.5% White, 67.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%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 Percentage5%7%

Differences between strategic account executive and key account manager duties and responsibilities

Strategic account executive example responsibilities.

  • Manage complex accounts and relationships- proven track record with CIO's and other key executives.
  • Develop and manage new and existing restaurant, hotel, healthcare and retirement community chains.
  • Manage services include remote monitoring services, cloud capabilities, as well as hardware and software solutions.
  • Create and execute both PowerPoint and oral presentations to expand existing business and prospect new sales leads.
  • Manage day-to-day activity of client relate projects including IP voice, MPLS infrastructures and CPE implementations in a deadline-orient high-pressure environment.
  • Update company CRM systems, produce presentations and quotations on PowerPoint, respond to client queries and general communication between team.
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Key account manager example responsibilities.

  • Lead the KAM division in market share expansion and activation for SWS portfolio.
  • Develop and manage GPO partnerships and new relationships in preparation of new product launch.
  • Utilize IRI reporting (CPGN) to deliver key category insights to customer base in order to effectively manage category decisions.
  • Manage company CRM implementation leading to increase sales profitability and customer satisfaction.
  • Provide managed care expertise to industry leading system developers to create web-base solutions for healthcare revenue cycle.
  • Manage services including contract logistics, distribution, and inbound logistics and shipping brokerage along with various additional transportation solutions.
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Strategic account executive vs key account manager skills

Common strategic account executive skills
  • Digital Transformation, 9%
  • Cloud, 7%
  • Salesforce, 6%
  • Account Management, 5%
  • Sales Process, 5%
  • CRM, 5%
Common key account manager skills
  • Account Management, 10%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • Patients, 6%
  • CRM, 6%
  • Customer Relationships, 5%
  • Excellent Interpersonal, 5%