Fractionals Send your requirement
Five people gathered around a laptop at a shared table

Hire an interim executive

Interim executive

An interim executive is a senior leader who steps in full time for a fixed period. They cover a gap, steady a business or see a change through, then hand over. To hire an interim executive, tell us the situation and we send you people who fit.

Send your requirement
  • No deposit to get started
  • Every requirement read by us
  • A best-fit shortlist, not a pile of CVs
  • One agreement, one invoice

What an interim executive does

An interim executive, or interim manager, takes on a leadership role full time for a fixed period. Companies call one in when a leader leaves suddenly or when a business needs turning around. They also use one when a merger, restructure or system change needs an owner who will not stay on afterwards.

Interim executives are used to arriving in a hard situation and acting quickly. They hold real authority for the length of the assignment. They are judged on what changes while they are there.

Tell us the role and the hours. We send you a shortlist of people who fit.

  • No deposit to get started
  • Every requirement read by us
  • A best-fit shortlist, not a pile of CVs
  • One agreement, one invoice
Send your requirement

Interim or fractional

Interim executive

  • Full time, for a fixed period
  • Covers a gap or delivers one specific change
  • Hands over to a permanent hire at the end

Fractional executive

  • Part of the week, often for longer
  • Ongoing leadership the company cannot yet justify full time
  • Usually works with other companies at the same time

When companies call in an interim

  • A woman explaining a hand drawn diagram on a whiteboard to two colleagues
    A sudden departure A CEO, CFO or CTO leaves and the business cannot wait for a permanent search to finish.
  • Two people talking through a system diagram on a whiteboard
    A turnaround Performance has slipped and the business needs someone with the authority to make hard changes.
  • Two people at a kitchen table, one pointing at a laptop while the other listens
    A change programme A merger, restructure, new system or new market that needs a dedicated leader until it is done.
  • A woman writing code on two monitors beside an arched window
    Before a permanent hire Steadying the role and working out what the permanent hire really needs to be.

Tell us the role and the hours. We send you a shortlist of people who fit.

  • No deposit to get started
  • Every requirement read by us
  • A best-fit shortlist, not a pile of CVs
  • One agreement, one invoice
Send your requirement

What to look for

Look for someone who has done interim work before, not only permanent roles. Interim work takes a particular skill: reading a business quickly, earning trust without a long run-in and leaving it better than they found it. Ask what they achieved on past assignments and how they handed over.

Be clear about the mandate. An interim needs to know what they are there to deliver and what authority they have to do it.

How to hire an interim executive through us

  1. 01

    Send your requirement

    Describe the situation, what you need done and when you need someone to start. There is no deposit.

  2. 02

    Get a shortlist

    We read every requirement ourselves. If something is unclear, we ask. We send a shortlist of interim executives who fit the situation, with each person's CV and a short note on why they fit.

  3. 03

    Talk and choose

    You talk to whoever you like and choose. You do not have to hire anyone. You agree the mandate, its length and the authority that comes with it.

  4. 04

    One agreement and one invoice

    You sign one agreement with us and get one invoice, on terms agreed in writing before anything starts. You pay our fee only when someone starts.

Send your interim executive requirement

Describe the situation and what you need done.

  • No deposit to get started
  • Every requirement read by us
  • A best-fit shortlist, not a pile of CVs
  • One agreement, one invoice

Where interim executives are based

FAQ

Interim executive questions

What is an interim executive, and how do you hire an interim?

A senior leader who takes on a role full time for a fixed period. To hire one, write down what they must deliver and what authority they will have. Then talk to people with interim experience in situations like yours. Sending your requirement here gets you a shortlist.

How long does an interim assignment usually last?

As long as the job takes. Covering a gap until a permanent hire starts is shorter than seeing a turnaround through. Agree an expected length at the start and review it as you go.

What is the difference between an interim and a fractional executive?

An interim works full time for a fixed period. A fractional executive works part of the week, often for longer, and usually alongside other companies.

When should a company call in an interim manager?

When a leadership gap cannot wait for a permanent search. When the business needs a turnaround. Or when a big change needs one dedicated owner until it is done.

What does an interim manager do that a consultant does not?

An interim manager holds the role and the authority that comes with it, and is responsible for results. A consultant usually advises and leaves the doing to the company.

Explore more