Had a phone screen with HR whom was fantastic. She reviewed the job, company background, interview process and salary expectations. The interview layout was HR screen, hiring manager video interview, take-home project to be presented, then panel interview. She was also great with following-up and setting up the hiring manager call.
During the hiring manager call, we covered career background, I was asked to give an introduction pitch role-play (similar to an elevator pitch) which seemed out of place for this type of role, and I got direct feedback that "I didn't cover the value prop completely". There is also strong emphasis on using BI tools and Excel which while i understand that being a small component of a typical CSM role, it sounded like they are looking for people to be more data science focused rather than commercial. I only got 5 minutes to ask questions, then the manager abruptly left the meeting right as time ended. There weren't any questions pertaining to managing relationships, renewals, cross-functional projects , contracts, advocacy or general payments knowledge.
Although I had worked in eCom payment acquiring for 7 years with a focus on Relationship Management, they were clearly looking for a different skill set and focus than my background presented. Knowing I got poor feedback on the introduction role-play, and didn't have the BI tool experience they were looking for, I sent a note to HR removing my candidacy shortly after. HR didn't respond or acknowledge receipt of that message, but sent a separate rejection letter a week later.
For folks planning on interviewing for this role, make sure to come prepared to discuss analytics, history manipulating data in excel and other tools, and have the elevator pitch value prop available early on because that's where I fell short. While it may be good to have a commercial background or experience in eCommerce payments, those topics aren't the focal point, at least in the preliminary stages.
Overall a fine interview experience, great company, just not the best fit. I wish them the best.