The Timberseed Guide to Graduate Account Management Roles

Graduate Account Management

Have you got top time management skills, a knack for delivering excellent client service and an analytical mind balanced with interpersonal prowess?

Then a role in Graduate Account Management might be the perfect chance for you to shine.

At Timberseed, we work with a truly exclusive database of industry-leading technology clients that provide software as a service (SaaS). We’re looking to find exceptional talent to thrive within these businesses, offering both UK and international opportunities.

We pair fantastic candidates with these organisations, giving graduates the keys to unlock a rewarding career in one of the most varied, forward-thinking sectors around.

No matter your previous experience, our team will be able to look beyond your CV and polish your unique skill set, finding you amazing graduate job opportunities that will challenge and excite you.

We take the time to discover what your dreams and goals are while offering access to our unmatched resources and tips.

From CV tailoring to bespoke interview tips, we’re with you every step of the way, with a proven track record of securing fantastic Account Management roles for candidates who have gone on to have very successful careers.

Send your CV to our dedicated team of recruiters today to start your journey.

After all, there are no dull days at Timberseed.

We think life’s better that way.

Want to find out more about what you can expect from a Graduate Account Manager role? We’ll cover everything you need to know in this Insider’s Guide.

What is a Graduate Account Manager?

At Timberseed, we work on behalf of a number of clients.

We specialise in placing candidates in a number of roles across the SaaS sales pipeline, including business development and client account management – such as Graduate Account Management roles.

So, what’s the job description?

In short, an Account Manager is a person whose main focus is growing and cultivating their business’s financial interests by identifying opportunities for upselling, successfully renewing contracts by showcasing new details and benefits and covering these bases on clients old and new.

Using their exceptional people skills, they also act as the go-between for other departments, using excellent judgement to funnel clients to the most appropriate person within the client services team.

As a Graduate Account Manager, you’ll be motivated by hitting – and powering through – financial targets and meeting KPIs as part of a wider business strategy, using your winning smarts, dedication, and personality to build solid relationships with clients.

Using a variety of contact methods, you’ll be a trusted face that your clients see on a regular basis. This means you’ll be an ‘ambassador’ of sorts for your business, giving you the chance to make your mark and continue forging those all-important customer links throughout the course of their retainer.

This may mean pointing them in the right direction when it comes to potential upsells, contract renewals and making sure they are happy with their service. From increasing your client’s annual product purchase to introducing them to another beneficial service on your company’s roster, boosting revenue while ensuring ultimate customer satisfaction will be your top priority.

Ideally, you’ll already have between one to five years’ experience in a similar role or sales background, using your personable skills to keep your client on board for at least a year. A lost account means lost money, which makes this role one of the most vital within a business’s sales cycle.

At Timberseed, we’ll look at your existing skill set and see where you can develop within the role, offering helpful coaching throughout the application process.

Our clients also offer excellent training for every role, so you’ll have all the tools you need to progress and excel within your field.

We know that talent isn’t just cultivated alone. That’s why we put in the work to ensure you reach your full potential.

Want to find out more about how Timberseed can turn your first career step into a stride? Get in touch with us today. 

What responsibilities will I have as a Graduate Account Manager?

For those of you looking for plenty of opportunities to show off your organisational skills and employ excellent communication within a dynamic, fast-paced environment, you’ve come to the right place.

Although the product you are selling will differ from company to company, the responsibilities expected of a Graduate Account Manager generally stay the same.

As a Graduate Account Manager, you’ll be hitting the ground running when it comes to maintaining business relationships and smoothing out any issues.

Here’s what you can expect from the role:

Sales cycle management

Your ability to organise, note, and mediate any and every aspect of sales will be crucial in managing the entire cycle. That means you’re front and centre when it comes to guaranteeing customer retention, carrying them through the relevant processes and highlighting additional products that may be of interest.

You’ll think quickly on your feet in order to meet tight deadlines and make sure your clients are happy, ensuring every point of contact is optimised for business.

Build long-lasting relationships with clients

As the name suggestions, relationships are crucial within this role.

Positioned at the helm of your accounts, you’ll be expected to make regular contact with clients, draw their attention to your complete business offering and ensure that those crucial renewal contracts get signed.

It’s not just about landing the sale, though – you’ll be consistently checking in on your accounts and making sure that everything is running smoothly, providing unmatched support to build trust and retain your loyal customer base.

Plan and deliver

A huge part of working in sales – whether that’s for SaaS, fintech or beyond – is meeting annual sales targets. As a successful candidate, you’ll be driven by these goals, with this role giving you plenty of opportunity to create and implement your own strategies and business plans to make sure you meet them.

If you are able to understand your clients needs and translate them into actionable plans, you’re in an excellent position to show your creative thinking.

Manage client comms

As well as meeting those quotas and building client relationships, one of the key responsibilities of any Account Manager is to keep on top of general customer communications.

This is a general term, encompassing the need to respond to any issues or complaints your clients may have, addressing and resolving them to the best of your ability. This not only solidifies your reputation and stokes trust in your working relationship but also garners brand loyalty and boosts your business’ reputation.

What’s a typical working day like?

As a Graduate Account Manager, your day-to-day requirements can differ depending on the company and business you find yourself in, as this is one of the most varied roles within SaaS sales.

Overall, Account Managers are some of the main drivers of revenue for businesses, responsible for strengthening and maintaining client relationships while maximising retainers for growth.

There’s plenty to get your teeth into within this kind of role, with an ever-moving roster of clients and business relationships that need to be kept happy and healthy.

For those of you that are confident, driven and self-motivating, you’ll love nothing more than working through the following daily tasks to ensure your customers get the very best service:

• Account and Client Management

As the job title suggests, there’s a fair bit of management involved. Once a deal has passed a certain point, the client will then be handed to you to make sure that everything is running smoothly and any services have been dispensed.

Making sure the prospect is happy and satisfied with their product and after-sale care is top of your priority, which can be done by pulling in any relevant departments and staff to facilitate this.

This role is all about using those excellent organisation skills to spin lots of plates, which makes it all the more rewarding when you get those retained clients coming back year after year!

• Keeping contact with people

It might seem like a given, but any Account Manager worth their salt will have excellent communication skills – as well as great writing and notation ability. Beyond a gift for talking to people, you’ll be expected to manage all streams of client comms, whether that’s over the phone, over email or during a face-to-face discussion.

Although we rely on digital communication all the more across a number of sectors, your clients will look to you as a reliable, human point of contact – so it helps to be as personable and friendly as possible when dealing with client meetings.

Can I work remotely as an Account Manager?

At Timberseed, our clients can be found internationally.

So whether that means you’re ready for a new and exciting adventure in a city like Berlin or Paris or are looking for a role closer to home, we can make sure your career meets you wherever you need it to.

But we know that variety is the spice of life.

The option for remote working is one that is becoming increasingly popular within the sectors where we recruit, meaning that you can pursue the role of your dreams wherever you log on.

Just let us know your preferences and requirements when you get in touch with us with your CV. We’ll point you in the right direction.

What’s the average salary for this role? 

For a Graduate Account Manager first starting out in the world of sales, a basic salary in the UK is marked at around £21,000 to £22,000.

But for candidates successfully placed with one of our clients here at Timberseed, you can expect roughly £30 to £40k as a base salary – plus bonuses, within the first year.

This is the total pay you can expect to receive if you meet the average ‘OTE’, also known as ‘on-target earnings’ within a sales role. So, if you’re a graduate with a passion and talent for meeting sales targets, your strong performance here will truly pay off.

As such, this makes an Account Management role within tech sales and SaaS one of the best choices to start your career in, with plenty of room for progression in terms of self-development and earnings.

What skills do I need to excel as a Graduate Account Manager?

As mentioned before, you don’t have to have previous customer service experience in order to make your mark as a Graduate Account Manager.

We have our eyes peeled for exceptional candidates who are passionate, driven and have that extra ‘something special’.

After all, what makes you stand out from the crowd can often be the missing ingredient that businesses are looking for.

At Timberseed, we look at your hard and soft skill sets before matching you with roles we think you’ll enjoy and thrive in. But if you’re looking for a bit of a cheat sheet, we’ve got you covered.

Here’s some of the skills that you’ll have in your toolbox to be a great Graduate Account Manager:

• Aptitude for technology

As well as the usual culprits, such as LinkedIn, MS Office, Google Suite and a number of other applications, knowledge of CRM software is a bonus.

Even if you haven’t had relevant work experience using the more industry-focused tech, having a mind open to learning will seriously come in handy.

• Excellent interpersonal skills

This role is all about building those key relationships.

As a Graduate Account Manager, you’ll be constantly talking and relaying information to clients and other members of your team, so being bright, empathetic and person-oriented is a no-brainer.

You’ll also be a great listener, taking the time to understand your clients’ needs and requirements, with the ability to negotiate and pass on details to a number of different people across the business.

• Great organisational and time-management skills

As with any sales job, managing your time effectively is crucial.

As an Account Manager, you could be handling many clients simultaneously, which means they all deserve the same amount of attention and dedication.

Candidates who are able to work proactively to maximise those minutes will go far in this career, especially in such a fast-paced and varied environment!

• Passion power

When you love to create great customer experiences, it shows.

So making sure you always greet your clients and other members of your team with passion and enthusiasm really does go a long way. When you’re keen to learn, easy to get along with, and have a real desire to deliver fantastic results, the rest will come easy.

FAQs

 What’s the average salary for this role?

For a Graduate Account Manager starting out, the average basic salary in the UK ranges from £21,000 to £22,000. However, candidates placed by Timberseed can expect a base salary of approximately £30,000 to £40,000 in addition to bonuses within the first year, depending on meeting sales targets. This role offers significant potential for earning through on-target earnings (OTE) and presents ample room for career growth and development.

What skills do I need to excel as a Graduate Account Manager?

To excel in a Graduate Account Manager role, candidates require a combination of hard and soft skills. Essential skills include aptitude for technology, proficiency in CRM software, excellent interpersonal skills for building and maintaining client relationships, strong organisational and time-management abilities to handle multiple clients effectively, and a passionate approach towards delivering exceptional customer experiences. Timberseed evaluates candidates based on these skills to match them with suitable roles.

Can I work remotely as an Account Manager?

Yes, remote work options are available for Account Managers, especially in sectors like SaaS sales. With Timberseed’s international client base, remote work offers flexibility in location while fulfilling job responsibilities. Remote working opportunities are increasingly popular in sectors Timberseed recruits for, allowing candidates to pursue their career aspirations from anywhere. Simply inform Timberseed of your preferences and requirements, and they will guide you towards suitable remote opportunities based on your needs.

Get in touch with Timberseed today 

There’s nothing we love more than hearing from graduates who are looking for a challenge following their studies.

For tailored advice, bespoke guidance and practical tips, as well as a wealth of knowledge and access to unique opportunities that can’t be found anywhere else, send us your CV or drop us an email to get started.