Client Strategist

Job description

**Client Strategist** **Location: Remote | Type: Full-Time | Team: Client Success** PeopleGrove is seeking a driven and dynamic Client Strategist to champion our higher education partners using our cutting-edge product suite. If you thrive in fast-paced environments, have a passion for helping others succeed, and love turning complex challenges into meaningful outcomes, this role is for you! **About the Role** The Client Strategist owns the long-term partnership between PeopleGrove and a portfolio of institutions, mostly based in higher education. You set the strategic direction for each account — aligning the institution's goals with their PeopleGrove platform, setting targets, and checking in on progress. You lead a team of Engagement Managers who carry that strategy forward with clients day to day, and you're accountable for renewal outcomes across your portfolio. This position requires approximately 35 – 40% travel. ### What You'll Do **Strategic Planning & Account Direction** - Lead annual strategy sessions with institutional stakeholders to align campus goals with their PeopleGrove platform. - Set clear targets and give direction on platform usage based on each institution's priorities. - Map platform capabilities to the institution's broader student success, advancement, or enrollment goals. - Check in on progress against strategic targets and adjust the plan as institutional priorities change. - Identify opportunities to expand platform usage in ways that support the institution's goals. - Balance one-to-one strategic guidance with one-to-many programming. - Shape the direction of client-facing events, including webinars, conferences, campus visits and PeopleGrove hosted events. Identify opportunities to plan, organize and attend the ones that matter most to the portfolio. - Serve as the voice of the collective client inside PeopleGrove, sharing and providing feedback with CS Leadership, Product and Engineering. **Renewal Management** - Own the renewal strategy for your portfolio, including forecasting, timing, and negotiation. - Identify risk metrics and monitor account health; work with your Engagement Manager team to identify and intervene early on accounts at risk. - Identify up- and cross-sell opportunities to tee up to New Sales team. **Client Relationships & Advocacy** - Serve as the senior point of contact for institutional leadership within your portfolio. - Represent your clients' priorities internally, working with Product, Support, and Sales to close gaps and inform the roadmap. - Build a network of institutional champions who can speak to the value of the PeopleGrove partnership. **Team Leadership** - Manage and coach a team of Engagement Managers, setting priorities and reviewing progress against adoption goals. Support Engagement Mangers in building and implementing a scalable engagement strategy for portfolio of clients. - Run regular one-on-ones and support the professional growth of your team. - Help onboard and train new Engagement Managers as the team grows. **Metrics & Reporting** - Track monthly gross and net retention rates, logo retention, account health, and adoption metrics across your portfolio. - Report on portfolio performance and flag risk early enough to act on it. - Use data to decide where your team should focus its engagement efforts. ### Who You Are **Experience** - 6+ years in client success, account management, or a related role in higher education or SaaS, including experience leading or mentoring a team. - Track record of managing renewals and account growth for institutional or enterprise clients. - Experience with customer success or CRM platforms such as ChurnZero and Salesforce. **Skills** - Strong strategic and consultative skills, comfortable setting direction with senior stakeholders at a college or university. - Clear communicator, in writing and in front of a room. - Data-driven approach to tracking account health and identifying risk. - Comfortable managing multiple institutional relationships and competing priorities at once. **Education** - Bachelor's degree in a related field; advanced degree a plus. - Background in higher education, SaaS, or both preferred. ### Perks & Benefits - Competitive salary + annual bonus - Flexible PTO and hybrid/remote work options - Full medical, dental, and vision coverage - 401K with generous company match + financial planning - Company-paid life and disability insurance - Collaborative and purpose-driven culture