THE OPPORTUNITY: We Are Conducting an Executive Search for the CTO/VP Technology for a Global 3

The opportunity: We are conducting an executive search for the CTO/VP Technology for a global 3.0 Web company with offices in Europe and the United States. (Title depends upon experience.) The company has developed a unique, patent-pending web-centered technology that enables the user to explore and synthesize existing knowledge into potentially new discoveries and insights. Company culture is extremely entrepreneurial, collaborative, and creative. Need a technology leader to relocate and build the software development and technology operations from Europe to the U.S. Company has already raised significant equity from some very well known investors. This is an excellent opportunity to join a company in a pivotal leadership role before it closes its Series B financing.

/ Please do NOT answer with “SEE RESUME” because it will make it very difficult to get you an interview. Client will read your answers and resume before making a decision to interview. Please make sure to put your answers in the blank boxes on the right hand side of the questionnaire. Please do not make any changes to the format or questions. Thanks!

Your Name?

Your Phone Numbers?

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Today’s Date?
BASIC QUESTIONS:
This position can be located anywhere in the US. Must be comfortable working remotely.Where do you currently live? Are you comfortable working remotely?
Prefer someone to start in the position as soon as possible. When would you be available to start?
Are you currently employed?
Why did you leave or why are you considering leaving your most recent position?
Why did you leave your previous position?
Board is willing and able to put together the right package for the right candidate. The focus is on hiring the best candidate. This is a key position. Compensation includes base, bonus, stock options, and full benefits package. What are you looking for in terms of compensation? (Please break it down between base, bonus, and equity. I want to know your minimum and your ideal. What is important to you? If you are flexible, then just say that you are flexible. But, I need to know some type of a range or at least know what ballpark we are in. Thanks! Also, Client would really like to know your comp history—W2s over the last couple of years.)
LEADERSHIP REQUIREMENTS:
This is a management position, but the company requires someone who will be hands-on and can just roll up their sleeves to get the job done. Do you meet these requirements? Can you do the work as well as manage others doing it? Please provide examples of situations where you have done both and describe the teams you have managed.
You will be responsible for IT, Development, Data Center Operations, Database Management, Network Administration, and Internet Operations including system security, network administration, web and application, and data base servers, etc. Candidates must have previous experience managing these functions and building a team. Need someone that can build a U.S. based team from scratch. (Right now, the team is primarily in Europe.) Prefer candidate that can bring key staff on board with whom they have worked with previously. You will need to hire software developers (server and client side), web and application designers, database administrators, systems administrator, and data center management. MUST have someone who can build a top gradeteam quickly. Someone who can ensure that the team has the best possible talent (A players) at each level. Structure comp & incentive plans. Coach and keep top talent and remove non-performers efficiently. Do you meet these requirements? If no, then please do NOT complete this form. Client will not interview anyone without this experience.If yes, then please answer the following questions:
1)What functions do you have experience managing?
2)Have you ever built a U.S. based team from scratch?
3)Please give some specific examplesof some teams that you built or rebuilt.
4)Do you already know of some people that you could bring on board quickly? (If yes, then make sure to mention it. This will really help you to get an interview with the COO.) / PLEASE TYPE YOUR ANSWER TO EACH QUESTION NEXT TO THE CORRESPONDING NUMBER. THANK YOU.
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COO prefers candidates with small and large company experience. Need someone who enjoys the entrepreneurial atmosphere of a small company, but has been through the experience of scaling up an enterprise to significant organization size and revenues.Experience working in a dynamic (i.e. “startup”) environment is preferred. Prefer candidates that have gone through the high growth and scalability issues of a startup or high growth stage company. Do you meet these requirements? If yes, then please explain. Make sure to give at least one specific example. Be as specific as possible (e.g. approximate revenues when you started v. when you left; number of employees when you started v. when you left, etc.)
POSITION REQUIREMENTS:
Must have held a position as CTO, VP Technology (or equivalent) within the last six months at a company in one of the following categories:
1)social networking 2)e-commerce 3)database driven SaaS company 4) or tech companies in southern FL. Do you meet this requirement? If no, then please do not complete this form. If yes, then please answer the following questions:
1)Are you currently or have you served within the last six months as a CTO, VP Technology (or equivalent)at a company that falls into one of the categories listed above? If no, then please do not complete this form. If yes, then please continue to answer the questions listed below.
2)Which of the categories did that employer fall into?
3)Please state your employer’s name and URL.
4)Please state your company’s elevator pitch and target market.
5)What were your employment dates for the position? (month/year started v. month/year left position or current date if still employed)
6)What was your title?
7)What functions reported to you?
8)Approximately how many people reported to you?
9)Approximately how many years experience do you have in total as a CTO, VP Tech or equivalent? / PLEASE TYPE YOUR ANSWER TO EACH QUESTION NEXT TO THE CORRESPONDING NUMBER. THANK YOU.
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How many years of technology experience do you have in total at each of the following categories: 1) social networking 2) e-commerce 3) database driven SaaS company 4) or tech companies in southern FL. / 1)
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Candidates MUST have recent and significant experience building software development and data operations in the United States. Need someone that can optimize the GUI to attract visitors, rationalize the back end processing, and prepare for rapid scaling. Do you meet these requirements? If yes, then please explain. Make sure to outline a specific example or two. If no, then please do NOT complete this form. Client will not interview anyone without this experience.
Need someone with experience optimizing technologies for database building and database tagging.Do you meet this requirement? If yes, then please explain. Make sure to outline a specific example or two.
Prefer candidates with experience developing a winning web based portal that successfully attracts visitors and converts them to repeat users/visitors. Need someone who is able to build compelling search engine optimization capabilities into the website. Do you meet these requirements? If yes, then please explain. Make sure to outline a specific example or two.
PERSONAL SUMMARY:
This position reports to the COO, who is based in U.S. (CEO is based in Europe.) He will only hire someone who is a team player and does not need to be micromanaged. Basically, he prefers to agree to a set of objectives making sure that the objectives are clearly outlined and understood by the individual, then let the individual execute the plan. But, expects the individual to keep him informed of progress. Individual must be able to go to him when in need of help. He will only hire someone that is very entrepreneurial and passionate with a burning hunger for success; someone with a vision. He wants people with new ideas and strong opinions, but able to move in a fast paced, ever-changing start up environment. He needs someone that can hit the ground running.Is this management style appealing to you? Why? Please describe your management style and work ethics.
Please list for me in order of importance the factors that are going to determine which position you accept next.
What work accomplishment are you most proud of?
Tell me about someone who has been in the news within the last decade that you admire. Why do you admire this person?