Primarily, account managers are responsible for ensuring that all services are delivered to clients in the most satisfactory way and on time. In order for one to do this, he or she must make sure that all operations are going smooth and fast and that top quality standards are maintained during the process. Aside from that, managers should also be able to understand the client's business operations, identify their goals and look for the best and the most cost-effective means to achieve them. This will also include creating timelines and budget forecasts for operation needs and communicating with sub-contractors, when needed.
An account manager's responsibility also goes beyond operations. He or she is also responsible for marketing the product as well. Any account manager knows how important it is to create good product image and to establish that name in the market. It could mean the life and death of a business. Thus, he or she should also be familiar with the advertising industry and if not, be able to tap on to advertising professionals who can do the marketing for the company. Either way, they should be able to give the client's products the right exposure and make it sellable, or better yet, beat all competitions in the market.
The working environment can be quite stressful as well. This is because account manager jobs are usually the forefront of any business operation. They are the ones who are called first when problems and concerns arise for both clients and workers. If workers below them need to work on overtime, then they are required to follow the work schedule as well. But aside from that, they are also called upon by the big bosses to attend events and meetings to represent the entire workforce in the company.
Because of the extremely wide range of responsibilities, account managers need to have appropriate training and educational backgrounds to be able to fill the position. First off, preferred applicants should have a good marketing or business degree. But sometimes, employers will also consider applicants with different degrees, as long as they exhibit the needed skills to qualify for the position.
Apart from a good educational background, account manager candidates should also have good leadership and management skills. These qualities are something that you can not get just at school, but should be developed and practiced. He or she should also have good communication and social skills - to represent both the workers and the client.
So if you think you are up to the challenge, then the best way to start off your career would be to invest in a good marketing or business degree. The better you perform at school and the more skills you develop, the better chances you have at landing good account manager jobs in the industry.
