How to Interview for a Customer Success / Experience Leader? (Executive level)

Luke Cullimore
Luke Cullimore Member Posts: 6 Contributor
First Anniversary
edited February 2021 in CS Org Conversations

Hi all,


We are actively recruiting for a VP of Customer Success / Experience. The responsibilities for this individual will ultimately be to line manage a Head of Customer Support as well as managing 5 CSMs & managing the End to End customer lifecycle.


What we really want to test is:
1. Their ability to develop and grow a team

2. Identify where there are skill gaps and capacity gaps and hire for those roles

3. Application of Customer Success theory in real life scenarios


Our interview process includes a Role Play where we craft out some real life scenarios based on the context of our business and test the candidates skill sets.


For 1) & 2) I am considering sending over the development plans & skills assessments for the team and asking them to provide feedback on areas of growth to the individuals directly.


I was wondering what you feel might be the best way to test the above particularly number 3) in a role play setting.


Any feedback / guidance would be great!

Thanks



Tagged:

Comments

  • Jordan Silverman
    Jordan Silverman Member, CS Leader Posts: 109 Expert
    100 Comments Third Anniversary 5 Likes Photogenic
    edited February 2021
    Sounds like you have a great plan in place. I would add two suggestions.

    1) Ask candidates to put together a 30-60-90 plan
    - This will not only show how they think about their role but also test their communication skills

    2) Ask existing CS team members for scenarios to test
    - Then make these scenarios the role plays

    These are just two small ideas that I think could help!
    Jordan Silverman
    jordan.silverman@usestarfish.com
    (914) 844-5775
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordansilverman/