What CRO Recruiters Look for in Top Revenue Leaders with Wayne Starritt

The CRO Spotlight Podcast

Hiring the right Chief Revenue Officer can make or break a company's growth trajectory. In this episode, Warren Zenna and Wayne Starritt unpack the systemic issues behind CRO hiring failures—and why fixing the hiring process itself is critical to long-term success. They reveal how many companies unknowingly sabotage CROs before day one.

Wayne shares lessons from working with PE-backed SaaS firms, highlighting why hiring a CRO isn't like hiring a CFO or CMO. He and Warren dig into why short-term problem solving often trumps strategic vision—and how that dynamic must change if companies want sustainable revenue leadership.

The conversation dives deep into why misaligned expectations between CEOs, boards, and CROs create chaos, and how leaders can proactively design CRO roles that align with true business needs. Wayne also shares real-world stories of when bad hiring processes led to good CROs failing unnecessarily.

If you’re a CEO preparing to hire a CRO, a current CRO aiming to thrive, or an aspiring CRO planning your next move, this episode is packed with tactical advice. Learn how to recognize warning signs, ask the right questions during interviews, and structure your next CRO appointment for real impact.