Account Manager
What is an Account Manager?
An Account Manager is someone who builds and maintains relationships with clients of a company to ensure their satisfaction and maximize business opportunities.
What does an Account Manager do?
Usually, an Account Manager does the following:
- Builds and maintains relationships with clients, acting as the main point of contact
- Identifies client needs and goals, and develops strategies to meet them
- Regularly communicates with clients to provide updates on projects and address any concerns
- Collaborates with internal teams to ensure client needs are met
- Manages client accounts, including budgets, contracts, and deliverables
What does the day-to-day life of an Account Manager look like?
An Account Manager typically works between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday. However, it's important to be flexible and available to clients, especially during important projects or deadlines.
Day-to-day tasks may include:
- Meeting with clients to discuss ongoing projects or new opportunities
- Creating and delivering presentations to clients
- Monitoring and reporting on client satisfaction and performance metrics
- Collaborating with colleagues on client strategies and solutions
Where does an Account Manager work?
Account Managers are employed in a wide range of industries, including advertising, marketing, sales, and consulting. They can work in-house for a company or be employed by an agency that manages multiple clients.
Location-wise, Account Managers can work anywhere in the United Kingdom, although larger cities like London, Manchester, and Birmingham have more opportunities. Some companies may also offer remote working options.
What tools/software/hardware does an Account Manager use?
An Account Manager may use various tools and software, including:
- Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software like Salesforce or HubSpot to manage client interactions and keep track of important information
- Project management tools like Trello or Asana to manage and track client projects
- Communication tools such as email, video conferencing, and phone systems to stay in touch with clients and team members
What do I need to become an Account Manager?
There are several ways to become an Account Manager, including:
- Bachelor's degree: While not always required, having a degree in a relevant field such as business, marketing, or communications can be beneficial.
- Experience in sales or customer service: Prior experience in sales, customer service, or related roles is valuable as it helps develop skills in building relationships, understanding client needs, and resolving issues.
- Strong communication skills: Being able to effectively communicate and build rapport with clients is crucial in this role.
- Organizational and multitasking skills: Account Managers often juggle multiple clients and projects simultaneously, so being organized and able to prioritize tasks is important.
What career paths are available?
There are various career paths available to you as an Account Manager, including:
- Senior Account Manager: As you gain experience and success, you can progress to a senior position, where you may handle larger and more strategic accounts.
- Account Director/Manager: In this role, you would oversee a team of Account Managers and take on responsibility for managing client relationships at a higher level.
- Business Development Manager: With your knowledge of client needs and industry trends, you can transition into a role focused on bringing in new clients and driving business growth.
To start on these paths, it is important to excel in your role as an Account Manager, demonstrate strong leadership and relationship-building skills, and continuously expand your knowledge of the industry.
What jobs are similar to an Account Manager?
- Sales Representative: Similar to an Account Manager, a Sales Representative focuses on generating new business by selling products or services.
- Client Services Manager: This role is focused on ensuring client satisfaction and managing the overall client experience.
- Customer Success Manager: Similar to an Account Manager, a Customer Success Manager works to ensure customer satisfaction, but may also focus on the adoption and implementation of a product or service.
What made you want to become an Account Manager?
How did you get your first Account Manager job?
What was the one thing that surprised you the most about being an Account Manager?
Are you an Account Manager? We want you to share your experiences with those looking to start or change their careers to Account Management. If you're interested, contact us at mail@calumchilds.com.