Penn State Job Catalog

Additional levels that exist for this job profile can be seen below.

The defined natural career progression within or between job profiles.

Client Services

The Client Services Specialist is a strategic relationship manager responsible for cultivating, sustaining, and expanding high-value relationships with clients and key stakeholders. Serving as the primary point of contact and an ambassador of the University, this role ensures an exceptional client experience while driving new business development, organizational relevance, and long-term revenue growth; matches client and stakeholder priorities with the University's services and offerings, clearly communicating value and impact; works collaboratively with internal and external partners to advocate for and secure funding opportunities.

• Serve as the designated point of contact for clients, responding promptly and professionally to inquiries; ensure exceptional client service
• Build, strengthen, and manage long-term client relationships by understanding strategic needs, aligning services, and providing tailored solutions
• Proactively identify opportunities to expand business with existing clients and develop new relationships through networking, centers of influence, and other referral sources
• Serve as a trusted adviser to clients by communicating the University's value proposition, showcasing the impact of services/offerings, and maximizing organizational relevance
• Define, develop, and execute market penetration strategies to expand the University's footprint across key industry sectors
• Prepare and deliver compelling presentations, proposals, and other materials to support client engagement and business development efforts; support contract negotiations
• Identify, troubleshoot, and resolve client issues efficiently, coordinating with internal teams to ensure timely and effective solutions
• Maintain accurate and comprehensive records of client interactions, feedback, service requests, and engagement outcomes
• Stay knowledgeable about current and emerging University services and offerings to provide informed guidance and recommendations
• Support onboarding of new clients by coordinating training, sharing resources, and ensuring a seamless, high-quality experience
• Gather, analyze, and synthesize client feedback to identify trends, inform service improvements, and provide insights to leadership
• Collaborate with key stakeholders to advocate for client needs and secure funding aligned with organizational priorities
• Lead or participate in cross-functional teams to improve processes, refine client experience, and drive operational excellence
• May supervise staff, including hiring, coaching, development, and performance management

Level:

– Intermediate Professional

Base Description:

– Completes activities, tasks, and/or projects of a functional nature.

Level Summary:

– Demonstrates ability to perform intermediate tasks in defined skill areas. Demonstrates intermediate knowledge of internal procedures. Works under general supervision, performing assignments that may be varied and sometimes difficult. Supports team decisions and follows through with team responsibilities. Interprets and communicates information clearly and accurately. Demonstrates intermediate problem–solving skills.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

– May serve as direct supervisor for part–time, student, and/or temporary workers or volunteers

Fiscal Responsibilities:

– May validate and pay invoices

Problem Solving:

– Encounters generally routine problems; occasionally faces more complex and/or varied problems
– Typically follows recommended course of action and procedures to resolve problems
– Applies knowledge of larger unit goals, priorities, and related procedures in determining course of action

Independence of Action:

– Work is generally monitored by supervisor
– Detailed instructions and procedures are generally provided
– Uses available guidelines to make appropriate adaptations to routine situations and refers other situations to supervisor

Communication and Collaboration:

– Communicates internally within working unit and/or the University
– May communicate with external audiences
– Collaborates closely with team members
– Interprets and communicates information, ideas and instructions clearly and accurately both verbally and in written materials intended for distribution

• Comp Grade – 10
• Minimum – $61,800.00
• MidPoint – $75,700.00
• Maximum – $89,600.00

• Business development
• Coordination
• Customer relationship management
• Customer Service
• Feedback
• Outreach
• Presentation Skills
• Prioritization
• Process improvement
• Project Management
• Relationship building
• Revenue management