Interim Manager
An interim manager is an experienced external leader who steps in with operational responsibility and a clear mandate for a defined period. This is not advisory work. It is leadership with accountability for results from day one.
What is an interim manager?
An interim manager — also referred to as an interim executive, interim director or temporary manager — is an external profile who assumes a specific leadership responsibility within an organisation for a defined period. They are not a permanent employee. They are not a consultant. An interim manager holds decision-making authority, reports to the board or executive team, and is accountable for delivering concrete results within the agreed timeframe.
The term covers a broad spectrum of roles — from CEO and CFO to COO, CTO, HR director and supply chain manager. What they share is mandate, experience, and a clear assignment.
- A consultant who maps processes and delivers a report.
- A temporary stand-in without decision-making authority.
- A solution that takes months to get started.
When is an interim manager used?
Interim management is used in situations where an organisation needs experienced leadership now — and cannot or will not wait for a permanent recruitment process. Typical situations:
- Leadership vacancy — an executive leaves unexpectedly and the organisation needs leadership from day one.
- Turnaround — the business is in crisis and needs a leader with experience from comparable situations.
- Transformation — a strategic change requires a leader with specific experience from similar programmes.
- Bridge to a permanent solution — the recruitment process takes 3–6 months and the organisation needs leadership in the interim.
Interim manager vs. consultant
The difference is fundamental. A consultant analyses, maps and recommends — but has no accountability for execution. An interim manager has line responsibility, decision-making authority, and is personally accountable for results. It is the operational anchoring that distinguishes interim management from consultancy. See our comparison of interim vs. consultant.
Which roles does interim management cover?
Interim management is used across all core leadership roles in an organisation. We match experienced profiles to:
- Interim CEO — executive leadership with full decision-making authority and mandate.
- Interim CFO — financial leadership with operational accountability.
- Interim COO — operational leadership and execution across the organisation.
- Interim CTO — technology leadership with operational mandate.
- Interim CHRO — HR leadership and organisational change.
- Interim CMO — marketing leadership with operational mandate.
- Interim supply chain manager — operational accountability for the supply chain.
- Interim Business Controller — accounting, budget follow-up and management reporting.
Frequently asked questions
What does an interim manager cost?
The fee depends on the role, complexity and duration. An interim CEO or CFO is priced differently from an interim business controller. See our page on what interim management costs for concrete price ranges and what is included.
How quickly can an interim manager start?
We can present a relevant profile within 48 hours. An interim manager is typically in place within 5–10 working days from the first conversation.
Is an interim manager the same as a temp?
No. A temp fills a position temporarily without necessarily having senior leadership experience from comparable situations. An interim manager is a senior profile with a documented track record from similar assignments — with operational accountability and decision-making authority from day one.
Can interim and permanent recruitment run in parallel?
Yes — and we often recommend it. The interim manager ensures continuity and delivery while the permanent recruitment process runs. The two processes do not exclude each other.