Client Strategist

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