Teacher Career Change Ideas - Account Management

If you enjoy working with others, have a passion for business and possess excellent communication skills then you could just be in the right place to

So, you’re considering becoming an account manager?

Account management is a varied and beneficial career path that combines relationship-building, problem-solving and strategic thinking. Account managers can take home a salary of between 20-70K … with progression to account director offering upwards of 100K in some industries.

If you enjoy working with others, have a passion for business and possess excellent communication skills then you could just be in the right place to hear all about your perfect career! Let’s learn more about what it takes to become an account manager, what the role entails, where you could progress to and how your current skills might translate to this new position …

So – what exactly is account management?

An account manager is responsible for building and maintaining relationships with clients on behalf of a company. They serve as the main point of contact for clients, working to understand their needs and ensure that the company delivers on its promises and meets their expectations. They may also be required to connect with new customers and attract their business to the company.

Account managers play an important role in maintaining client satisfaction, fostering loyalty and promoting business growth through developing new relationships and opportunities.

Account management might be for you if …

You possess strong interpersonal skills which enable you to listen and understand the needs of others, whilst also articulating solutions and strategies.
You enjoy and excel at building relationships, establishing trust and fostering long-term working partnerships.
You have a customer-focussed mindset and are dedicated to providing excellent care and service.
You are a problem-solver who can think critically, analyse situations and explore creative solutions.
You hold strong organisational skills and can confidently prioritise tasks, manage time effectively and meet deadlines.
You have a good understanding of business principles and industry trends.
You are resilient and flexible whilst also remaining calm under pressure.
You are motivated by achieving results and meeting targets; keen to contribute to the overall success of the company.

But what does an account manager actually do on a daily basis?

The daily tasks of an account manager can be fluid and vary based on client needs, industry trends and company priorities. Here are some of the common tasks that account managers may engage in:

Client Communication: Answering client queries, providing updates on ongoing projects, addressing any concerns and offering assistance through phone calls, emails, video conferences or in-person meetings.
Relationship Building: Spending time getting to know clients in order to understand their goals, challenges and preferences.
Account Planning and Strategy: Developing strategic plans to meet client objectives by analysing data, conducting research, brainstorming ideas and collaborating with other teams.
Project Management: Overseeing projects and initiatives on behalf of clients to ensure that things are progressing smoothly, sticking to timelines and meeting expectations.
Upselling and Cross-selling: Working on increasing revenue by identifying opportunities to upsell or cross-sell products or services to existing clients.
Performance Analysis and Reporting: Looking at key performance indicators (KPIs) to assess the performance of accounts and preparing reports or presentations to share with stakeholders.
Problem-solving: Collaborating with internal teams to address client concerns promptly.
Administrative Tasks: Preparing contracts, managing agreements, updating client records and maintaining accurate documentation of client interactions.

What should I consider doing if I’m thinking about getting into account management?

If you are thinking about a career as an account manager, here are some key steps to help you succeed:

Gain customer-facing experience: You may already have a wealth of experience working with various stakeholders, but any other opportunities to work or volunteer in client-facing positions will further your understanding of customer needs, building relationships and managing expectations.

Pursue professional development opportunities: Attend conferences, workshops or webinars related to account management, customer relationship management and business management. Although not necessary, you may also consider completing certificates and qualifications to demonstrate your knowledge in these areas.

Deepen your industry knowledge: Consider the type of industry you might choose to work in as an account manager and stay updated on industry trends, market dynamics, competitors and emerging technologies. This insight will help you provide key information and tailored solutions to your clients.

Develop interpersonal skills: Take advantage of on-the-job learning and additional training opportunities to improve your verbal and written communication abilities, active listening skills and empathy.

Build a professional network: Attend industry events and engage with other professionals to create valuable connections, potential job opportunities and access to industry insights and best practices.

Grow your sales and negotiation skills: Take courses or seek mentorship in order to develop skills in sales techniques, negotiation strategies and contract management. An understanding of sales process and the ability to identify opportunities for growth is important to the role of an account manager.

There can be many different routes into a career in account management, including transitioning in from related roles within other organisations. Staying proactive, seizing learning opportunities and being open to continuous skill development will put you in the best position to be successful on this journey.

What are the career development opportunities in account management?

There are lots of opportunities within account management for growth and advancement:

Specialism: There are a number of different areas in which account managers can specialise:

Regional – Looking after client accounts within a region. This role typically requires more travel.
National – Managing the accounts of clients nationally, usually working with several clients around the UK.
Key (major) – Taking care of key accounts that carry the most business for a company.
International – Dealing with the accounts of clients globally.
Field-based – Travelling out to meet different clients and visit a number of sites, requiring a lot of travel.
New business development – Responsible for generating new business growth through extensive networking, market research and strategic planning.

Account managers may also become experts within a particular field or industry.

Leadership and management: These opportunities could involve overseeing a team of account managers, providing guidance and wellbeing support, setting performance targets and driving the overall success of the department.

Senior positions: Senior account managers typically handle larger, more complex accounts and additional responsibilities such as mentoring junior staff, overseeing strategic account planning and shaping the overall account management strategy of the organisation.

Entrepreneurship and consulting: With experience, account managers can start their own consulting firms offering specialised services or expertise within an industry.

Why do teachers make great account managers?

You are already a fantastic communicator who is well-practiced in explaining concepts to diverse audiences, adapting your communication style to meet the needs of different learners and conveying complex information clearly and concisely.
You have an amazing ability to listen attentively and empathetically, being sensitive to other’s needs, concerns and feedback.
You are so adaptable, constantly working to meet individual needs and respond to new challenges and changes.
You are well versed in building lots of positive and supportive relationships, quickly establishing trust and fostering collaboration.
You are a natural problem-solver. You can analyse complex situations, identify root causes and develop creative solutions.
You have strong organisational and time-management skills and are used to managing multiple tasks and working to deadlines.
You have endless patience and empathy, remaining calm and supportive in the face of difficulties.
You embrace continuous learning and embody the idea of growth mindset.

The transferable skills gained through teaching can be valuable assets in the dynamic and fulfilling world of account management. If you thrive on building-relationships, problem solving and strategic thinking then consider becoming an account manager – this career could be a great match for you!