At a Glance
- Tasks: Build strong relationships with universities and ensure customer success with our platform.
- Company: Join Gecko, a forward-thinking software company dedicated to enhancing higher education.
- Benefits: Enjoy 33 days of holiday, flexible working, and a remote-first culture.
- Other info: Opportunity for travel within the UK and US for customer visits and events.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in higher education while working with a supportive team.
- Qualifications: Experience in account management or client-facing roles, preferably in SaaS or higher education.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
The short version: You like people. You like solving problems. You like being trusted to just get on with it. As a Customer Success Manager at Gecko, you’ll own a portfolio of Higher Education customers and make sure they’re genuinely successful with our platform; not just renewing, but genuinely getting value from it. You’ll build strong relationships, run renewals and expansions, support customers with day‑to‑day questions as part of broader account ownership, and spot opportunities before they turn into problems. You’ll be the person customers trust, and the person internally who actually knows what’s going on in their accounts. You’ll be commercially aware and comfortable owning renewals and expansion conversations, without losing sight of what’s best for the customer.
Working pattern: This role is based in the UK and supports our US customer base, so it needs to align broadly with US working hours, typically around 12:00 to 19:00 UK time, with some flexibility.
What you’ll actually be doing:
- Owning customer relationships: Being the main point of contact for a group of universities, from onboarding onwards. Getting to know your customers properly: their goals, pressures, politics, and pain points. Running regular check‑ins, reviews, and QBRs that are useful (not box‑ticking). Visiting customers on campus at least once a year, and more often where it adds value.
- Keeping customers with us (because they want to stay): Owning renewals end to end; planning ahead, showing value, and keeping things on track. Watching usage and engagement so you can spot risks early and do something about them. Making sure customers feel supported, heard, and confident in what we’re building.
- Growing accounts in a sensible way: Taking ownership of retention and growth across your accounts, including identifying and progressing expansion opportunities. Spotting where Gecko could add value across teams, departments, or use cases, and being confident opening those conversations. Leading expansion conversations from discovery through to close. Running demos and account reviews that connect outcomes to product value and commercial impact. Keeping Salesforce up to date so account history, risks, and opportunities are easy for others to follow.
- Supporting customers day to day: Acting as a first point of contact for customer issues, owning them through to resolution with support from the wider team, not as a ticket‑only function. Balancing reactive support with proactive account management.
You’ll know you’re doing well when… Customers renew on time and don’t need chasing. They’re actually using the platform – and telling us (and others) why it’s valuable. You’ve built relationships where people are open and honest with you. Risks don’t come as a surprise. Your accounts are well‑run, well‑documented, and calm most of the time.
This role is probably for you if… You’re comfortable with commercial responsibility and understand how retention and expansion drive a SaaS business. You’ve worked in an account manager or client‑facing role in SaaS, Higher Ed, or something similar. You’re comfortable balancing customer advocacy with commercial ownership. You’re comfortable working broadly in line with US hours, typically around 12:00 to 19:00 UK time. You’re confident running meetings, demos, and reviews with different types of people. You’re curious by default; you ask questions, dig into problems, and keep learning. You like owning things and don’t need someone checking your homework. You’re organised enough to juggle multiple accounts without dropping the ball. You’re happy to travel within the UK and also to the US for customer visits and sector events when needed.
And why Gecko? We build software that helps universities better engage and support students, and we care a lot about how we work while doing it. At Gecko, you’ll get:
- Work‑Life Balance: 33 days of holiday and flexible working.
- JFDI attitude: We believe in getting things done, keeping things moving, and cutting out unnecessary faff, all within a shorter 34‑hour workweek.
- Remote first: Home office set‑up, MacBook, and headphones of your choice.
- Work from elsewhere: Our workation policy gives you flexibility to work away from home at points through the year.
- Health and wellbeing: Private healthcare, EAP, death in service, and pension.
- Trust and autonomy: We hire smart people and trust them to get on with it.
- Good people: A collaborative, supportive team that cares about doing good work well.
- Room to shape things: Customer Success is evolving at Gecko, and this role will have a real hand in that.
- Connected virtual culture: We’re fully remote, but collaborative by default. Our virtual office is a big part of how we stay connected, solve problems quickly, and keep work feeling human.
Ready to Join the Gecko Team? If you like ownership, care about customers, and want to do good work with good people, we’d love to hear from you!
Please note that we can only accept applications from UK‑based applicants who already have a valid right to work in the UK.
US Customer Success Manager (SaaS, Higher Ed) employer: Gecko | AI-Powered Student Engagement Platform
Contact Detail:
Gecko | AI-Powered Student Engagement Platform Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land US Customer Success Manager (SaaS, Higher Ed)
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research Gecko's values, culture, and the specific challenges they face in Higher Ed. This will help you tailor your conversations and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend industry events. Building relationships can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral, which is always a bonus!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to customer success and SaaS. Think about how you've solved problems in the past and be ready to share those stories. We love hearing about real experiences!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in showing your enthusiasm for the role and keeping you top of mind. Plus, it’s just good manners!
We think you need these skills to ace US Customer Success Manager (SaaS, Higher Ed)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Authentic: When you're writing your application, let your true self shine through. We want to see your personality and how you connect with our values. Don’t just list your skills; share stories that show how you've made a difference in previous roles.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application for the Customer Success Manager role. Highlight your experience in SaaS and Higher Ed, and explain how your background aligns with what we’re looking for. Show us why you’re the perfect fit for Gecko!
Show Your Problem-Solving Skills: We love candidates who can think on their feet! In your application, include examples of how you've tackled challenges in the past. This will demonstrate your ability to spot opportunities and resolve issues, which is key for this role.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Gecko | AI-Powered Student Engagement Platform
✨Know Your Customers
Before the interview, research Gecko's customer base, especially in Higher Education. Understand their goals, challenges, and how Gecko's platform can help them succeed. This will show your genuine interest in the role and your ability to build strong relationships.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully resolved customer issues in the past. Highlight your proactive approach to spotting potential problems before they escalate. This aligns perfectly with the role's focus on customer advocacy and retention.
✨Showcase Your Commercial Awareness
Be ready to discuss how you understand the balance between customer satisfaction and commercial success. Share experiences where you've driven renewals or expansions while ensuring customers felt valued and supported.
✨Practice Your Communication Skills
Since you'll be running meetings and demos, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Tailor your communication style to different audiences, as this is crucial for building trust and rapport with diverse stakeholders.