Technical account managers (TAMs) are the vital connection between a software company and its customers. They manage the technical support and relationship with customers liaison between them and the product development team. TAMs must be able to understand complex technical issues and communicate with non-technical customers in a way they can understand.

A career as a TAM can be both rewarding and challenging. It requires excellent customer service skills, as well as in-depth knowledge of the company company’s products and how they work. If you have strong technical skills and are interested in working with customers, then a career as a TAM may be right for you. This article will cover the basics of what you’ll need to know to get started.

1. What Is a Technical Account Manager?

A technical account manager (TAM) is the single point of contact that manages a company’s relationship with Microsoft. Technically, they are responsible for delivering per-sales support to your team in planning and designing solutions before development begins, identifying any possible issues or roadblocks, working with you to resolve them so you can build the project on time, and then working with you to ensure that the project goes off without a hitch. They are generally considered your partner in delivering projects on time, within budget, and at the highest quality possible.

2. Does a TAM Do?

A technical account manager’s core responsibilities include

• Offering pre-sales support by planning and designing solutions before development begins, identifying any possible issues or roadblocks, working with you to resolve them so you can build the project on time, and then working with you to ensure that the project goes off without a hitch.
• Handling incoming calls to resolve customer problems or questions quickly and efficiently.
• Working with customers, sales teams, product managers, engineers, and other departments at their company to ensure that everyone is on the same page. This can take many forms, such as regular meetings or information exchanges via email or phone, depending on the TAM’s preferred communication style.
• Helping to organize clients, stakeholders, and internal teams to prepare for product or project milestones.
• Providing input on roadmaps and new products before launch.

3. Educational Equirements to Be a TAM.

Some of the educational requirements to be a TAM include:

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science or related field.
• Master’s degree in Computer Science preferred.
• Desired – 3 years experience in full life cycle software development and web application development using industry-standard tools and technologies, including at least two of the following: Java EE, Spring, Hibernate, JSP, Javascript, JDBC.
• Experience and training with object-oriented development (Java).
• Hands-on experience building web applications and services. Experience with Restful APIs.
• 3 years of Java programming experience with Spring Framework.
• In-depth knowledge of the features and capabilities of the Spring framework.
• Experience with automated testing tools such as Junit, Mockito, Powermock, Cucumber JVM, Selenium Web Driver.

4. How Does a Technical Account Manager Get Hired?

By following these steps, you should be well on your way to becoming an IT TAM. The TAM role is vital, as it bridges the gap between customers and product vendors.

1) Know your specialty areas. As a technical account manager, you are expected to have an in-depth understanding of one or more software products or technologies so that you can successfully provide customer support for these items. This starts with choosing the right field to specialize in, making you more marketable. Look for a growing field that is relevant to your interests and has a large customer base.

2) Attain vendor certification In addition to developing the required expertise in the product or technology you’ll be supporting, customers may also require that you have specific vendor certifications. Be sure to research this to know whether or not you need ongoing certification and what certifications, if any, will be necessary.

3) Develop your networking skills A technical account manager must be able to interact with customers and other support team members daily effectively. This means knowing how to solve problems quickly without alienating customers, and it also means working well with team members under tight deadlines.

4) Show your customer-eccentricity A critical part of the role is making sure that you understand your customer’s business so that you can provide solutions that will benefit them. Instead of just solving problems, focus on figuring out how to help customers grow their business. Showing an understanding of the customer’s industries will make you more marketable, too.

5) Keep learning A technical account manager is expected to maintain their product knowledge at all times to provide high-quality service to customers. Research your product or technology, ask questions when you don’t know something, and continue to learn about your industry.

6) Maintain certifications when necessary Keep in mind that some customer organizations require their technical account managers to maintain specific certifications, which means continuing education will be required to retain your job. Some examples of common ones are the Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP), Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP), and Compliant A+.

5. How Much Does a Technical Account Manager Make?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that technical account managers in the United States earn an average salary of $96,370. The pay rate for this position can vary greatly depending on your role at the company, level of experience, and geographic location. Technical account managers in North Dakota are reported to have the highest average pay at $122,590, while those in Mississippi are reported to have the lowest average salary at $65,970.

6. What Skills Are Required to be a Technical Account Manager?

• Excellent communication skills. As a TAM, you’ll often find yourself working with people all across the company, so excellent communication is essential for success in this role. Be prepared to talk frequently with your manager, team members, other departments, and customers.
• Ability to multi-task effectively. You will need to juggle many responsibilities at once, so the ability to stay organized and handle several projects simultaneously is essential.
• Strong leadership skills. As a technical account manager, you’ll often be responsible for solving problems that arise, so the ability to think critically and lead others is critical.
• Knowledge of Java, Spring Framework, RESTful APIs, Javascript, JDBC, automated testing tools such as Junit, Mockito, Powermock, Cucumber JVM, Selenium Web Driver.
• Ability to become a Certified Spring Developer or similar certification from SpringSource.

7. How Do You Move Up in the Technical Account Manager Career Path?

The best way to advance your career as a technical account manager is to focus on expanding and demonstrating your skillset. Because of this, you must dedicate yourself to learning new technologies. That said, many TAMs also choose to go back to school to gain additional experience or knowledge. This can be an effective way to advance your career, but keep in mind that it will often require you to work more than one job for an extended period.

8. What Is the Job Outlook for Technical Account Managers?

According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for technical account managers is expected to grow 22% between 2014 and 2024. This means that this job will grow four times as fast as the average occupation across the country. This is a relatively new role; many opportunities are available for those who want to break into this industry.

9. Why Is Becoming a Technical Account Manager Appealing?

In addition to being well-compensated, this position also comes with several benefits that can include:

• Generous bonus package.
• Sponsored training and continuing education opportunities. This often includes web seminars, vendor meetings, customer conferences, company meetings, etc.
• Health insurance, life insurance, and disability benefits.
• Flexible work hours and the ability to telecommute.
• Product discounts through the tech account manager’s employer.
• Reimbursement for conferences, books, classes, etc. (if you’re you’re into that sort of thing)

10. What Are the Current Employment Trends for Technical Account Managers?

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, there will be an estimated 32 percent growth in openings for technical account managers over the next decade. This job growth is faster than average. Overall, it is projected that this occupation will experience an annual rate of 5 percent or higher through 2024.

11. Top Recruiting Companies for a Technical Account Manager

Some of the top recruiting companies for a technical account manager include:

• Amazon.com
• Twitter
• AIG Global Technology Solutions
• VMware
• Adobe Systems Incorporated
• Epic Games, Inc. 
• Accenture
• Kaiser Permanent
• Palo Alto Networks, Inc.
• JPMorgan Chase & Co.
• Salesforce.com, inc.

12. Best Colleges to Study Technical Account Management

The best colleges for a technical account manager to study include:

• Stanford University
• Berkeley University
• Harvard University
• MIT Sloan School of Management
• Carnegie Mellon University
• The College of William & Mary
• Boston College
• Babson College

Conclusion

Technical account management jobs are a great way to gain experience in the business. These positions often require strong communication skills and commitment, making them ideal for those who want to learn more about what it takes to be successful at work. If you’re you’re looking for an opportunity that will allow you to develop your own set of leadership skills while also giving back some time on weekends or evenings; a technical account manager might be the perfect job!