Account Executive Jobs in Chicago

Find Account Executive opportunities in Chicago's thriving tech ecosystem with competitive compensation and growth potential.

Chicago Is Made For Account Executives

Chicago is a perfect city to nurture an ambitious career in SaaS, fintech, and innovative technology sales, thanks to a combined expansion of tech enterprises and a rich sales environment.

When tech businesses arrive in Chicago—especially after spending time in expensive coastal areas—they find Chicago to be incredibly supportive. Many information technology professionals benefit from Illinois' flat-rate income tax. For businesses, Chicago office space costs about half as much as it would in places like San Francisco or New York City.

Chicago's IT sector has grown by almost 20% over the past several years, which is not surprising given that the city has a cheaper cost of living than other tech hubs.

Why Live in Chicago?

Chicago is the most populated city in Illinois and the third-most populous city in the United States. One of the most influential cities in the world, the Chicago metropolitan region is a terrific place to live and is regarded as one of the top locations to live in the state.

Chicago has a long history and a unique, welcoming culture. It is a city with some of the best cuisine in the country, storied sports franchises, and an indispensable center for American music, art, dance, and comedy.

Tech Growth and Careers in Chicago

Experienced Account Executives looking at Chicago can find employment with a wide range of tech-related companies, including fintech, IT, communications, and tech development. The wealth of opportunities will allow AEs to achieve considerable personal and professional growth.

The Chicago Tech Effect report from the Chicagoland Chamber of Congress indicates that over the last ten years, Chicago's technological environment has increased by 18%. In addition, around 8% of Chicago's workforce is employed in the city's tech industry, which also accounts for 87% of all new jobs produced in the area over the past ten years.

Chicago is fostering upward mobility and greater economic equality than many other US regions because the median wage in the tech ecosystem is one and a half times higher than the median wage for the whole economy.

What Are an Account Executive's Duties and Responsibilities?

Many firms depend on AEs as they generate a sizeable portion of the company's revenue and act as its public face to clients. Their primary responsibilities may include:

• Having a thorough understanding of the product or service being sold
• Following up on leads that SDRs have provided
• Quarterbacking deals through education, demonstration, and contract signing
• Maintaining communication by phone, e-mail, and voicemail
• Preparing for sales meetings by doing research and producing sales decks
• After closing deals, nurturing and developing clients while looking for opportunities to upsell or cross-sell
• Attracting new clients and maintaining old ones
• Creating sales reports and attending team meetings

A Typical Day as an Account Executive

What does a day-to-day rundown of an Account Executive's tasks look like? Here's a summary:

• Closing sales - After receiving leads from SDRs, AEs meet with prospects, demonstrate products or services, and fine-tune the pitch to meet their needs.
• Nurturing accounts - AEs seek out and create opportunities to increase business with current clients.
• Maintaining customer satisfaction - AEs regularly ask clients for feedback on the company's performance as their vendor.
• Countering the competition - AEs must ensure rival companies don't poach clients.

What Are the Key Metrics for Success in This Role?

Account Executives are usually evaluated on their ability to close sales, hit quotas, and retain clients. Typically, quotas are set by the month or the quarter. They include targets for the number of deals closed or achieving a predetermined revenue amount.

A part of an Account Executive's performance bonus or commission may be based on customer retention and the ability to close deals with desirable clients. Other factors include customer satisfaction, retention length, and upselling opportunities.