Commission Hawthorn Retirement Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Title: Landscaping Account Manager – Client Relations  

Department: Sales 

Reports to: VP of Sales

Job Type: Salaried, Full-Time, Exempt 

Compensation: $40,000 - $90,000 (Base Salary + Draw on Commission) 

Apex Landscaping, founded in 1991, has grown from a single summer route into one of Chicagoland’s leading full-service landscaping companies, serving areas from Kenosha, WI to Bolingbrook, IL and west to Elgin. Headquartered in Hawthorn Woods, Apex operates over 200 team members and 40 crews daily in the summer, while also providing full-service snow and ice management in winter. With decades of steady expansion, Apex offers residential, commercial, and multi-family clients comprehensive landscaping, construction projects, and year-round maintenance services, backed by the resources and stability of a company built for continual growth.

Job Summary: The Landscaping Account Manager is responsible for supporting Apex Landscaping’s sales goals through professional sales techniques, exceptional customer service, and strong relationship management. This role maintains and grows existing accounts, develops new business opportunities, and ensures client satisfaction from initial contact through project completion. The Client Representative serves as a key liaison between clients, internal teams, and field operations to deliver high-quality service and drive continued market growth.

Duties/Responsibilities:

Sales & Business Development

• Develop sales opportunities within an assigned territory using industry knowledge and competitive sales techniques.
• Meet and exceed sales goals through phone, email, and in-person client outreach.
• Generate new business through cold and warm calling efforts.
• Expand existing accounts and grow the customer base.
• Convert one-time customers into long-term clients through exceptional service and follow-up.
• Conduct site inspections to identify enhancement and upsell opportunities.
• Measure properties, prepare estimates and contracts, present proposals, and manage the sales process from prospecting through closing.

Client Relations & Customer Service

• Build  and maintain strong relationships with residential, commercial, and multi-family clients.
• Review client ideas, discuss design alternatives, and adjust plans to meet customer expectations.
• Maintain communication throughout the project lifecycle.
• Introduce field teams to clients when appropriate.
• Provide written documentation for agreements, change orders, decisions, and follow-up actions.
• Attend client meetings, walkthroughs, and property reviews, including after-hours meetings when required.

Project Coordination & Operations

• Collaborate with construction supervisors, designers, and foremen to ensure project accuracy and client satisfaction.
• Attend production meetings and coordinate project scheduling.
• Review project details, special requirements, and site conditions with construction teams.
• Create and administer watering maps and irrigation schedules for commercial and  multi-family properties.
• Assist with snow and ice management by monitoring conditions and advising clients on service needs.

Field Management & Quality Assurance

• Conduct site inspections before, during, and after project completion.
• Troubleshoot field issues and develop solutions with supervisors and foremen.
• Monitor project progress and ensure work meets company and client expectations.
• Perform final quality-control inspections and ensure any necessary adjustments are completed before project closeout.

Work Environment: This role involves a combination of office work, client meetings, and on-site property visits. Client Representatives work closely with field teams, attend job walkthroughs, and may be exposed to outdoor weather conditions, noise, and active job sites. Some meetings and walkthroughs may occur outside standard business hours.

Schedule: Client Representatives are expected to maintain regular office hours as established by management. Standard sales staff hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. During the winter season, schedules may be adjusted by one hour—either a later start time or an earlier end time, but not both.

What We Offer:

• Competitive Compensation 

• Uncapped Commission Structure  

• Insurance: Medical, Dental & Vision 

• 401K Retirement Plan with Company Match 

• Bonus Programs 

• Paid Time Off 

• Holiday Pay 

• Tuition Reimbursement Opportunities 

• Professional Development Opportunities 

• Team-Oriented Work Environment

• Access to Company Vehicle 

Core Competencies: 

• Strong customer service and relationship-building abilities

• Professionalism, diplomacy, and effective negotiation skills

• Skilled in presentations and closing techniques

• Strong organizational and time-management abilities

• Sales-driven mindset with a focus on growth

• Practical problem-solving skills and the ability to handle adversity

• Energetic self-starter with strong initiative

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree with 3–5 years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Minimum of 3-5 Years of previous Sales/Account Management experience required. 

• Commercial/Multi-family/HOA Sales in the landscaping industry experience required.

• Horticultural knowledge and Plant ID knowledge required. 

• Strong Turf Management experience preferred. 

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and general computer applications.

• Ability to communicate effectively in English; bilingual Spanish is a plus.

• Must pass a pre-employment drug test.

• Valid driver’s license that meets insurance underwriting requirements.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to conduct site inspections across various property types. 

• Must be able to bend, kneel, stretch, and walk job sites as needed.