What Does a Relationship Manager Do?
Relationship Managers typically work for corporations across industries to make sure business clients feel valued. They work closely with the sales, marketing and customer service teams to develop new ways to attract clients and reduce client turnover. Their job is to understand their employer’s values and the types of products they offer to best represent their employer during client meetings. They may also be responsible for creating client satisfaction surveys and negotiating payment terms.
Relationship Manager Skills and Qualifications
A successful Relationship Manager candidate will have various prerequisite skills and qualifications needed for duties. Candidates require a bachelor’s degree in business administration or a related field to gain employment. The best applicants will have experience in customer relations service, sales or other customer-facing roles. Relationship Managers need excellent communication and presentation skills.
Here are examples of Relationship Manager skills:
- Bachelor in business administration, marketing or a related field
- Three or more years’ experience in customer service, sales or a related position
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to lead and work within a team
- Excellent conflict resolution and interpersonal skills and ability to build lasting relationships with clients
- Exceptional organization skills and a strong work ethic
Relationship Manager Salary Expectations
A Relationship Manager earns an average salary of $72,019 per year. Earnings can depend on the size of the employer, the industry, geographical location, educational qualification and work experience.
Relationship Manager Education and Training Requirements
Relationship Managers need at least a bachelor’s degree for employment. Some employers require years of work experience in their industry. Candidates with a background in sales or customer relations management may have a higher chance of getting hired. Employers provide on-the-job training to familiarize new Relationship Managers with their customer relationship management system (CRM) and offers.
The ideal Relationship Manager candidate will be proficient in CRM tools. This will allow them to analyze client data, identify trends and recommend strategies to improve company practices. They need impeccable communication skills to interact with clients, partners and internal personnel. Relationship Managers will be fast learners because their work involves educating customers about their company’s offers. Presentation skills and proficiency in computer application programs are essential for the success of a Relationship Manager.
Relationship Manager Experience Requirements
Relationship Managers need experience in customer relationships or business relations management. The candidates will be comfortable interacting with customers and helping them solve their problems. They will have knowledge of using customer satisfaction surveys to measure how users feel about their company’s products or services.
Experienced Relationship Managers are adept at identifying promising leads. They assist the sales department to create new and repeat business opportunities through client support activities. Candidates will have excellent interpersonal skills and know how to diffuse tense situations.
Job Description Samples for Similar Positions
Here are job descriptions for Relationship Manager related positions: