AVP, Client Account Management

SmartBug Media is one of the most respected names in the HubSpot ecosystem — and we've earned it.

We didn't get here by accident. SmartBug has built a reputation that most agencies only aspire to: HubSpot North American Partner of the Year, a fully remote team of specialists who punch well above their weight, and a client base that doesn't just hire us — they stay with us. That last part is the one we're most proud of.

Remote by design and strategic by nature, we've never believed that great work requires a corner office or a campus cafeteria. What it requires is the right people, deeply aligned on outcomes, working with clients who trust them to deliver. That's the culture we've built — one where expertise travels, relationships run deep, and the work speaks for itself.

We're obsessed with client outcomes. Not vanity metrics. Not feel-good reports. Real, measurable growth that makes our clients look like heroes inside their own organizations. When SmartBug is in your corner, your team wins — and that's exactly why our clients keep coming back.

We're growing, our client portfolio is expanding, and the relationships we've built are stronger than ever. What we need next is a leader who understands that the hardest part of this business isn't winning clients — it's becoming so embedded in their success that leaving simply isn't an option. If you've built that kind of loyalty before, if you know what it takes to transform a good client relationship into a decade-long partnership, and if you're energized by the idea of architecting that function at scale — we want to meet you.

Role Overview

The AVP of Client Account Management is the leader responsible for the stability, health, and long-term growth of the SmartBug client portfolio. This role primarily oversees the Account Management vertical, ensuring that every client relationship is managed with strategic foresight to maximize Lifetime Value (LTV) and overall "stickiness." As the primary architect of the "Relationship Layer," you will transform the Account Management function from administrative coordination into a proactive, "trusted advisor" model that anticipates client needs and mitigates churn risks before they surface. By leveraging the HubSpot partnership ecosystem and deeply embedding our strategic value into the client's operational DNA, you will ensure SmartBug remains an indispensable extension of their team.

Key Responsibilities

Role Focus 

Responsibilities 

Strategic Relationship & Retention Management

• Retention & Health Ownership: Own the Net Retention Rate (NRR) and Gross Retention Rate (GRR) metrics. Develop proactive "Early Warning Systems" to identify and pivot accounts at risk.

• HubSpot Partnership Stewardship: Own the executive-level relationship with the HubSpot partner ecosystem to maximize the use of HubSpot resources (such as Channel Account Managers and technical enablement kits). Utilize these internal HubSpot connections to improve stickiness and the overall HubSpot relationship.

• Relationship Stickiness: Design frameworks that move AMs from "order takers" to "strategic partners," ensuring we are embedded in the client’s long-term business roadmap.

• LTV Optimization: Analyze client lifecycles to maximize value, identifying opportunities for expansion and reducing churn through superior service delivery.

• Account Planning & Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs): Standardize and oversee the QBR process across the AM team. Ensure that every QBR translates technical milestones into business ROI that resonates with a client’s C-suite.

• Commercial Growth: Own the "Expansion" portion of Net Revenue Retention. Partner with Sales and Strategy to identify whitespace within the existing portfolio and coach Account Managers on identifying and closing organic growth opportunities.

• Commercial & Scope Governance: Partner with the VP of Operations to monitor and optimize the Effective Billing Rate (EBR) across the client portfolio. Ensure Account Managers are maintaining high commercial discipline by preventing "scope creep" and over-servicing, ensuring that client health never comes at the expense of departmental profit margins.

Leadership & AM Excellence

• Team Architecture: Oversee the entire Account Management vertical. Recruit, mentor, and scale a team capable of managing complex, high-touch relationships.

• The "SmartBug Way" Standardization: Define and refine the Client Journey Map from handoff to renewal. Ensure a consistent "SmartBug" experience at every touchpoint, standardizing how AMs communicate wins, handle escalations, and manage HubSpot-specific milestones.

• Performance Metrics: Define and track KPIs beyond just revenue—focusing on NPS/CSAT, client health scores, and referral rates.

Cross-Functional Strategic Collaboration

• The "Golden Triangle": Work in lockstep with the VP of Strategy (to align client goals with our execution) and the PMO/Delivery Leaders (to ensure what we sell is delivered with excellence).

• High-Level Resource Advocacy: Act as the primary advocate for the client portfolio during internal resource allocation and capacity planning sessions. Partner with the VP of Ops and PMO to ensure that team assignments align with the client’s long-term strategic needs and relationship health.

• Feedback Loops: Act as the "Voice of the Client" internally, funneling client feedback into the Product and Delivery teams to influence our service evolution.

Operational Infrastructure

• CRM Mastery: Use HubSpot as the single source of truth. Oversee the creation of dashboards that track client health, contract renewals, and AM touchpoints.

• Data-Driven Decisions: Use HubSpot data to forecast churn risks and identify "expansion-ready" accounts.

• AI Adoption: Champion internal AI fluency to streamline client communication and reporting, leveraging AI agents to increase team efficiency.

Required Skills & Experience

• Client Retention & Health Mastery: Proven track record of owning and improving Net Revenue Retention (NRR) and Gross Revenue Retention (GRR) within an agency or professional services environment.

• Strategic Account Leadership: Deep expertise in moving client relationships from tactical execution to strategic partnership, focusing on increasing Lifetime Value (LTV) and "stickiness."

• Executive Presence: Ability to serve as a high-level escalation point and a "trusted advisor" to C-suite client stakeholders (CEO, CMO, CFO).

• Operational Performance Management: Experience defining and managing KPIs that drive proactive account management, such as client health scores, referral rates, and expansion revenue.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Demonstrated ability to work effectively with PMO, Strategy, and Delivery leaders to ensure the "Golden Triangle" of relationship, roadmap, and execution is balanced.

• Conflict Resolution & Mediation: Advanced skills in navigating complex client challenges and internal resource constraints to find win-win solutions.

• Team Mentorship: A history of leading and scaling high-performing Account Management teams, with a focus on coaching AMs to lead with business value.

• HubSpot Expert Practitioner: Deep familiarity with the HubSpot ecosystem, ability to speak to and utilize HubSpot

Preferred Qualifications

• Agency Experience: Direct experience in a fast-paced agency environment, understanding the nuances of billable hours, project-based delivery, and retainer-based relationships.

• Data-Driven Storytelling: Proficiency in translating complex data (from HubSpot or BI tools) into compelling narratives for both internal leadership and client stakeholders.

• AI Fluency: Experience leveraging AI tools (e.g., Gemini, HubSpot AI, or meeting assistants) to improve team efficiency and client reporting accuracy.

• Vertical Expertise: Specialized knowledge in one or more of SmartBug’s core verticals (e.g., Technology, SaaS, Healthcare, or Professional Services).

• Educational Background: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, or a related field; MBA or advanced leadership certification is a plus.