Account Executive
Controller Job Description
Account executives are part of a sales team. It is a job title found primarily at advertising agencies, public relations firms, financial services companies, and technology companies. Responsibilities for account executives vary from company to company. Some are primarily responsible for building great relationships with potential customers and closing business for their organization. Other account executives support existing client accounts to manage, grow, and renew those accounts. And some account executives are responsible for both closing new business and managing existing accounts. Although they are called executives, they’re not executives in the traditional sense because they don’t typically manage a team. Instead, they represent the company as the primary company contact for new and existing clients.
Account executives typically need to know how to use word-processing software to write documents and contracts. They also need to know the basics of spreadsheet programs to track goals and quotas. To share concepts and results with clients and stakeholders, account executives need strong public speaking skills. In this role, you may also need to know how to design slideshow presentations. When you manage multiple customers at various stages of the sales journey, CRM software can track everything from upcoming tasks to prior points of contact. Account executives communicate via email, over the phone and in person. To improve your communication skills, practice listening carefully, conveying your key points clearly and asking for feedback to continue bettering your abilities. As an account executive, you are responsible for building relationships and meeting client needs. To work on your interpersonal skills, look for things you have in common with others, practice active listening and strive to see your client’s perspective. To excel in this role, you should be able to sell products and services to clients. You can improve your sales skills by studying why customers buy, framing your sales messages effectively and creating connections with clients.
Account executives typically need to have an undergraduate degree in business administration, communications, marketing or a related field. Some account executives also earn a master’s degree in business or marketing, especially if they intend to pursue executive roles later in their careers. However, you typically only need only a bachelor’s degree for this career.
Typical duties of a Controller
• Create detailed business plans designed to attain predetermined goals and quotas
• Manage the entire sales cycle from finding a client to securing a deal
• Unearth new sales opportunities through networking and turn them into long-term partnerships
• Present products to prospective clients
• Provide professional after-sales support to maximize customer loyalty
• Remain in regular contact with your clients to understand and meet their needs
• Respond to complaints and resolve issues to the customer’s satisfaction and to maintain the company’s reputation
• Negotiate agreements and keep records of sales and data
Skills:
• Knowledge of market research, sales and negotiating principles
• Outstanding knowledge of MS Office; knowledge of CRM software (eg. Salesforce) is a plus
• Excellent communication/presentation skills and ability to build relationships
• Organizational and time-management skills
• A business acumen
• Enthusiastic and passionate
Qualifications: BSc or BA in business administration, sales or marketing