Account manager jobs basically entail building and retaining client relations, as well as the management of sales. Each account manager is allocated clients who’s interests they will represent.

The company represents the clients according to the intelligence gathered by account managers. These could be sales teams or advertising executives, depending on the business.

The maintenance of client relationships is another aspect of the job. Relationships are strengthened by regular meetings, either in offices or on the golf course, depending on the client. This can be hard work, but it is important to get important clients to continue using the company.

Further, it is the account manager’s job to source new business. Presentations for potential clients is one way of winning their confidence. You need to research what their needs are and make sure you can show that you will be able to meet them. Because deals can hinge on these presentations, they can be rather stressful.

The size of the company you work for will shape the role to some extent. The number of accounts you manage depends on the resources available to your company. Accounts exist at all levels, local, national and international.

Good account managers possess the following skills and attributes:

• Good organisational skills
• Excellent communication
• Understand how to work well with a team
• Thick skinned
• Natural leader

Experience as an account executive an a business degree are needed to be an account manager. If you show yourself as a hard worker with the attributes described above it should only be a matter of time before you are promoted. The role carries a lot of responsibility, but is financially rewarding too.