Account Manager Job Description (With Examples)

Every job description should include key pieces of information, including details about the company, an overview of the role responsibilities, requirements and any available salary information. “You’ll want to be specific and direct in terms of expectations for the role and what you are looking for. You want to also be able to answer the candidate questions within the job description to attract qualified candidates and get them excited,” Jack Smith, Director of Sales Recruiting Practice at Hirewell, tells Forbes Advisor.

When it comes to writing the post for a job description, Smith says it’s best to start with the big picture and then get into specifics. “You want to describe the company from a high level and why it would be great to work there. Then you want to dive into the day-to-day of the account manager role,” he says.

One point to note is that a job description used to advertise a role should be different from the one used internally by HR. “It’s very common (and lazy) for companies to copy/paste their descriptions as ads, which doesn’t yield very good results,” James Hornick, Partner at Hirewell, says. “Descriptions are boring internal HR/process documents that outline the duties of a position. An ad is like any other ad; its purpose is to generate interest, sell the opportunity and get people to apply.”

Below, you’ll find an outline of the key components that comprise a compelling job description to find the right candidate.

Job Brief

Here, you’ll include a brief overview of the position and what role the account manager will serve in the larger company. A job brief will provide a high-level description of the position in a couple of sentences. For example, this section might start with a sentence such as: “We are seeking an account manager who will develop existing relationships with our current clients and manage a portfolio of assigned clients.”

Company Introduction

Here, you’ll want to include an introductory paragraph of your company so potential employees will have some basic information about the team they’ll be applying to join.

Objectives

In this section, you’ll describe the account manager’s specific responsibilities. This section should clearly explain the main objectives of this role. You might also include the role the account manager will report to. Consider including the number of accounts the candidate will be managing. On the other hand, if it’s a role more focused on account maintenance and a relationship-focused role, you could specify that here.

Responsibilities

Saffro shared a list of the most common responsibilities for an account manager:

• Manage accounts of all sizes by representing your team externally with clients and internally by working with direct reports and supporting positions
• Develop a thorough understanding of the clients’ position in the market, their product/service, points of difference and competitive landscape
• Manage client input and feedback for all projects with detailed direction and timelines
• Establish and build strong working relationships with business leaders at all levels
• Manage day-to-day client communication and ongoing relationships as it relates to current, new and upcoming projects
• As necessary, visit clients, attend trade shows and other industry events to capitalize on networking and relationship-building opportunities
• Manage and coach the internal team
• Proactively remain connected to clients and the ever-changing market to access new search opportunities and ensure all viable clients are engaged on a regular and effective basis

Skills and Qualifications

Here’s a list of the skills and qualifications hiring managers looking for an account manager typically seek. The skills and qualifications will vary depending on the role and years of experience, but here are a few common examples Saffro shared.

• Bachelor’s degree preferred
• Experience with project management or account management
• Proven ability to consistently and positively contribute in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to effectively communicate with client leaders of all levels (C-level down to entry-level support roles)
• Ability to work independently and manage personal and team member time, keeping deliverables and deadlines top of mind
• Creative thinking and problem-solving aptitude
• Strong writing, phone and presentation skills

Preferred Qualifications and Additional Characteristics

A list of preferred qualifications may be a good place to specify certain areas of expertise or degrees that are not mandatory for the position but certainly helpful. It may also be a place to add additional characteristics that will support someone to excel in this role. Saffro shared her list of preferred qualifications and additional characteristics that make a great account manager.

• They are detail-oriented: Good account managers are generally very organized, thorough and productive. They seek to understand the cause and identify solutions that leverage their company’s product or service.
• They ask a lot of questions: Strong account managers want to fully understand what they’re working with. They are generally diligent with research and resourceful to ensure they’ve gotten a complete understanding of their clients’ needs.
• They are observant: Account managers should be able to sense moods and read body language so they know their audience and what to say at the right time.
• They are planners: Everyone counts on the account manager to come to meetings prepared with a plan and timeline. They understand that planning ahead will only set themselves, their team and their client up for success.
• They are highly productive: They are strong time managers and look to improve processes and maximize opportunities for high efficiency.

You’ll have to tailor the post to the specific account manager role you’re looking to hire, but the above outline is a great place to start. You may also want to include other elements such as benefits your company offers, further information on the company’s values and mission, and/or an equal employment opportunity statement for legal reasons.