Account Managers are responsible for maintaining and developing relationships with clients for a company or organisation. They act as the main point of contact, ensuring that clients' needs are met and that they are satisfied with the services or products provided. Typical tasks include communicating with clients, coordinating with internal teams, resolving issues, and identifying opportunities to upsell or cross-sell services. The role requires strong organisational, negotiation, and communication skills. Account Managers often work in industries such as advertising, marketing, IT, finance, and recruitment. This role can lead to senior positions such as Account Director or Client Services Manager.
Account Managers in the UK typically earn between £25,000 and £45,000 per year, with experienced professionals in larger firms earning up to £60,000 or more.
There are over 20,000 account manager positions advertised annually across the UK in sectors such as finance, marketing, IT, and media.
Demand for account managers is expected to grow by around 6 percent over the next five years, particularly in digital and technology-focused industries.
Focuses on managing client relationships for digital marketing campaigns, including social media, online advertising, and website projects.
Specialises in managing the most important client accounts for a business, often in sectors like retail, technology, or manufacturing.
Works closely with clients to sell products or services, managing contracts, negotiations, and ongoing client needs.
Focus on developing clear and confident verbal and written communication.
Strong communication is essential for Account Managers, who need to interact with clients and internal teams daily. You can improve these skills through roles in customer service, taking part in school debates, or joining public speaking clubs.
Learn to work well with others and manage multiple tasks efficiently.
Account Managers often juggle several clients and projects, so being organised and a good team player is vital. Try participating in group projects, volunteering, or taking on roles that require coordination with others.
Achieve good GCSEs, especially in English and Maths.
Employers typically look for a solid standard of education. English and Maths are particularly important as they underpin communication and analytical skills used in account management.
Study for A-levels or a relevant Level 3 qualification, and consider a university degree in business, marketing, or a related field.
A university degree is not always required, but it may improve your chances, especially for larger companies. Relevant subjects include business management, marketing, or communications. Alternatively, apprenticeships in sales or business administration can provide practical experience.
Apply for jobs such as Sales Assistant, Customer Service Advisor, or Junior Account Executive.
These roles will help you understand customer needs, how to deliver solutions, and how to work within a sales or client-facing environment. Progression to Account Manager usually follows after gaining experience and demonstrating success in these positions.
Attend industry events, join professional networks, and connect with people in sales and marketing roles.
Networking helps you learn about job opportunities, industry trends, and best practices. LinkedIn and professional associations such as the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) are useful platforms for building your network.
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 managing client relationships, ensuring customer satisfaction, and handling account-related inquiries. They require strong communication skills, client servicing abilities, and knowledge of their specific industry, making them closely aligned in terms of qualifications and responsibilities.
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.
Explore other careers or use our AI to discover personalised paths based on your interests.
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