Application Guide

How to Apply for Lead Customer Success Manager

at Workiva

🏢 About Workiva

Workiva is a leader in integrated ESG reporting, helping organizations streamline climate impact and compliance. Its unique cloud platform simplifies complex reporting, making it a mission-driven company for those passionate about sustainability and transparency. Working here means contributing to a critical global shift toward accountable business practices.

About This Role

As Lead Customer Success Manager, you'll drive adoption of Workiva's platform at executive levels, ensuring customers realize ROI and achieve their ESG reporting goals. You'll consult on best practices, build multi-level relationships, and mitigate risks, directly impacting customer retention and revenue. This role is pivotal in proving the value of integrated reporting in a rapidly evolving regulatory landscape.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve a morning call with a VP of Sustainability to review their reporting progress and address pain points, followed by an internal sync with product and support teams to mitigate a customer risk. Afternoon could be spent analyzing account health metrics for your portfolio and preparing a quarterly business review for a key account, with time reserved for researching new ESG regulations to advise clients proactively.

🚀 Application Tools

Generate Cover Letter

AI-powered, tailored for Workiva

Interview Prep

Practice questions for this role

🎯 Who Workiva Is Looking For

  • Proven experience (6+ years) in Customer Success or Account Management, specifically with SaaS platforms and executive-level engagement.
  • Deep understanding of ESG, sustainability, or regulatory reporting frameworks (e.g., GRI, SASB, TCFD) and the challenges companies face in compliance.
  • Strong consulting skills to advise C-level clients on workflows and best practices, with the ability to translate technical features into business value.
  • Data-driven mindset for forecasting revenue changes, identifying risks, and proving ROI through metrics and business reviews.

📝 Tips for Applying to Workiva

1

Quantify your impact: In your resume, include specific metrics like % increase in customer adoption, renewal rates, or revenue expansion from your previous roles.

2

Highlight ESG knowledge: Even if not your primary role, mention any exposure to sustainability reporting, regulatory compliance, or environmental data management.

3

Tailor your cover letter to Workiva's mission: Explicitly connect your experience to helping customers achieve transparent climate impact reporting.

4

Show executive engagement: Provide examples of how you've influenced VP or C-level stakeholders, including managing business reviews and building trusted relationships.

5

Prepare a case study: Be ready to discuss a specific customer success story where you turned around a struggling account or drove significant adoption.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Emphasize your experience in SaaS customer success with a focus on driving adoption and proving ROI at executive levels.', "Showcase your knowledge of ESG or regulatory reporting trends and how you can help Workiva's customers navigate them.", 'Highlight your ability to build multi-level relationships and act as a trusted advisor, not just an account manager.', 'Explain your approach to risk mitigation and proactive forecasting to ensure customer retention and revenue growth.']

Generate Cover Letter →

🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Understand Workiva's platform: Explore their ESG reporting solutions and how they integrate with financial reporting.
  • → Read about recent ESG regulatory developments in the US and EU (e.g., SEC climate disclosure rules) to speak knowledgeably about market drivers.
  • → Look up Workiva's customer success stories or case studies on their website to see how they measure success.
  • → Learn about Workiva's culture and values, especially their commitment to sustainability and transparency.

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe a time you turned a dissatisfied customer into a loyal advocate. What steps did you take?
2 How would you approach a VP of Sustainability who is skeptical about the ROI of integrated reporting software?
3 Walk me through how you would conduct a quarterly business review for a key account, including metrics you'd present.
4 What experience do you have with ESG reporting frameworks (e.g., GRI, SASB) and how do you stay updated on regulatory changes?
5 How do you prioritize multiple accounts with competing needs, especially when forecasting revenue changes?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Don't focus solely on technical skills; this role requires strategic consulting and relationship-building at the executive level.
  • Avoid generic answers about customer success without tying them to ESG or regulatory reporting context.
  • Don't neglect to show proactive thinking—this role involves identifying risks and forecasting, so demonstrate foresight.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Workiva!

← Back to Job Listing Apply Now →