Most commonly reported Work Activities

•   Selling or Influencing Others Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
•   Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
•   Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
•   Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
•   Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
•   Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
•   Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
•   Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
•   Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
•   Operating Vehicles, Mechanised Devices, or Equipment Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanised equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.

Working Life

This high-level sales roles is found in many organisations, including the financial services sector.

A Client Relations Manager, sometimes called Customer Relationships Manager, typically deals with an organisation’s largest and most important clients, sometimes called 'key accounts'.

The Client Relations Manager plans and manages key accounts to maximise revenue and profit opportunities for the company, while at the same time aiming to achieve the highest levels of customer satisfaction.

The role of the Client Relations Manager is to help make the public more aware of the business and bring in additional revenue. Key accounts represent a significant proportion of company revenue, and the loss of a key client could prove damaging to the business.

The Client Relations Manager must be ready to develop creative solutions for existing clients, as well as pursue opportunities to generate new clientele. Identifying and building relationships with members of the client team who influence purchasing decisions is central to the role. The client relations manager will typically have a primary relationship with the purchasing manager. Since the decision to buy may also be influenced by technical managers, quality managers and finance directors, relationships in these areas are also important.

Travel is often a requirement of this job role.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Answer customers' questions about products, prices, availability, product uses, and credit terms.
• Recommend products to customers, based on customers' needs and interests.
• Estimate or quote prices, credit or contract terms, warranties, and delivery dates.
• Consult with clients after sales or contract signings to resolve problems and to provide ongoing support.
• Prepare sales contracts and order forms.
• Provide customers with product samples and catalogs.
• Monitor market conditions, product innovations, and competitors' products, prices, and sales.
• Perform administrative duties, such as preparing sales budgets and reports, keeping sales records, and filing expense account reports.
• Contact regular and prospective customers to demonstrate products, explain product features, and solicit orders.
• Identify prospective customers by using business directories, following leads from existing clients, participating in organisations and clubs, and attending trade shows and conferences.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

 Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

 Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

 Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

Previous sales or industry experience is usually needed, typically 4 to 5 years in marketing and /or sales is required. Additional language skills and global product knowledge may give candidates an edge.

Although not always a requirement, a Bachelor's degree in business or a related field is often preferred by employers. A Master's in Business Administration (MBA) may be hugely advantageous. 

Depending on where you work, as a Clients Relations Manager you may have the opportunity to advance to Senior Client Relations Manager and eventually to Head of Relationship Management.

There is often great opportunities for progression within sales, to account managers for key clients for example, or you can look for supervision and management roles.

You will also develop transferable skills which open up a wider range of career opportunities in retail, business and marketing for example.

Both experience and qualifications can help you progress and there are courses in business and marketing, for example, at all levels in the education system, from further education courses to undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. 

Depending on where you work, as a Clients Relations Manager you may have the opportunity to advance to Senior Client Relations Manager and eventually to Head of Relationship Management.

Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research. 

Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.

Example search terms include: business admin, customer service, marketing, sales, management.

Search for FET Courses

PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.

Example search terms include: business management, sales, marketing, commerce, sales.

Search for PLC Courses

Apprenticeships: 
Apprenticeships are structured work-based training programs that combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. They run from 2 – 4 years and are open to individuals of all ages, including school leavers, those seeking a career change, and existing employees who wish to upskill.

Examples: Sales, Lean Sigma Management.

Search for Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO (Undergraduate) 
Higher Education courses at Levels 6 to 8 on the NFQ, delivered in Universities and Technological Universities & Institutes. Courses run from 2 – 5 years and places are allocated on a points-based system, processed by the Central Application Office.

Example search terms include: business, commerce, marketing & sales.

Search for CAO Courses

Higher Education (Postgraduate)
Postgraduate courses are courses at Levels 9 and 10 on the NFQ and usually last 1 – 2 years full time, or longer if a PhD or part time. Entrants typically require an undergraduate award (Level 8).

Example search terms include: sales, business administration, marketing, management.

Search for Postgraduate Courses

Professional Development 

Professional development (CPD) courses are specialised training, formal education, or advanced professional learning that improves skills, professional knowledge, competency, and overall effectiveness in the professional world.

The Executive Institute keep up-to-date with the industry you work in, and to seek out training opportunities.

Check the Useful Contacts tab on this page to see if there are any professional bodies listed who may provide training related to this career.

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €45k - €90k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role.

Data Source(s):
Lincoln/ Sigmar/ CPL/ Morgan McKInley

Last Updated: July, 2024

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Sales accounts and business development managers.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Employment levels remained unchanged between 2021 and 2022 for this occupation. Employment was spread across many sectors with none large enough to report. Like business sales executives, the ICT sector appears to be the main beneficiary of employment permits issued in 2022 for this occupation. The difficult-to-fill mentions in the Recruitment Agency Survey related to sales/marketing managers and lead category managers.

Employers (Skills for Growth and Spotlight on Skills) identified sales account managers, key account managers and business development managers as being difficult to fill; key skills in demand included project management, relationship management and presentation skills. Nonetheless, the number of job adverts has fallen. Although employment levels remained stable, digitalisation and new business processes are likely to impact on the skills mix required for these roles.

• The Executive Institute

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• The Marketing Institute

  • +353 1-295 2355
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• Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association (ISME)

  • 17 Kildare St, Dublin 2,
  • (01) 662 2755
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• Chambers Ireland

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