What Does a Partner Account Manager Do?

Partner account managers are responsible for managing the relationship between their company and a third party. They work with vendors, suppliers, contractors, or other partners to ensure that both parties are happy with the arrangement.

Partner account managers may also be tasked with identifying new business opportunities or ways to improve existing relationships. This might include recommending changes to current products or services, suggesting new offerings, or even finding new vendors to work with in the future.

Partner Account Manager Job Duties

A partner account manager typically has a wide range of responsibilities, which can include:

• Monitoring industry trends and sales data to identify new opportunities or challenges in the marketplace
• Coordinating with outside vendors to provide services such as printing brochures or mailers to promote products or services
• Meeting with clients or potential clients to assess their needs, develop solutions, and present proposals
• Acting as a liaison between clients and other departments within the company to ensure that projects are completed on schedule and within budget
• Participating in internal training activities to ensure that all employees are knowledgeable about new products and services
• Reviewing financial statements and performance reports to identify areas for improvement or growth
• Acting as a liaison between clients and other departments within the company to ensure that projects are completed on schedule and within budget
• Selling products by educating customers on the benefits of buying from the company or convincing clients to purchase goods or services through persuasion and negotiation techniques
• Preparing bids, proposals, contracts, or other documents that are related to sales or marketing agreements

Partner Account Manager Salary & Outlook

Partner account managers’ salaries vary depending on their level of education, years of experience, and the size and industry of the company. They may also earn additional compensation in the form of commissions and bonuses.

• Median Annual Salary: $82,500 ($39.66/hour)
• Top 10% Annual Salary: $495,000 ($237.98/hour)

The employment of partner account managers is expected to grow faster than average over the next decade.

Demand for these workers will be driven by the continued growth of e-commerce and online retail sales. As more consumers shop online, demand for partner account managers will increase because they will be responsible for managing relationships with online retailers.

Related: Partner Account Manager Interview Questions and Answers

Partner Account Manager Job Requirements

A partner account manager typically needs the following qualifications:

Education: Most employers require a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as business, finance or accounting. Some employers prefer candidates who have a master’s degree in business administration (MBA). An MBA can help you gain the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in this role.

Training & Experience: Many employers will provide on-the-job training for new account managers. This training will help you learn the specific processes and procedures of the company. You may also receive training in the company’s software and computer systems.

Certifications & Licenses: While certifications are not required for the typical partner account manager role, they can offer valuable knowledge and skills that make you a more competitive candidate during the hiring process.

Partner Account Manager Skills

Partner account managers need the following skills in order to be successful:

Communication skills: Communication skills are essential for a sales role, as you must be able to convey information to customers and potential customers. You may use a variety of communication methods, including in-person, phone, email and social media. Effective communication skills can help you develop relationships with customers and colleagues, as well as convey product information and company updates.

Technical knowledge: As a partner account manager, you may be responsible for managing a company’s website, social media accounts and other online resources. Having technical knowledge can help you manage these resources effectively and efficiently. You can also use your technical knowledge to help your clients navigate the digital world.

Relationship building: Relationship building is the ability to form connections with others. As a partner account manager, you may work with clients for extended periods of time. This means you need to be able to build trust and rapport with them. You can use relationship building skills to help clients feel comfortable with the products or services you offer.

Problem-solving: Problem-solving skills allow you to identify and resolve issues. As a partner account manager, you may be responsible for resolving customer complaints or questions. This can involve working with other departments to find solutions. You may also be responsible for identifying and resolving issues that arise during the sales process.

Decision making: As a partner account manager, you may be responsible for making decisions about which products to promote, how to approach potential customers and how to handle customer complaints. Effective decision making can help you make the best choices for your company and customers.

Partner Account Manager Work Environment

The partner account manager works in an office environment and typically works a regular 40-hour week. However, some travel may be required to visit clients or attend conferences. Overtime may be necessary to meet deadlines or to complete projects. The partner account manager may work closely with other members of the sales team and must be able to effectively communicate and collaborate. The job can be stressful at times, but the partner account manager is typically able to manage stress and meet deadlines.

Partner Account Manager Trends

Here are three trends influencing how partner account managers work. Partner account managers will need to stay up-to-date on these developments to keep their skills relevant and maintain a competitive advantage in the workplace.

The Need for a More Strategic Approach to Partnering

The world of business is changing, and the role of the partner is evolving along with it. In the past, partners were often seen as suppliers that could be used to meet short-term needs. However, businesses are now realizing that partnerships can be a strategic tool that can be used to help them achieve long-term goals.

This shift in thinking means that partner account managers will need to develop a more strategic approach to partnering. They will need to be able to identify opportunities for collaboration that will have a lasting impact on their company’s bottom line. Additionally, they will need to be able to communicate the value of partnerships to other departments within their company.

More Focus on Digital Marketing

As digital marketing becomes more important, businesses are beginning to focus on hiring professionals who specialize in this area. This is because digital marketing offers many benefits over traditional marketing methods, such as the ability to target specific audiences based on their interests and preferences.

Partner account managers can take advantage of this trend by becoming experts in digital marketing. This will allow them to help their clients reach new customers and grow their businesses.

A Greater Emphasis on Customer Experience

Customer experience has become an increasingly important factor in determining the success of a business. Customers are looking for businesses that provide a positive experience from start to finish, and those that fail to do so will quickly lose their business.

Partner account managers can play a key role in ensuring that customer experience is a top priority for their company. By working closely with customer service representatives and sales teams, they can ensure that customers are being treated well throughout the entire process.

How to Become a Partner Account Manager

A successful career as a partner account manager can be achieved by following a few key steps. First, it’s important to develop strong relationships with both your clients and your team members. This will help you build trust and credibility, which are essential for success in this role. You should also stay up-to-date on the latest industry trends and developments so that you can offer the best solutions to your clients’ needs.

Finally, it’s important to always put the customer first. Always strive to provide excellent service and exceed expectations.

Advancement Prospects

The best way to advance as a partner account manager is to develop a strong relationship with your clients. By understanding their needs and goals, you will be in a better position to provide them with the services they need. In addition, you should always be looking for ways to improve your own skills and knowledge. Keeping up with the latest industry trends will make you more valuable to your clients and will help you get ahead of your competition. As you develop your skills and knowledge, you may also want to consider pursuing additional certifications. These can help you stand out from other partner account managers and can give you an edge when it comes to getting new clients or promotions.

Partner Account Manager Job Description Example

As a Partner Account Manager at [CompanyX], you will be responsible for developing and managing relationships with our key partners. This will include working with partners to help them understand our products and how to best use them to drive value for their customers. Additionally, you will be responsible for ensuring that our partners are successful in meeting their business objectives. This will require working with multiple teams within [CompanyX] to drive alignment and ensure that our partners are receiving the support they need. The ideal candidate will have experience working with and managing relationships with partners, as well as experience working in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary point of contact for a portfolio of assigned accounts, developing and maintaining strong relationships with key decision-makers
• Understand customer business objectives and challenges, and develop strategies to address them
• Negotiate and manage commercial agreements, ensuring compliance with company policies
• Achieve quarterly and annual sales targets by executing account plans that maximize revenue growth and profitability
• Drive adoption and expansion of our products and services within assigned accounts
• Serve as an expert on our products and solutions, providing guidance and training to customers
• collaborate with cross-functional teams—including product, engineering, marketing, and support—to ensure successful partner onboarding and continued success
• Monitor industry trends and competitor activity, and share insights with internal stakeholders
• Provide input on product development based on feedback from customers
• Generate reports on account performance and activity, highlighting risks and opportunities
• Stay up-to-date on company policies and procedures, and ensure compliance in all interactions with customers
• Proactively identify and resolve issues that could impact customer satisfaction

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, or related field
• 7+ years of sales or account management experience with a proven track record of success
• Excellent communication, presentation, and negotiation skills
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, Salesforce, and other relevant software programs

Preferred Skills and Qualifications

• MBA or other advanced degree
• Experience working in the technology industry
• Channel sales experience
• Fluency in more than one language