Strategic AI‑Powered Customer Reference Program Manager – Driving Reference Lifecycle, AI‑Enabled Matching, and Sales Enablement for B2B SaaS Growth at brighthush

About brighthush

brighthush is a purpose‑driven technology partner that empowers nonprofits, foundations, and socially responsible corporations to amplify their impact. With a network of more than 20,000 customers—including over 16,000 nonprofit organizations and half of the Fortune 100—our mission is to raise the global giving rate from 2 % to 3 % of GDP by 2033, unlocking an additional $573 billion in measurable social good each year. We achieve this by blending cutting‑edge AI, data‑driven insights, and a passionate community of changemakers. If you are excited by the intersection of technology, data, and social impact, brighthush is the place to bring your expertise to life.

Why This Role Matters

In the B2B SaaS ecosystem, customer references are the most compelling form of social proof. They accelerate sales cycles, reduce churn, and deepen trust with high‑value prospects. As the AI‑Powered Customer Reference Program Manager at brighthush, you will own the entire reference lifecycle—from intake to delivery—leveraging AI to surface the most relevant evidence at the right moment. Your work will directly influence new logo acquisition, shorten sales cycles, and reinforce the credibility that fuels our mission.

Key Responsibilities

• Live Deal Support – Oversee the full reference request journey, coordinating with sales, customer success, and legal to ensure timely, compliant, and impactful delivery.
• Process Design & Automation – Build repeatable operating models, define request types, SLAs, escalation paths, and ownership. Identify bottlenecks, document workflows, and implement AI‑driven automation to reduce manual effort.
• Targeted Matching – Use customer mission, industry codes, product usage, competitor displacement, AI stack, buyer persona, and geography to match references to active opportunities. Collaborate with sales and customer success to close coverage gaps.
• Reference Management System Oversight – Maintain the reference roster, matching rules, request workflow, and ROI reporting. Resolve automation gaps and validate reporting populations for new logo deals.
• Proof Assembly – Mine customer voice sources, maintain source traceability, and deliver approved evidence to sellers. Ensure freshness, legal compliance, and ease of use.
• AI‑First Workflow Development – Design, test, and run AI‑assisted triage, matching shortlists, first‑draft assets, and proof assembly. Partner with the AI team to turn repeatable processes into reliable, scalable workflows.
• Customer Trust & Consent – Personally manage customer requests, coordinate with relationship owners, track usage, and enforce consent limits. Keep legal approvals under human control.
• Commercial Impact Measurement – Track fill rate, time‑to‑fulfill, seller adoption, reference fatigue, pipeline influence, and ARR lift. Work with revenue operations to quantify win‑rate and sales‑cycle improvements.
• Operating Model & Stack Evaluation – Assess the reference management system and proof assembly platform against usage, seller impact, cost, and ROI. Recommend retention, reshaping, replacement, or in‑house development for 2027.
• Cross‑Functional Adoption – Partner with sales, customer advocacy, customer success, product marketing, revenue operations, legal, and AI teams to maintain clear handoffs and a shared reference readiness view.

Essential Qualifications

• 4+ years of B2B SaaS experience in customer references, advocacy operations, sales enablement, or commercial programs.
• Direct ownership of reference requests supporting active sales opportunities.
• Hands‑on experience with a reference management system and a proof assembly platform.
• Deep familiarity with CRM opportunity fields, report filters, and data validation.
• Proven process builder who has turned inconsistent workflows into clear intake rules, matching criteria, service levels, documentation, and reporting.
• AI‑first mindset with fluency in generative AI, knowledge bases, and workflow automation.
• Strong customer judgment, relationship skills, and the ability to balance sales urgency with customer readiness.
• Clear, concise writing skills and the ability to transform customer evidence into seller briefs and one‑pagers.
• Self‑starter who can prioritize independently, navigate incomplete data, and rally cross‑functional partners.

Preferred Qualifications & Bonus Points

• Direct administration of a reference management system and hands‑on use of a proof assembly platform.
• Experience in nonprofit or social‑good markets, including mission‑based segmentation and taxonomies.
• Experience with call‑intelligence tools, content repositories, and review‑site content as proof sources.
• Experience building reference ROI reporting or evaluating software vendors against an in‑house operating model.
• Experience connecting AI workflows to CRM, call‑intelligence, or content systems through no‑code tools or integration requirements.

Skills & Competencies for Success

• Strategic Thinking – Ability to align reference programs with broader commercial objectives.
• Data‑Driven Decision Making – Proficiency in analyzing metrics to drive continuous improvement.
• Technical Acumen – Comfortable working with CRM, AI platforms, and no‑code integration tools.
• Communication – Excellent written and verbal skills to articulate complex ideas to diverse stakeholders.
• Project Management – Strong organizational skills to manage multiple concurrent reference requests.
• Customer‑Centricity – Deep empathy for customer experience and a commitment to safeguarding trust.

Career Growth & Learning Opportunities

At brighthush, we believe in nurturing talent through continuous learning and career advancement. As the AI‑Powered Customer Reference Program Manager, you will:

• Lead cross‑functional initiatives that shape the future of customer advocacy.
• Gain exposure to AI research, data science, and product strategy teams.
• Develop expertise in AI‑driven workflow automation and advanced analytics.
• Take on leadership responsibilities, such as mentoring junior team members or spearheading new program pilots.
• Participate in industry conferences, webinars, and professional networks to stay ahead of market trends.

Work Environment & Culture at brighthush

brighthush fosters an inclusive, equitable, and purpose‑driven culture where every team member feels valued and empowered to make an impact. Our core values include:

• Impact First – Every decision is measured against the mission to increase social good.
• Collaboration – Cross‑functional teamwork is the engine of our success.
• Innovation – We embrace experimentation, data, and AI to solve complex problems.
• Integrity – Transparency, trust, and ethical behavior guide all interactions.
• Growth Mindset – Continuous learning and personal development are integral to our culture.

Our flexible work model supports remote, hybrid, and on‑site options, ensuring a healthy work‑life balance. We celebrate diversity, equity, and inclusion through ongoing training, employee resource groups, and community outreach initiatives.

Compensation & Benefits

We offer a competitive salary range of $75,000 – $95,000 for full‑time U.S. employees, complemented by a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) plan with company match.
• Generous paid time off and flexible vacation policy.
• Professional development budget and tuition reimbursement.
• Wellness programs, mental health resources, and employee assistance programs.
• Equity or stock‑option opportunities (where applicable).
• Performance bonuses and incentive plans aligned with company goals.

Equal Opportunity & Accommodations

brighthush is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application process, please submit a request.

How to Apply

Ready to make a difference and drive the future of customer advocacy at brighthush? Click the link below to submit your application and join a team that is redefining the impact of social good.

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Closing Statement

As the AI‑Powered Customer Reference Program Manager, you will sit at the intersection of technology, data, and human relationships. Your work will empower sales teams, protect customer trust, and accelerate the growth of organizations that are changing the world. If you are passionate about leveraging AI to create measurable impact and thrive in a fast‑paced, purpose‑driven environment, we want to hear from you. Join brighthush and help us turn ambition into action.