Agency managers are leaders who oversee the marketing and sales activities of agencies. Their goal is to help their companies to achieve their financial goals by effectively selling services and goods. A person who wants to become an agency manager should complete four years of training beyond high school, during which he or she completes a combination of sales and management courses. He or she should then pursue internship and industry certification opportunities to enhance his or her chance of becoming employed in this field.
Completing a four-year bachelor’s degree in marketing or business is necessary if you wish to become an agency manager, particularly if you do not have extensive sales experience. To get into this type of educational program, your desired school will ask to see your high school diploma or the equivalent certification and your high school transcript. You also must submit your latest standardized exam results and fill out the institution’s admissions application.
Sales-related courses are helpful for an individual who seeks to enter this career area. Classes cover how to establish a business’ brand and how to understand the behaviors of consumers. You also learn a variety of marketing strategies to promote a company’s products or services, as well as how to create a positive image of your organization through public relations activities. Training in these areas is necessary to become an agency manager because this type of professional leads a team of people who sell his or her business’ offerings and therefore has to be able to guide them effectively.
Management classes also are valuable for claiming a job role in this industry. Your courses will teach you how to lead employees, develop business goals, and hire as well as train staff, which you will have to do when you become an agency manager. Other important concepts you should learn include communicating effectively with employees and overseeing sales initiatives. As an agency manager, you are responsible for making sure that employee retention remains strong, developing achievable sales goals, and sharing marketing plans with employees.
Gaining hands-on experience and industry designations will make you even more attractive to employers. You should look for companies such as insurance agencies that are willing to accept an intern who would like to become an agency manager. During an internship, you need to demonstrate to your supervisors that you can help to develop solid business plans, assist the company with attracting new clients, and advise salespeople successfully. Some employers also prefer job candidates who have earned industry certifications by passing association exams and are willing to maintain their credentials by completing continuing education courses.
