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What does a strategic account executive do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
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.

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Strategic account executive responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real strategic account executive resumes:

  • 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.
  • Realize and maintain current prospect/client information within designate SalesForce CRM platform.
  • Used sophisticated CRM systems and strategies to deepen customer relationships and win new/expand existing business.
  • Research, implement and lead a company-wide roll out of a new CRM tool.
  • Specialize in high-performance software solutions, SAAS for the real estate industry and other markets.
  • Qualify potential client's needs and share the benefits that will meet their ROI expectations.
  • Identify and open up new sales channels in different market niches, such as healthcare and manufacturing.
  • Create key leverage with a strategic alliance with MCI for partnership on next generation architecture prototype and rollout.
  • Mentor a team of sales employees for their role in solution selling, negotiation, and value positioning.
  • Task with growing strategic accounts and partner channel for a leading provider of security and data storage cloud solutions.

Strategic account executive skills and personality traits

We calculated that 9% of Strategic Account Executives are proficient in Digital Transformation, Cloud, and Salesforce. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Customer-service skills.

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

  • Digital Transformation, 9%

    Specialize in placing Software Developers in Digital Transformation for SaleForce.com, SAP HANA & Digital Learning.

  • Cloud, 7%

    Tasked with growing strategic accounts and partner channel for a leading provider of security and data storage cloud solutions.

  • Salesforce, 6%

    Realize and maintain current prospect/client information within designated SalesForce CRM platform.

  • Account Management, 5%

    Managed account management team assigned to each client to ensure timely problem resolution, member satisfaction and team member accountability.

  • Sales Process, 5%

    Forged strategic alliance partner relationships during the sales process; demonstrated strong communication and negotiation skills.

  • CRM, 5%

    Researched, implemented and lead a company-wide roll out of a new CRM tool.

Most strategic account executives use their skills in "digital transformation," "cloud," and "salesforce" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential strategic account executive responsibilities here:

Analytical skills. One of the key soft skills for a strategic account executive to have is analytical skills. You can see how this relates to what strategic account 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 strategic account executive resume shows how strategic account executives use analytical skills: "create and deliver presentations including: customer business reviews, value quantifications, competitive analysis and implementation plans. "

Communication skills. Another essential skill to perform strategic account executive duties is communication skills. Strategic account executives responsibilities require that "sales managers need to work with colleagues and customers, so they must be able to communicate clearly." Strategic account executives also use communication skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "provided telecommunication support for the command/ search and rescue communications. "

Customer-service skills. strategic account executives are also known for customer-service skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to strategic account executive responsibilities, because "when helping to make a sale, sales managers must listen and respond to the customer’s needs." A strategic account executive resume example shows how customer-service skills is used in the workplace: "trusted strategic advisor with 100% satisfaction rating of customers served at all levels including c-suite and consultants. "

Leadership skills. A big part of what strategic account executives do relies on "leadership skills." You can see how essential it is to strategic account executive responsibilities because "sales managers must be able to evaluate how their sales staff performs and must develop strategies for meeting sales goals." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical strategic account executive tasks: "delivered business reviews to senior leadership"

See the full list of strategic account executive skills

The three companies that hire the most strategic account executives are:

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Compare different strategic account executives

Strategic account executive vs. Business developer

A business developer specializes in conducting in-depth business analysis and crafting various strategies that would not just help a business grow, but also strengthen client base and brand awareness. One of their primary responsibilities revolves around identifying areas in need of improvement. They come up with new services that will boost customer satisfaction, examining the potential for revenue and figuring out new opportunities from trends or other pre-existing programs within the company. All of this is conducted according to the vision, mission, and policies of the organization.

The annual salary of business developers is $17,633 lower than the average salary of strategic account executives.Even though strategic account executives and business developers are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require salesforce, account management, and sales process in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a strategic account executive are more likely to require skills like "digital transformation," "cloud," "digital marketing," and "cloud computing." On the other hand, a job as a business developer requires skills like "healthcare," "work ethic," "linkedin," and "product development." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Business developers tend to make the most money working in the manufacturing industry, where they earn an average salary of $118,082. In contrast, strategic account executives make the biggest average salary, $123,851, in the health care industry.On average, business developers reach similar levels of education than strategic account executives. Business developers are 1.7% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.7% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Strategic account executive vs. New business development

New business development focuses on new business opportunities and new product innovation, including product design, business model design, and marketing. This includes a wide scope of responsibilities that includes marketing planning, strategic partnerships, and increased profitability. It is the responsibility of new business development agents to be aware of new market opportunities, possibilities for expansion, competitor product developments, and the company's current sources of revenue. This job can be summarized as the source of ideas, initiatives, and activities aimed in the direction of making a business better.

On average, new business development earn a $35,007 lower salary than strategic account executives a year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Strategic account executives and new business development both require similar skills like "salesforce," "account management," and "sales process" 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 strategic account executive responsibilities requires skills like "digital transformation," "cloud," "digital marketing," and "cloud computing." But a new business development might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "senior level management," "java," "product development," and "market research."

New business development may earn a lower salary than strategic account executives, but new business development earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $88,045. On the other hand, strategic account executives receive higher pay in the health care industry, where they earn an average salary of $123,851.In general, new business development achieve similar levels of education than strategic account executives. They're 1.1% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.7% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Strategic account executive vs. Business development account manager

A business development account manager is in charge of developing strategies to identify new business and client opportunities, ensuring sales growth and customer satisfaction. They typically perform research and analysis to gather data, coordinate with analysts and experts, produce sales and progress reports, and maintain records of all transactions. Furthermore, a business development account manager must build positive relationships with clients and secure sales by reaching out to customers through calls, correspondence, or appointments. They may offer products and services, process payments, and handle inquiries or concerns.

On average scale, business development account managers bring in lower salaries than strategic account executives. In fact, they earn a $20,059 lower salary per year.strategic account executives and business development account managers both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "salesforce," "account management," and "sales process," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a strategic account executive is likely to be skilled in "digital transformation," "cloud," "digital marketing," and "cloud computing," while a typical business development account manager is skilled in "product line," "relationship building," "technical support," and "relationship management."

Business development account managers typically earn similar educational levels compared to strategic account executives. Specifically, they're 1.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Strategic account executive vs. Account manager

Account managers are employees who act as the bridge between the company they represent and the client of the company. They are assigned to handle specific clients so that the company will be able to tailor-fit any product or service according to the clients' requirements. Account managers are responsible for maintaining a harmonious relationship between the two parties by ensuring that any agreement made is amenable to both the company and the client. They are also responsible for ensuring that the company will be able to provide the needs of the client within any limitation that the client may have. Account managers also ensure that the company's reputation and well-being are always considered in any dealings.

Account managers typically earn lower pay than strategic account executives. On average, account managers earn a $50,733 lower salary per year.According to resumes from strategic account executives and account managers, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "account management," "sales process," and "crm. "While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "digital transformation," "cloud," "salesforce," and "digital marketing" are skills that commonly show up on strategic account executive resumes. On the other hand, account managers use skills like healthcare, powerpoint, work ethic, and sales territory on their resumes.The technology industry tends to pay the highest salaries for account managers, with average annual pay of $76,412. Comparatively, the highest strategic account executive annual salary comes from the health care industry.In general, account managers hold similar degree levels compared to strategic account executives. Account managers are 4.4% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of strategic account 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.