Remote Position
Senior Strategic Customer Account Manager – SLED (Public Sector & Education) – Network Infrastructure & Revenue Stewardship
🌍 Remote · United States
💼 Full-time
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About brighthush
brighthush is a global leader in delivering mission‑critical bandwidth and digital infrastructure solutions to the world’s most influential organizations. With a sprawling 141,000‑mile network that spans North America and Europe, brighthush powers the next wave of innovation across wireless and wireline carriers, media, technology, finance, healthcare, and large enterprises. Our portfolio of services—dark fiber, private data networks, wavelengths, Ethernet, and dedicated Internet access—provides the backbone that keeps governments, schools, and businesses connected, secure, and future‑ready.
At brighthush, we believe that the right network can transform communities. That’s why we’re looking for a seasoned Customer Account Manager to join our Public Sector & Education (SLED) team. In this role, you will be the trusted partner for state and local governments, K‑12 school districts, higher education institutions, and related public‑sector organizations. You will drive revenue growth, ensure customer satisfaction, and help shape the future of public‑sector connectivity.
Why brighthush?
- Impactful Work – Your efforts will directly influence how public institutions deliver services, improve education, and protect citizens.
- Innovative Culture – We foster a collaborative environment where ideas are challenged and solutions are built together.
- Career Growth – From mentorship programs to leadership development, brighthush invests in your professional journey.
- Competitive Compensation – Base salary, incentive plans, and comprehensive benefits keep you rewarded for your contributions.
- Work‑Life Balance – Generous paid time off, flexible work arrangements, and a supportive team culture.
Key Responsibilities
As the Senior Strategic Customer Account Manager, you will own the end‑to‑end customer lifecycle for large, complex SLED accounts. Your day‑to‑day responsibilities will include:
- Building and maintaining executive, commercial, and operational relationships with public‑sector customers and their internal account teams.
- Developing multi‑year account, renewal, and network plans that align with customer priorities, funding cycles, procurement timelines, and competitive dynamics.
- Protecting revenue through churn management, renewal execution, and expansion strategies.
- Leading complex, multi‑service, multi‑location, or multi‑year renewals, RFP/RFQ responses, and executive business reviews.
- Designing and executing customer strategies that align with E‑rate funding cycles, eligible service categories, and procurement requirements.
- Identifying growth opportunities in partnership with Sales by understanding infrastructure needs, funding availability, upcoming procurements, and technology initiatives.
- Leveraging state contract vehicles, cooperative purchasing programs, education consortiums, and other public‑sector procurement mechanisms to support renewals and expansion.
- Managing churn forecasts and mitigation plans while balancing customer outcomes with pricing discipline, contract terms, margin, and long‑term account value.
- Negotiating and structuring solutions—save, replacement, portability, migration, network redesign, relocation, decommission, and contract restructuring—appropriate to the customer and procurement environment.
- Providing senior commercial judgment on credits, ETL, portability, contract exceptions, rate increases, renewal pricing, and revenue treatment.
- Coordinating cross‑functional teams—Sales, Sales Engineering, Finance, Billing, Legal, Deal Management, Service Assurance, Service Delivery, Product, and Operations—to meet complex customer requirements.
- Serving as a knowledgeable advisor on brighthush services, public‑sector procurement processes, and funding programs.
- Monitoring changes in funding, procurement, and market conditions and translating those insights into actionable account strategies.
- Leading customer business reviews and executive engagements focused on service performance, business priorities, upcoming procurements, renewal readiness, funding opportunities, and future network requirements.
- Mentoring junior CAMs and contributing to renewal playbooks, training, negotiation practices, and operating standards for Public Sector and Education accounts.
Essential Qualifications
- Minimum 6 years of experience in Customer Retention, Strategic Account Management, Client Services, or Sales, with senior roles requiring 8 + years.
- Proven track record managing large, complex SLED accounts—including government, education, and procurement‑intensive organizations.
- Deep understanding of the E‑rate program, including alignment of services with funding cycles, eligible categories, application timelines, and procurement requirements.
- Expertise in SLED procurement processes: RFP/RFQ development, formal bid processes, state contract vehicles, cooperative purchasing programs, and education consortiums.
- Strong knowledge of state and local government purchasing environments, navigating complex contracting, budgeting, and approval processes.
- Advanced experience in renewals, retention, commercial negotiations, RFP/RFQ responses, contract execution, and revenue preservation.
- Solid grasp of churn, gross and net revenue retention, renewal performance, discount performance, and recurring‑revenue management.
- Excellent executive‑level communication, presentation, negotiation, and facilitation skills.
- Strong analytical, organizational, project‑management, and problem‑solving abilities, with the capacity to manage complex timelines and competing priorities.
- Proficiency in working across Sales, Sales Engineering, Finance, Legal, Operations, Service Delivery, Product, and other cross‑functional teams.
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in Business, Sales, Public Administration, Education, or a related field.
- Willingness and ability to travel as required by customer and business needs.
Preferred Qualifications
- Significant telecommunications or digital infrastructure experience.
- Experience with large‑scale public‑sector projects and multi‑year contracts.
- Knowledge of federal procurement regulations and state‑level procurement frameworks.
- Prior exposure to brighthush’s service portfolio and network architecture.
- Advanced certifications in account management, project management, or procurement.
Skills & Competencies
- Strategic Thinking – Ability to see the big picture and translate market dynamics into actionable account plans.
- Relationship Building – Proven skill in cultivating trust with stakeholders at all levels, from operational users to senior decision makers.
- Negotiation & Influence – Mastery of complex negotiations, pricing, and contract structuring.
- Analytical Acumen – Data‑driven decision making, forecasting, and performance measurement.
- Project Management – Managing multiple concurrent initiatives with tight deadlines.
- Adaptability – Thriving in a fast‑moving, evolving public‑sector environment.
- Collaboration – Working seamlessly with cross‑functional teams to deliver integrated solutions.
Career Growth & Learning Opportunities
At brighthush, your career trajectory is supported by:
- Structured mentorship programs pairing you with senior leaders in the SLED domain.
- Access to industry conferences, webinars, and training workshops focused on public‑sector procurement and network technologies.
- Internal mobility pathways to senior account management, sales leadership, or product strategy roles.
- Leadership development initiatives, including coaching, executive education, and cross‑functional project assignments.
- Recognition programs that celebrate high performers and innovative solutions.
Work Environment & Culture
brighthush thrives on a culture of collaboration, transparency, and continuous improvement. We value:
- Open communication across all levels, ensuring that ideas are heard and acted upon.
- Work‑life balance, with flexible schedules, remote work options, and generous paid time off.
- Diversity, equity, and inclusion, fostering a workplace where everyone can bring their authentic selves.
- Community engagement, with volunteer opportunities and partnerships that give back to the public sector.
Compensation & Benefits
We offer a competitive total rewards package that includes:
- Base Salary – $75,390 to $107,700 annually, commensurate with experience and market conditions.
- Incentive Plans – Non‑sales roles may qualify for a discretionary annual incentive plan; sales roles may qualify for a sales incentive plan.
- Health & Wellness – Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.
- Retirement Savings – 401(k) plan with company match.
- Paid Time Off – Generous PTO policy, including paid parental leave.
- Additional Perks – Employee assistance programs, wellness initiatives, and technology allowances.
How to Apply
Ready to make a tangible impact on public‑sector connectivity? Submit your application through the brighthush careers portal. We look forward to exploring how your expertise can help us empower governments, schools, and communities to thrive in the digital age.