

Head of Remote
Lisette Sutherland
Head of Remote is your essential guide to leading flexible, distributed teams, hosted by remote-work champion Lisette Sutherland. Each episode reveals how a dedicated "Head of Remote" can drive culture, streamline operations, and empower global teams to thrive. You'll learn practical strategies for clear documentation, effective asynchronous communication, and building trust at a distance. Whether you're an HR pro or simply curious about new work models, this show offers real-world insights and proven tactics you can apply immediately.
Get a free Head of Remote Quick Start Guide at
collaborationsuperpowers.com/head-of-remote-guide
Explore the full series at
collaborationsuperpowers.com/head-of-remote-podcast
Get a free Head of Remote Quick Start Guide at
collaborationsuperpowers.com/head-of-remote-guide
Explore the full series at
collaborationsuperpowers.com/head-of-remote-podcast
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 24, 2025 • 30min
Scale People, Connection, and Culture in Remote-First Companies with Nadia Vatalidis
How do you build thriving teams and create intentional connections in a rapidly scaling remote-first environment? Nadia Vatalidis, Interim Director of Talent Acquisition at Camunda and former VP of People at Remote.com, takes us behind the scenes of scaling teams from 70 to over 1,000 employees while maintaining culture, connection, and operational excellence. Her insights shine a light on the evolving role of Heads of Remote and how intentionality can transform distributed workplaces. 🚀 Key Insights and Highlights: - The Evolving Role of the HOR: Is there room for both Heads of Remote and Operations? Nadia breaks down the essential responsibilities of the role and why remote-first must be integrated into the operations model. - First 90 Days as HOR: Why identifying the top priority and aligning stakeholders is critical for setting the foundation of success. - Practical Tool Use: Use tools for their intended purposes—Slack is for communication, not information storage. Nadia shares her perspective on the importance of fast documentation over perfection. - Creating Connection and Inclusion: How Remote.com evolved bonding time and social initiatives to build highly engaged, inclusive teams across diverse cultures. - Strategic Onboarding: Why onboarding must align with the tools employees will actually use and how this creates a self-enabled culture for success. 🎧 Tune in to hear Nadia's expertise on scaling teams, fostering connection, and implementing a remote-first strategy that works for your organization. 👉 Download the Head of Remote Quick Start Guide: https://www.collaborationsuperpowers.com/head-of-remote-guide/ 👉 Listen to the full podcast series: https://www.collaborationsuperpowers.com/head-of-remote-podcast/

Feb 10, 2025 • 31min
Lead with Product Excellence and a Remote-First Mindset with Valentina Thörner
What does it take to drive organizational success as a Head of Product Excellence in a flexible-first environment? Valentina Thörner shares how she navigates the intersection of HR, operations, and leadership to optimize processes, empower teams, and create a culture of seamless collaboration at SCALAR. Her unique approach to remote work combines strategic insight with a human touch, offering invaluable advice for leaders and organizations embracing the future of work. 🚀 Key Insights and Highlights: - The Remote-First Mindset: Why leadership buy-in is essential for success and how a flexible-first strategy requires deliberate change management. - Empowering Through Processes: How Valentina's team reduces friction and empowers product managers by optimizing workflows and developing clear operational strategies. - The Role of Authority and Influence: Why HORs must have authority to drive change effectively and how to navigate resistance with empathy and clarity. - Training Teams for Self-Sufficiency: The importance of teaching employees to find and use information independently. - Leadership Tips: How being outgoing, embracing your quirks, and recognizing patterns can enhance collaboration and build stronger connections in remote teams. 🎧 Tune in to hear Valentina's journey, learn about innovation through product excellence, and gain practical tips for leading in remote and hybrid environments. 👉 Download the Head of Remote Quick Start Guide: https://www.collaborationsuperpowers.com/head-of-remote-guide/ 👉 Listen to the full podcast series: https://www.collaborationsuperpowers.com/head-of-remote-podcast/

Jan 27, 2025 • 26min
Create Healthy, Happy, and Productive Remote Teams with Kenneth Hellem
How do you build a thriving remote workforce while maintaining a culture of engagement, well-being, and continuous learning? Kenneth Hellem, Chief People Officer at Ultimate Beauty, reveals his approach to leading a fully remote, people-first organization. Kenneth's work sits at the intersection of operations and people management, and his insights offer practical advice for anyone looking to create happier and more productive remote teams. 🚀 Key Insights and Highlights: - The Role of Head of Remote: Why the position varies by company and how it bridges operations and people management. - Driving Change with Empathy: Kenneth's experimental approach to implementing remote best practices in communication, tools, and culture—while respecting organizational capacity for change. - Tracking Sentiment and Well-Being: The importance of listening to employee feedback and using sentiment tracking to gauge engagement and satisfaction. - Continuous Development: How to ensure remote employees are developing the skills they need to succeed and thrive in their roles. - Balancing Async and Sync Work: Tips for defining communication norms that enhance efficiency and connection. If you're navigating the challenges of remote work leadership, this episode offers actionable strategies and inspiration for creating a flexible-first workplace that prioritizes people and performance. 🎧 Tune in to hear Kenneth's journey, learn how Ultimate Beauty builds a people-first remote culture, and gain actionable strategies for making remote employees happier, healthier, and more engaged. 👉 Download the Head of Remote Quick Start Guide: https://www.collaborationsuperpowers.com/head-of-remote-guide/ 👉 Listen to the full podcast series: https://www.collaborationsuperpowers.com/head-of-remote-podcast/

Jan 20, 2025 • 24min
Build a Remote-First Legacy with Chase Warrington
Chase Warrington, Head of Operations at Doist, has extensively shaped a thriving remote-first culture for over 100 professionals across 35 countries. He discusses the evolving role of remote leaders, the importance of transparency to build trust, and actionable strategies for effective asynchronous communication. Chase reveals how enhancing operational infrastructure and embracing a human-first leadership approach can transform remote work dynamics, fostering collaboration and efficiency in a global landscape.

Jan 20, 2025 • 33min
Build a Results-Driven Remote Culture with Dajana Berisavlijević Đakonović
Dajana Berisavlijević Đakonović, Head of People at Toggl, brings over eight years of People Ops expertise to the table. She unveils the secrets to scaling a remote-first team across 40+ countries, emphasizing the importance of clarity and accountability. Dajana discusses the need for organized documentation and managing tool fatigue with an open database. She highlights the significant traits for remote success, like self-discipline and effective communication. Tune in for actionable strategies to foster a results-driven remote culture!

Jan 13, 2025 • 13min
The Future of Work Starts Here: Exploring the Head of Remote Role
Discover the emerging role of the Head of Remote in today's workplaces. Experts discuss how this position reshapes collaboration and flexibility. Explore key responsibilities like establishing best practices and enhancing employee engagement. Learn about the skills essential for successful remote leadership, including self-discipline and effective communication. Insights from industry pioneers reveal how to integrate remote work into broader business goals and foster a thriving organizational culture.


