An account executive is a sales role that involves managing relationships with existing customers and identifying new business opportunities. Account executives are responsible for maintaining and growing a portfolio of accounts, which can include both individual customers and larger organizations. They typically work closely with other members of the sales team, such as business development representatives (BDRs) and sales development representatives (SDRs), to identify and pursue new sales opportunities. Account executives are typically expected to have a strong understanding of their company's products or services, as well as the needs of their customers, in order to effectively sell to and manage relationships with those customers.
This can involve a wide range of tasks, including:
Overall, the main goal of an account executive is to ensure that the company's clients are satisfied and that the company is meeting their needs. This requires a combination of strong communication skills, problem-solving ability, and a thorough understanding of the company's products or services.
This typically involves developing and maintaining relationships with key decision makers at these accounts, as well as identifying new business opportunities and negotiating sales contracts. Account executives are typically focused on meeting or exceeding sales targets, and may work with other members of the sales team to develop strategies for achieving these goals. In addition to their sales responsibilities, account executives may also be responsible for providing ongoing support and service to their customers, to ensure that they remain satisfied and continue to do business with the company.
There are several reasons why someone might choose to become an account executive. Some of the most common reasons include the following:
An SDR (sales development representative) or BDR (business development representative) is a sales role that focuses on generating leads and qualifying potential customers for the account executive team to follow up with. In general, an account executive is more focused on closing deals and managing relationships with clients, while an SDR or BDR is focused on the early stages of the sales process.