Account Manager Duties: What Does an Account Manager Do?

An account manager manages the expectations and needs of both their host company and its customers. They respond to client needs, use problem-solving skills to handle issues arising between customers and internal teams, and are as responsible for project management as they are for public relations.

Account managers work on building relationships with specific clients. Here are five key elements of the account manager job description:

1. 1. Foster business development: Account managers are key to helping their businesses develop and grow overall. Without them, there would be no one to ensure current clients are satisfied and willing to keep doing business with their companies.
2. 2. Manage client relationships: Managing client or customer relationships is perhaps the most important element of account management. These managers serve as the chief liaisons between their clients and their company at large. As such, they play a big role in meeting all customer needs.
3. 3. Onboard new customers: Companies are always on the lookout for new business opportunities and client accounts, so account managers need to be ready to handle a constant influx of new customers. As an example, if a company works with a team of social media influencers in New York, an account manager might find they need to be ready to onboard similar clients in San Francisco sometime soon.
4. 4. Supervise team members: Although not all account managers have internal teams of their own, many do. Key account managers might handle a particularly high-stakes account (or several) for their company, all while helping to supervise other public relations and sales team staff members.
5. 5. Upsell when possible: Account managers advocate for their own company’s interests while keeping an eye out for their clients, too. If it’s possible to upsell a client on a new service or product from their business, account managers will make the pitch and hopefully close the deal with their customers.

If you are a job seeker interested in account management as a career path, you can consider taking these five steps as a start:

1. 1. Become a self-starter. Companies expect their account managers to both reach out to current clients and find new ones. It’s a requirement that you possess motivation, drive, and initiative.
2. 2. Cultivate interpersonal skills. Paramount for account executives and managers are communication skills. You’ll be the main point of contact between your business and old as well as new clients. Therefore, it’s important to know how to nourish fulfilling long-term relationships in an office setting and the outside world alike.
3. 3. Learn to multitask. Account managers generally juggle both old and new accounts—so it’s essential to multitask and carry on several different projects at once. You might have one client in Atlanta with one set of long-term needs, another in Dallas whose goals are more short-term and urgent, and yet another in Los Angeles who needs you to put out a proverbial fire immediately.
4. 4. Pursue education. You typically need at least a bachelor’s degree to obtain a full-time job as an account manager. Studying business or public relations might be particularly helpful in preparing you for the role of account manager. Seek out career advice from people already in the field and look for mentors along the way.
5. 5. Find an entry-level job. It’s customary to work in more entry-level positions in the industry before becoming a manager in any field. Trying your hand at sales support could help you become an account executive as easily as it could propel you toward being a sales manager. Don’t stress about getting the perfect entry-level job—just get your foot in the door to learn the skills you will need to eventually attain the account manager salary and position you desire.

Get the MasterClass Annual Membership for exclusive access to video lessons taught by business luminaries, including Sara Blakely, Chris Voss, Robin Roberts, Bob Iger, Howard Schultz, Anna Wintour, and more.