July 9, 2025

The Ultimate Guide to Hiring an Interim CIO

The Ultimate Guide to Hiring an Interim CIO

Technology can make or break your business. Whether you’re navigating a high-stakes digital transformation, cleaning up an IT disaster, or preparing your company for sale, you need smart, decisive leadership. But what happens when your organization can’t wait six months to recruit the perfect permanent CIO?

That’s where an interim CIO comes in.

Unlike a full-time hire, interim CIOs bring speed, clarity, and deep experience — often stepping in after a CIO departs, during a crisis, or ahead of a major initiative.

This guide breaks down what every CEO, board member, or private equity investor should know about hiring an interim CIO—how to recognize when you need one, what they actually do, how they differ from CTOs and fractional executives, and what traits to look for.

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July 8, 2025

When Should You Bring in an Interim CIO?

When Should You Bring in an Interim CIO?

In today’s digital-first economy, the demands on IT leadership are immediate, complex, and high-stakes. Whether it’s leading a large-scale ERP rollout, navigating a merger, or shoring up cybersecurity, your organization can’t afford delays in critical IT decision-making.

That’s where a top-tier interim CIO can make all the difference. But how do you know it’s the right time to bring one in?

Below are the most common scenarios when engaging a part-time or temporary CIO is not just helpful, but necessary.

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June 27, 2025

What is the Role of an Interim CIO? 5 Common Use Cases

What is the Role of an Interim CIO? 5 Common Use Cases

In today’s fast-moving, tech-driven business environment, the role of the CIO is more critical — and more complex — than ever. Whether your organization is navigating digital transformation, merger integration, or large-scale ERP system upgrades, an Interim Chief Information Officer (CIO) can deliver immediate, strategic value without adding long-term overhead.

(Learn more about our Interim CIO Services and Fractional CIO Services here.)

Unlike consultants or rising IT managers, a seasoned interim CIO brings deep operational and leadership experience. These executives are not only capable of taking on the same responsibilities as a permanent CIO, but they also offer a focused lens on change, transformation, and rapid results.

Here are 5 common use cases where an interim CIO can be a powerful asset to tackle high-impact technology initiatives, IT leadership gap coverage, or specialized project execution:

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May 7, 2025

Why Public Companies Rely on Interim CFOs in Times of Transition

Why Public Companies Rely on Interim CFOs in Times of Transition
When a public company CFO leaves unexpectedly, the pressure is on. Reporting deadlines, investor calls, and team continuity can’t wait. And it’s a growing problem. CFO turnover among S&P companies hit the highest level in six years in 2024. That’s why more boards are hiring interim CFOs — experienced financial leaders who can step in immediately, stabilize operations, and build confidence.
To explore how this works in real time, InterimExecs CEO Robert Jordan sat down with two seasoned finance veterans, Mitch Cohen and Lawrence Firestone. Both have extensive experience as public company CFOs.

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May 5, 2025

Acting Manager vs. Interim Manager: What Does Acting Mean in a Job Title?

Acting Manager vs. Interim Manager: What Does Acting Mean in a Job Title?

So, you’re scrolling through LinkedIn or looking at an org chart and you see “Acting VP of Whatever” or “Acting CEO.” What’s the real deal there?

In a public company, “acting” or “interim” almost always says the same thing: “We’re in between permanent hires.” But look a little deeper and you may find some significant differences between one acting executive and another.

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April 16, 2025

11 Things to Expect from an Interim Leader During Their First 30 Days on the Job

11 Things to Expect from an Interim Leader During Their First 30 Days on the Job

So you’ve decided to bring in an interim executive. Perhaps you need to temporarily fill a leadership role while you conduct a thorough search for a new permanent hire. Or maybe you need an experienced leader to spearhead a new initiative or helm the launch of a new product. Or maybe your company is in crisis and you need a turnaround expert to right the ship.

Whatever the reason you have chosen to bring on an interim executive, you are about to work with someone who works differently. That’s because interims are wired for action.

Here are 11 things to expect from an interim executive during their first 30 days on the job.

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August 30, 2024

What is an Interim Manager? An Executive Who Delivers Change (Fast)

What is an Interim Manager? An Executive Who Delivers Change (Fast)

What is an interim manager? The easy answer is that an interim manager is an experienced executive who takes short-term assignments. But a highly-skilled, rock-star interim executive is so much more than that.

“It’s badly understood…and a lot of companies don’t understand when to fully use us,” said one experienced interim executive. “We are there to bring change, to shake things up, and to deliver projects that internally couldn’t be done before.”

And then they do something a traditional full-time executive likely wouldn’t even consider: They leave.

That’s because a true interim executive is wired for change. For challenge. For making a difference.

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August 22, 2024

How the Right ERP Strategy Can Improve Your Business

How the Right ERP Strategy Can Improve Your Business

It’s a common scenario: A company invests big bucks in a massive ERP implementation only to watch the effort stall. Or worse, fail altogether.

Maybe the problem is the lack of planning or ERP software curation. Maybe it’s not thinking ahead for future needs. Or maybe it’s not having an experienced ERP implementation executive who can make that integration sing.

For all that goes into ERP implementation — ERP, or Enterprise Resource Planning, is, after all, managing, streamlining, and tying together all essential business processes — strategizing every step should be a non-negotiable.

“ERP systems usually get replaced every seven to 10 years. I’ve been with some companies where they hadn’t replaced them for 25 years,” says Bruce Howard, an InterimExecs RED Team member and Interim CIO who has spent much of his career implementing ERP solutions.

“There’s a planning phase to bring all of the pieces together and make sure you’ve got a clear approach and clear people assigned. And then you need a methodology for the way you select systems and implement,” he says.

To better understand the components of a successful ERP implementation process and a clear look at how an ERP strategy can support business operations and better decision-making, we asked Howard and interim executives Tony DeLima and Alonso Vargas to walk us through the essential elements.

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June 20, 2024

Executive Search Services: Why Interim Executives Are Right for Fast-Growing Companies

Executive Search Services: Why Interim Executives Are Right for Fast-Growing Companies

Interim executives — experienced C-suite leaders who take on short-term roles — traditionally are found in turnaround situations, coming in to save companies on the brink. Or they are brought in to keep a company moving forward while a new permanent hire is identified and onboarded.

But there’s another leadership role that is tailor-made for an interim leader: Using their skills, experience and executive talent to guide fast-growing companies.

An experienced interim executive is the right leader for companies facing big points of change or growth. Interim and fractional executives often step in to address growing pains many organizations feel when they lack the systems and processes to scale. On the other hand, interim executives jump in as a key part of the diligence or post-acquisition integration strategy for companies and private equity firms leveraging an M&A strategy to expand.

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June 11, 2024

CFO Resignations Hit Record Highs. Who Will Fill the Role When Your CFO Leaves?

CFO Resignations Hit Record Highs. Who Will Fill the Role When Your CFO Leaves?

During the first quarter of 2024, 82 Chief Financial Officers of the biggest public companies left their jobs, tying a record set in Q1 2021. The difference between then and now? Many of the CFOs who resigned in 2021 were retiring post-pandemic. Today, many of them are taking over as CEO, COO, or some other C-suite position.

According to data reported by the management consulting firm Russel Reynolds Associates, 271 CFOs left their post as finance chief in 2023. And Russell Reynolds says that 291 new CFOs were appointed in 2023 — nearly two-thirds of them first-time CFOs.

That adds up to a huge demand for new CFOs around the globe.

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