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:

– Advanced Professional

Base Description:

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

Level Summary:

– Demonstrates proficient and comprehensive knowledge of defined skill areas/applications. Applies knowledge of principles, practices, and procedures of a particular field to decision-making and problem–solving. Works under minimum supervision on varied and sometimes difficult work assignments, conferring with supervisor or subject matter experts on unusual matters. May lead others or a team in completion of complex assignments. Interprets and communicates information clearly, accurately, and persuasively. Researches and tries new approaches when solving difficult or novel problems.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

– Indirect supervisor or mentor for other full–time employees
– May serve as direct supervisor for part–time, student, and/or temporary workers, volunteers, or a full–time employee

Fiscal Responsibilities:

– May validate and pay invoices
– May monitor/track budgets and funding

Problem Solving:

– Encounters generally routine problems with progressively more complex and/or varied problems
– Typically follows recommended course of action and procedures to resolve problems
– May apply specialized knowledge and skills to resolve complex and/or varied problems, with supervisor oversight
– Researches and tries new approaches when solving problems

Independence of Action:

– Works with minimal supervision on more difficult work assignments, conferring with supervisor on unusual matters
– Follows precedents and procedures
– May set priorities and organize work within general guidelines established by supervisor

Communication and Collaboration:

– Communicates internally and externally within working unit and the University
– May communicate with external audiences for business purposes
– Promotes open communication in a manner that builds relationships among team members
– Applies appropriate strategies for managing conflict; negotiate reasonable compromises; propose and evaluate possible solutions
– Interprets and communicates information, ideas and instructions clearly, accurately and persuasively both verbally and in written materials intended for distribution

• Comp Grade – 11
• Minimum – $68,200.00
• MidPoint – $85,200.00
• Maximum – $102,300.00

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