The need to stand out from the crowd drives organizations in every industry to focus more on clients. A director of client services, whether employed by a for-profit company or a nonprofit service organization, acts as customer liaison and ensures that clients receive what they need and expect. Pursuing a career as a director of client services can begin by enrolling in an online Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Marketing program from a reputable, accredited school like Florida Institute of Technology.
Client Services Job Description
Client services directors can work for companies across industries and sectors, be it a high-tech company providing software support, a human services agency or a manufacturing company delivering products. Regardless of organization type and industry, it’s the role of a client services director to support organizational growth by providing strategic client direction, developing and managing new and existing client relationships, and ensuring that appropriate departments and teams execute their components of client projects according to plan.
While the overarching purpose of client services management is consistent across business environments, the job duties of a client services director will vary according to specific role, company size and industry. Depending on the employer, a director of client services may be responsible for:
- Planning, developing and managing client projects
- Determining a project’s schedule, scope and budget
- Directing team members in meeting client and company objectives
- Defining departmental operating budgets as well as resource, risk and scope management
- Managing client expectations
- Communicating with stakeholders
- Determining short- and long-term resource requirements
- Building and managing teams
- Designating responsibilities among team members
Although a director of client services typically works in an office setting, travel may be required in order to meet with clients, visit suppliers and vendors, and attend industry conferences. The director of client services may report directly to the chief marketing officer, chief revenue officer or chief executive officer.
Director of Client Services Education and Training Requirements
A bachelor’s degree and marketing experience can be sufficient to for some client services positions. However, becoming a director of client services may require a master’s degree, especially when applying for competitive, high-level positions with large companies.
Individuals with marketing, sales or business backgrounds who aspire to a director of client services position may seek to improve their prospects by enrolling in an MBA program with a concentration in marketing. Coursework in a marketing MBA typically covers foundational business subjects as well as specialized studies like strategic marketing, consumer behavior strategies. market research and international business. Employers can be confident that professionals with an MBA in marketing have the knowledge, skills and experience to:
- Make important decisions with authority
- Identify marketing opportunities and develop conversion strategies
- Apply modern theories of negotiation, management and leadership to real-world challenges
- Consistently position and build brand equity
- Leverage advancing technologies for marketing impact
- Succeed in numerous advanced roles across marketing and related departments
Could a Career as a Director of Client Services be a Good Fit for You?
If you enjoy focusing on details and managing multiple projects concurrently, and if you have excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, then a career as a director of client services could be an appealing option. Advanced interpersonal and communication skills are also a necessity for this client-centric role. Individuals who attain an MBA in marketing will have a competitive advantage for advancement in this field.
Learn more about Florida Tech’s online MBA in Marketing program.
