Director of Client Services and Salary Profile
The need to stand out from the crowd has led organizations in every industry to become more client-focused. A director of client services, whether employed by a for-profit company or a non-profit service organization, acts as customer liaison and ensures that clients receive what they need. Pursuing a career as a director of client services can begin by enrolling in an MBA program with a specialization in Marketing.
Director of Client Services Job Outlook
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of advertising and sales managers, including directors of client services, will grow steadily in coming years. Job growth will occur as a growing number of products and services requires brand to stand out in order to succeed. Competition is strong for top positions; candidates with strong marketing experience and leadership qualities could have an advantage.
Job Duties
Whether working for a high-tech company providing software support, a human services agency or a manufacturing company delivering product, a client services manager’s job is to support organizational growth by providing strategic client direction, building new relationships and maintaining existing client relationships, as well as ensuring that client projects are implemented according to schedule.
Depending on the employer, a director of client services may be involved in the planning, developing and managing of client projects – typically several at once. They are usually in charge of determining a project’s schedule, scope and budget, and directing appropriate team members in fulfilling the specifications to meet client and company objectives. These professionals could also be responsible for defining departmental operating budgets, and resource, risk and scope management.
Managing client expectations is an additional and important aspect of the director of client services position. Communicating to each stakeholder at every step of a project is vital to maintaining successful relationships and product or service delivery.
A director of client services will also typically be involved in determining short- and long-term resource requirements, building and managing teams and designating responsibilities among each team member. Proper resource allocation and utilization is important to contributing to a healthy bottom line.
The director of client services usually works in a comfortable office; a 40-hour week is standard, but during project delivery deadlines, overtime can be required. Travel to client facilities or industry conferences may be required.
Director of Client Services Salary Potential
According to national salary data on PayScale.com, as of December 2010, directors of client services had a median total income of about $52,596 per year, with those in the 25th to 75th percentile earning between $38,165 and $67,028 in total pay.
With additional experience, directors of client services can move into roles of increasing responsibility, resulting in much higher potential annual pay. A sampling of possible career path salaries on PayScale.com in December 2010 revealed the following 25th to 75th percentile salary ranges:
| Manager of Client Services | $40,642 to $86,892 |
| Client Relationship Manager | $45,352 to $86,892 |
| Director of Operations | $60,341 to $117,968 |
Top salaries generally go to professionals with the advanced education and experience employers need to remain competitive in a changing global business environment.
Director of Client Services Education and Training Requirements
While a bachelor’s degree and marketing experience are sufficient for some director of client services positions, many top employers show preference to candidates with a master’s degree.
Individuals with marketing, sales or business backgrounds who aspire to a director of client services position can improve their prospects by enrolling in an MBA program with a specialization in Marketing. Coursework typically includes essentials of business development, strategic marketing, consumer behavior strategies and international business.
Employers can be confident that professionals who have earned an MBA with a specialization in Marketing are able to:
- Make important decisions with authority.
- Identify marketing opportunities and develop strategies to convert them.
- Apply modern theories of negotiation, management and leadership to real-world challenges.
- Consistently position and build brand equity.
- Leverage advanced knowledge and skills to succeed as a director of client services.
Could a Career as a Director of Client Services be a Good Fit for You?
If you enjoy managing projects, can handle multiple projects concurrently, and are detail-oriented, analytical and a problem solver, then planning for a career as a director of client services could be a great move for you. Obtain the knowledge and skills top employers want by earning an MBA with a specialization in Marketing. Start planning now and you’ll soon be ready to land a challenging director of client services position.
