Technical account management is a crucial role in today’s increasingly complex and technology-driven business environment. With the surge in digital transformation, companies need a way to manage their technology investments and ensure that their IT systems are running efficiently and delivering the desired results. A technical account manager is responsible for linking the customer’s needs to the technology solutions that are available. They serve as a liaison between the customer and the technical staff, ensuring that the customer’s requirements are understood and that the technology solutions implemented meet those requirements. They are also responsible for providing support and guidance to the customer throughout the life of the technology investment. The technical account manager is a vital part of the customer experience and serves as a single point of contact for the customer’s technical needs. In this blog post, we’ll explore the role of the technical account manager in more detail and discuss the specific duties they are responsible for.
What does a technical account manager do?
A technical account manager’s main responsibilities include the following:
What is a technical account manager?
A technical account manager is a member of the customer service team who instructs clients on how to use new products. Many technical account managers collaborate closely with sales representatives at their businesses to provide guidance on what features to emphasize when making product pitches and how to improve customer retention. Technical account managers frequently have knowledge of technology that they can use to assist clients with technological products, but they can also benefit from industry-specific knowledge because they can find employment in most sectors that involve selling products.
How to become a technical account manager
The following actions can help you launch your career as a technical account manager:
1. Earn a bachelors degree
Earning a bachelor’s degree is the first step in becoming a technical account manager because this is typically the position’s minimum educational requirement. Most candidates major in areas like advertising or communications because technical account managers frequently assist customers with ideas like product specifications and key uses. This gives you the chance to research effective methods for interacting with customers and disseminating technical or promotional information. As long as you take communications courses, you can also select a closely related major, such as public relations, business, or marketing.
2. Gain industry experience
Start gaining industry experience after earning your bachelor’s degree. Working in marketing or sales as an entry-level position can help you learn about job responsibilities you might have in the future and develop your skills because technical account managers frequently have high levels of responsibility. For instance, many aspiring technical account managers begin their careers as assistant account managers for a few years so they can observe and learn from experienced individuals while sharing some of their duties. Similar entry-level positions like sales associate or customer service representative are also available.
3. Pursue a masters degree
Obtaining a master’s degree can be helpful in addition to gaining work experience in the field. Having a master’s degree may increase your chances of being hired because it can demonstrate to potential employers that you have a higher level of expertise, even though some technical account managers may be able to secure positions with only a bachelor’s degree. A master’s degree program can expose you to more intricate subjects in your field of study and give you the chance to hone your advanced skills.
Master’s degrees in management or a technical field related to your industry may be most useful for technical account managers. For instance, you might pursue a master’s in health care administration if you want to work as a technical account manager for a healthcare organization.
4. Obtain certification
Another important aspect of getting ready to work as a technical account manager is certification. This is because these professionals frequently interact with customers as part of their high-level job duties, so having a certification can demonstrate to employers that you are particularly qualified for the position. Earning a general certification that validates your management or sales abilities can be beneficial because technical account managers can work in a variety of industries.
For instance, you could work toward the Manufacturers Representatives Educational Research Foundation’s (MRERF) Certified Sales Professional (CSP) credential. Alternatively, you can select a certification with a stronger technical focus, like the IT Information Library Foundations Certificate (ITIL) from Axelos. Such certifications typically require candidates to satisfy experience and education prerequisites as well as to pass one or more in-depth exams.
Please note that Indeed is not affiliated with any of the businesses mentioned in this article.
5. Apply for jobs as a technical account manager
You can begin looking for jobs as a technical account manager once you have the desired certifications. If you currently work in sales, you can inquire with your manager about ways to advance to a technical account manager position because these professionals frequently work directly for businesses and collaborate with the sales team. Using a search engine or job search website that displays openings by job title and location, you can also look for open positions online.
Average salary for a technical account manager
In addition to their salaries, these professionals frequently receive additional benefits from their employers, such as paid time off, stock purchase programs, and remote work options.
What is the role of a Technical Account Manager? Meet our ANZ Team
FAQ
What is role of technical account manager?
A Red Hat TAM is a specialized product expert who collaborates with IT organizations to strategically plan for successful deployments and assist in realizing optimal performance and growth. Technical account managers may mean different things for different businesses.
Is a technical account manager a good job?
Technical account managers can be a popular career choice for sales and customer service professionals because they frequently have excellent job security and can make highly competitive salaries. A technical account manager is a career you might want to pursue if you have experience in sales or technology and want to use your skills to benefit others.
How do I become a tech account manager?
A bachelor’s degree in advertising, communications, public relations, or a related field is required to work as a technical account manager (TAM), and many aspirants also complete a master’s program.
What technical skills is required by a account manager?
- Communication. At the top of the list is communication. …
- Company and customer expertise. …
- Strategic perspective. …
- Leadership. …
- Skilled negotiation. …
- Value-based selling.
