📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Senior Lifecycle Marketing Manager
🔹 Company: Pilot
🔹 Location: San Francisco, California, United States (Hybrid: 3 days/week in the office)
🔹 Job Type: Full-time
🔹 Category: Marketing
🔹 Date Posted: July 11, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (3 days/week in the office)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Architecting the customer lifecycle strategy, mapping the full journey, and defining programs
- Collaborating with various teams to implement omni-channel campaigns and evaluate lifecycle marketing technologies
- Championing AI and automation to drive customer engagement and revenue growth
- Measuring and optimizing lifecycle marketing programs to maximize customer lifetime value
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, ability to work cross-functionally, and a deep understanding of customer lifecycle marketing principles.
📋 Key Responsibilities
Customer Lifecycle Strategy:
- Map the full customer journey, identifying key inflection points for engagement, education, and expansion
- Define and execute customer lifecycle programs that support onboarding, product adoption, expansion, retention, advocacy, and win-backs
- Partner with product, customer success, and other teams to identify buying signals and capitalize on opportunities for cross-sell, upsell, or added services
Campaign Execution:
- Build, launch, and manage omni-channel lifecycle campaigns in partnership with creative, content, product marketing, and customer success teams
- Maintain a seasonal campaign calendar aligned with customer success, sales, and marketing initiatives
- Develop triggered campaigns, nurture programs, and playbooks that drive customer engagement and value realization
- Support customer advocacy efforts, including referral programs, reviews, case studies, and testimonials
Technology & Systems:
- Evaluate and recommend lifecycle marketing technologies, including customer data platforms (CDPs) or orchestration tools, to support scalable and personalized customer journeys
- Partner with business systems and analytics teams to implement, measure, and optimize these tools
AI & Automation:
- Identify and use AI-powered tools to automatically detect friction points and hidden customer segments
- Apply machine-learning models to surface propensity-to-churn, expansion, or advocacy, feeding real-time signals into campaign triggers
- Employ generative AI and dynamic content blocks to tailor messaging and educational assets per customer profile
- Explore an AI-driven orchestration layer to optimize send-times, channel selection, and content variants based on user behavior and emerging pain points
Measurement & Optimization:
- Define, track, and report on key lifecycle metrics, including product adoption rates, retention/churn, cross-sell and upsell performance, and customer satisfaction/advocacy
- Partner with data and analytics teams to design experiments, interpret results, and continuously improve programs
ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and a data-driven mindset to measure and optimize lifecycle marketing programs.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education:
- Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field
- Master's degree preferred
Experience:
- 7+ years of experience in lifecycle marketing, customer marketing, or customer engagement roles, ideally within a B2B SaaS or high-growth environment
- Proven track record of designing and executing successful lifecycle programs across multiple customer segments
Required Skills:
- Expertise in lifecycle marketing strategy, customer education, enablement, and advocacy best practices
- Deep understanding of marketing automation systems, personalization tools, CDPs, triggered campaigns, and dynamic content
- Able to identify, evaluate, and recommend systems or technologies to support customer marketing initiatives
- Skilled at analyzing customer data and drawing actionable insights that drive revenue and loyalty
- Excellent communicator and project leader, capable of managing complex programs from strategy through execution
- Data-driven mindset with a test-and-learn approach to improving program performance
- Comfortable navigating a fast-paced, startup environment
Preferred Skills:
- Familiarity with venture-backed startup environments or founder-focused customer bases
- Background in building customer communities or user group programs
- Exposure to account-based marketing or account-based expansion motions
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in B2B SaaS or high-growth environments and a strong understanding of customer lifecycle marketing principles will be prioritized.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $133,000 - $215,000 per year (San Francisco, CA)
Benefits:
- Flexible vacation/time-off policy
- Wellness benefits (Modern Health, Headscape, One Medical, Aaptiv, and Rightway)
- Parental leave: 100% pay for 12 weeks for birthing or non-birthing parents
- 401(k) plan
Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours/week)
ASSUMPTION: Final offer amounts depend on multiple factors such as candidate experience and expertise, geographic location, total compensation, and market data.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Accounting
Company Size: 201-500 employees
Founded: 2016
Company Description:
- Pilot provides reliable accounting, CFO, and tax services for startups and small businesses, helping them grow sustainably and operate more effectively
- Pilot has over 2,000 customers and has raised over $170 million in financing from Sequoia, Index Ventures, Stripe, Bezos Expeditions, and Whale Rock
- Our investors also include world-class entrepreneurs such as Patrick and John Collison, Drew Houston, and Diane Greene
- Pilot's most recent funding round doubled its valuation to $1.2 billion, making it the newest fintech unicorn
Company Specialties:
- Accounting services
- Tax services
- Financial management
- CFO services
Company Website: pilot.com
ASSUMPTION: Pilot's strong financial backing and industry recognition indicate a stable and growing work environment for employees.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level to senior
Reporting Structure: To be determined based on team structure
Work Arrangement: Hybrid (3 days/week in the office)
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to lead and grow the lifecycle marketing team as the company expands
- Opportunities to collaborate with cross-functional teams and contribute to company-wide initiatives
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential as Pilot continues to expand its customer base and service offerings.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Hybrid (3 days/week in the office)
Office Location: San Francisco, California, United States
Geographic Context:
- San Francisco is known for its vibrant tech industry and diverse cultural scene
- The cost of living in San Francisco is high, with median rent prices around $3,500 for a one-bedroom apartment
Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours/week) with flexible hours and remote work options
ASSUMPTION: Living in San Francisco may require careful budgeting due to the high cost of living, but the city offers numerous cultural and recreational opportunities.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Phone or video screen with the hiring manager
- On-site interview with the hiring manager and other team members
- Final-round interview with senior leadership
Key Assessment Areas:
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
- Customer lifecycle marketing expertise
- Cross-functional collaboration and communication skills
- Data-driven mindset and analytical skills
Application Tips:
- Highlight your experience with customer lifecycle marketing strategy, campaign execution, and data analysis
- Prepare examples of successful lifecycle marketing programs you've led or contributed to
- Demonstrate your ability to work cross-functionally and collaborate with diverse teams
- Showcase your understanding of the B2B SaaS industry and customer lifecycle marketing best practices
ATS Keywords: Lifecycle Marketing, Customer Engagement, Customer Lifecycle, Campaign Execution, Data Analysis, Cross-functional Collaboration, B2B SaaS, Customer Lifecycle Marketing, Marketing Automation, Customer Data Platforms
ASSUMPTION: Tailor your application and interview responses to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this specific role.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Marketing automation platforms (e.g., Marketo, HubSpot)
- Customer data platforms (e.g., Segment, Tealium)
- AI and machine-learning tools (e.g., IBM Watson, Google AI Platform)
- Campaign management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
- Data analysis tools (e.g., Tableau, Looker)
ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with these tools is preferred, but not required. The ideal candidate will be eager to learn and adapt to new technologies.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Customer-centric
- Data-driven
- Collaborative
- Innovative
- Transparent
Work Style:
- Fast-paced and dynamic
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Data-driven and analytical
- Adaptable and open to feedback
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you approach identifying and capitalizing on opportunities for customer expansion and upsell?
- Can you provide an example of a successful customer lifecycle marketing campaign you've executed, and what made it successful?
- How do you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices in customer lifecycle marketing?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates who align with Pilot's company values and work style will thrive in this role and contribute to the company's success.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing a high volume of customer data and ensuring data privacy
- Keeping up with the latest marketing technologies and trends
- Balancing the need for personalization and scalability in customer lifecycle marketing programs
- Collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams in a fast-paced startup environment
ASSUMPTION: These challenges require strong problem-solving skills, adaptability, and a customer-centric mindset.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is similar to a Customer Marketing Manager or a Growth Marketing Manager, but with a focus on customer lifecycle marketing strategy and execution
- Unlike other marketing roles, this role requires a deep understanding of customer data analysis and a strong background in customer lifecycle marketing
- This role may involve more cross-functional collaboration and data-driven decision-making than other marketing roles
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in similar roles or related fields should highlight their relevant skills and experiences in their applications.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing a customer segmentation strategy based on behavioral data to drive targeted marketing campaigns
- Implementing a customer referral program that resulted in a 20% increase in new customer acquisitions
- Creating a customer education series that improved customer retention rates by 15%
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should provide specific examples of their past projects and achievements that demonstrate their skills and qualifications for this role.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does Pilot approach customer lifecycle marketing, and how does this role fit into that strategy?
- What are the biggest challenges facing the lifecycle marketing team, and how can this role help address them?
- How does Pilot support the professional development and growth of its marketing team members?
- What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of customer lifecycle marketing programs at Pilot?
- How does Pilot collaborate with other departments, such as product, customer success, and sales, to drive customer engagement and revenue growth?
ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful questions demonstrates your interest in the role and shows that you've done your research.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through the Pilot careers page
- Highlight your experience with customer lifecycle marketing strategy, campaign execution, and data analysis in your resume and cover letter
- Prepare examples of successful lifecycle marketing programs you've led or contributed to for your interview
- Demonstrate your ability to work cross-functionally and collaborate with diverse teams
- Showcase your understanding of the B2B SaaS industry and customer lifecycle marketing best practices
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
