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What is an account executive/sales manager and how to become one
An account executive/sales manager works within a company's sales department and manages client accounts. They are in charge of the big picture goals of the sales team--they use their market expertise to develop overall sales plans. Account executives/sales managers are also responsible for executing the details of a big picture sales plan by interacting with clients directly. They build strong relationships with existing clients and reach out to new, potential clients in order to pitch their company's services. Not only are they responsible for hitting their own revenue targets, they make sure that the sales staff they supervise hit their targets as well.
Account executives/sales managers have an important leadership role within the sales department, but they need considerable sales experience before they can manage others. Many have several years of professional experience working as sales representatives. Most account executives/sales managers have a bachelor's degree in addition to their practical experience.
Account executives/sales managers earn an average salary of $67,684 a year. Depending on the company, they can earn even more in commission.
What general advice would you give to an Account Executive/Sales Manager?
Kaustav Misra Ph.D.
Associate Dean, Central Connecticut State University
Avg. Salary $28,536
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth Rate 5%
Growth Rate 0.3%
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%
Genderfemale 31.27%
male 68.73%
Age - 46American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 46Stress level is manageable
7.1 - high
Complexity Level is advanced
7 - challenging
Work Life balance is poor
6.4 - fair
Account Executive/Sales Manager career paths
Key steps to become an account executive/sales manager
Explore account executive/sales manager education requirements
Start to develop specific account executive/sales manager skills
Skills Percentages Account Executives 12.51% Product Knowledge 9.26% Customer Service 8.57% Sales Process 7.68% Sales Professionals 6.78% Complete relevant account executive/sales manager training and internships
Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New account executive/sales managers 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 an account executive/sales manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real account executive/sales manager resumes.Research account executive/sales manager duties and responsibilities
- Educate on services offer and options recommend for achieving best ROI, base on desire result.
- Manage and coordinate daily sales activities through target cold calling and telemarketing.
- Develop and maintain strong client relationships within healthcare vertical market.
- Negotiate SCM and CRM solution services contract terms and conditions with senior executives.
Prepare your account executive/sales manager resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your account executive/sales manager resume.
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Apply for account executive/sales manager jobs
Now it's time to start searching for an account executive/sales manager job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
How Did You Land Your First Account Executive/Sales Manager Job
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Average account executive/sales manager salary
The average Account Executive/Sales Manager salary in the United States is $28,536 per year or $14 per hour. Account executive/sales manager salaries range between $10,000 and $77,000 per year.
What Am I Worth?
How do account executive/sales managers rate their job?
Account Executive/Sales Manager reviews
Motivating people and helping to create success in each person's day. Honor God serve people in rich people's lives, pursue excellence in service.
Not enough time in each day to get everything accomplished.
Semi-flexible work hours. You have a sales goal and customers to call on in order to achieve said goal, so you have some flexibility of your schedule.
The amount of travel required takes you away from home frequently. If you have a family, being away starts taking a toll on them and work/life balance suffers.
Coming in contact with people, motivating staff, making the numbers, profitability for everyone
I like everything
Updated January 8, 2025
