An Account Manager is responsible for maintaining and developing relationships with clients for a company or organisation. This role involves ensuring that clients are satisfied with the products or services provided, handling any issues that arise, and working to identify new business opportunities. Account Managers often act as the main point of contact between the client and the company, coordinating with other departments to deliver on client needs and expectations. Strong communication, negotiation, and organisational skills are essential in this role. Account Managers may work in a range of sectors including advertising, finance, technology, and recruitment, and the job often involves meeting targets and deadlines.
The average salary for an Account Manager in the UK is around £30,000 to £40,000 per year, with experienced professionals earning up to £60,000 or more.
There are over 16,000 account management positions advertised annually across the UK, spanning various industries such as media, finance, and technology.
Many Account Managers progress to Senior Account Manager or Account Director roles within 3 to 5 years, often accompanied by significant salary increases.
Oversees client accounts specifically for digital marketing campaigns, including social media, online advertising, and web projects.
Focuses on managing relationships with the company's most important clients, ensuring their needs are met and identifying new business opportunities.
Manages accounts for clients in the pharmaceutical industry, coordinating product information, sales, and client support.
Focus on subjects such as English, Maths, Business Studies, or Economics to build communication and analytical skills.
Strong GCSE and A Level results are important for pursuing higher education or apprenticeships. Subjects like English and Business Studies help develop skills useful for client communications and understanding business contexts. Consider joining clubs or societies that enhance teamwork and leadership abilities.
Pursue higher education in Business, Marketing, Management, or a related field, or look for a higher-level apprenticeship in sales or customer service.
Many account managers hold degrees in business-related subjects, but it's also possible to enter the field via apprenticeships. Apprenticeships provide valuable work experience and can sometimes lead directly to account management roles. University courses often include placements or internships that build practical experience.
Apply for entry-level positions such as Sales Assistant, Customer Service Advisor, or Junior Account Executive.
These roles allow you to develop essential skills such as client communication, problem-solving, and working towards targets. Look for internships, work experience placements, or part-time jobs in sales or customer service while studying. This practical experience is highly valued by employers and helps you understand the day-to-day activities in account management.
Work on your ability to communicate clearly, build trust, and manage client expectations.
Account managers need to be excellent listeners, persuasive communicators, and able to handle challenging situations. You can build these skills through voluntary roles, customer-facing jobs, or participating in activities like debate clubs or student societies. Asking for feedback from colleagues and supervisors helps you improve continuously.
Apply for Account Manager or Key Account Manager positions in industries such as advertising, media, finance, or technology.
With a solid foundation of education and experience, you can apply for account management roles. Tailor your CV and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and successes from previous roles. Networking, professional social media profiles, and industry events can also open doors to new opportunities.
Pursue further training or professional qualifications to enhance your skills and knowledge.
Professional courses, such as those offered by the Chartered Institute of Marketing or the Institute of Sales Management, can deepen your industry knowledge and help you stand out. Staying up-to-date with industry trends and continually seeking feedback supports your growth and prepares you for more senior roles, such as Senior Account Manager or Account Director.
Oversees a team of sales representatives, sets sales goals, and develops strategies to drive company revenue.
Focuses on identifying new business opportunities and building relationships to grow the company’s client base.
Ensures clients achieve their desired outcomes while using a company’s products or services and works to maximise customer retention and satisfaction.
Explore relevant apprenticeships that can help you kickstart your career in Account Manager. Apprenticeships offer hands-on experience and training while earning a wage.
An Account Manager and an Insurance Account Manager both primarily focus on maintaining and developing client relationships within a specific sector. They require strong communication, customer service skills, and an understanding of the industry they serve, making the insurance role the closest match in terms of qualifications.
You can get into this job through:
You could take a degree before applying to join a company's management training scheme. Most subjects are accepted but you may have an advantage if you study:
You'll usually need:
You may be able to get into this job by doing an insurance professional higher apprenticeship, or degree apprenticeship for senior insurance professionals.
These take between 24 to 36 months to complete with a mix of workplace learning and study.
You'll usually need:
You could start as an insurance technician, underwriter or junior account handler and work your way up through training and promotion.
You could study for qualifications from the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII).
The CII qualifications offer study units relevant to the insurance areas you specialise in, for example marine, commercial or general insurance. Examples of qualifications include:
You could join the Chartered Insurance Institute for professional development and training opportunities.
You can find out more about working in insurance from the Chartered Insurance Institute and Step Forward.
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