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Veteran tech executives are increasingly drawn to the flexibility and fresh challenges of interim and fractional CIO roles. Whether you’re seeking more control over your time, eager to solve complex problems at scale, or simply ready for a new phase in your career, the interim path offers an exciting opportunity to make a high-impact difference across organizations.
But making the leap from a traditional, full-time C-suite role to interim work isn’t as simple as updating your resume. It requires a mindset shift, new strategies, and a clear value proposition. In a panel hosted by Robert Jordan, CEO of InterimExecs, seasoned interim leaders Dominic Luzi, Tom Murray, and John Matthesen shared their hard-won insights on what it takes to succeed as an interim or fractional CIO. Here’s what you need to know.
Understand What Makes an Interim CIO Different
The role of an interim CIO isn’t just a shorter version of your last C-suite job; it’s a fundamentally different type of leadership. Interim CIOs must deliver results fast, with minimal ramp-up time. They’re brought in to assess, prioritize, and implement change in organizations that may be in crisis, transition, or growth mode.
As John Matthesen explains, the CIO role “encompasses both infrastructure management and strategic planning,” aligning IT with overall business goals. That makes it especially well-suited for interim engagements. Unlike CTOs who typically build or refine technology products, CIOs optimize operations, systems, and data flow across the enterprise.
Dominic Luzi emphasizes how much the role has evolved: “If you’re reporting to the CEO, you’re creating profit for the business, you’re no longer a cost center.” Today’s CIOs drive initiatives like CRM integration, operational streamlining, and data-informed marketing, all of which tie directly to revenue.
Tom Murray sums it up simply: “The CIO is 70% business and 30% technology.” That business-first perspective is essential for interim success.
5 Steps to Succeed as an Interim CIO
Step 1: Leverage Your Cross-Functional Business Experience
Executives who thrive in interim CIO roles don’t just know IT—they understand how IT powers the whole business. If you’ve led initiatives across operations, finance, or sales, now’s the time to highlight those experiences.
“I’ve been a VP of sales… and CEO too,” says Matthesen. “So I have a good perspective on all of that.” This breadth enables CIOs to speak the language of other C-suite leaders and position IT as a strategic enabler.
Luzi agrees: “You have to be someone who has broad-based experience in business and business processes.” For prospective interim CIOs, this means reframing your narrative—not as a tech leader who supports the business, but as a business leader who uses tech to drive outcomes.
Read More: What is the Role of an Interim CIO? 5 Common Use Cases
Step 2: Create a Repeatable Assessment Framework
When you’re dropped into a new organization with little context and big expectations, you need a playbook. That’s where a structured assessment methodology comes in.
Tom Murray describes his process as “a short fixed-price assessment” designed to quickly evaluate IT strategy, performance, and alignment. His team delivers focused, PowerPoint-based recommendations that outline priorities, free fixes, and longer-term investments.
Luzi uses a benchmarking approach: “Figure out where we want to be, where we are, and create a roadmap.” Your framework should help you diagnose issues fast, gain stakeholder buy-in, and start delivering visible wins—whether your engagement lasts three months or three years.
Read More: The Six Times PE Funds Use Interim Executives
Step 3: Build Trust Early—and Manage Expectations
Walking into a company as the “outsider” can trigger anxiety or resistance. One of your first jobs is to make others comfortable with your presence and authority—without stepping on toes.
“You have to clearly define where your role is and how it differs from them,” says Murray, who recounts serving as a project manager for a sitting CIO to help execute their vision without disrupting internal dynamics.
Luzi suggests anchoring conversations around shared goals: “I let them know these are the types of results that we’ve achieved working together… If you want to be part of those kinds of results, I can help you do that.” Asking the right opening question—like “What’s your vision of the perfect world?”—positions you as a partner, not a threat.
Read More: 11 Things to Expect from an Interim Leader During Their First 30 Days on the Job
Step 4: Get Serious About Marketing Yourself
If you’re used to being recruited into long-term roles, interim life can be a rude awakening. You have to market yourself constantly.
“I’m out and about constantly… because otherwise, you can’t as a single contributor advertise your way into something,” says Matthesen, who relies on speaking engagements and webinars to build visibility.
Luzi encourages referrals and reminds satisfied clients to spread the word: “You need to start telling your friends.”
The key? “Make sure your message and statement on the one or two things that you do or sell are clearly explained and easily delivered,” says Murray. That clarity helps clients immediately grasp the value you bring.
Read More: How to Perfect Your Personal Elevator Pitch in 3 Easy Steps
Step 5: Learn from Failures. Celebrate Wins.
Not every engagement goes smoothly. Sometimes, things go sideways. What sets successful interim CIOs apart is their ability to learn and adapt.
Matthesen shares this lesson: “Where I’ve gotten screwed up is when I have not really understood… who owns the company, who owns the IP, or are there shareholder or investor problems.” The takeaway? Do your due diligence upfront.
Luzi offers five guiding principles:
- Test everything: Don’t assume. Validate.
- Evangelize the vision: Rally stakeholders around a shared goal.
- Pay attention to discord: Conflict often reveals hidden issues.
- Respond and decide quickly: Speed is your friend.
- Communicate relentlessly: Keep people aligned and motivated.
Meanwhile, Murray recalls pitching an overly complex plan to a small organization—a misfire that taught him to “get real” about client readiness. But his greatest success? Rethinking risk management for a client, which helped enable a successful acquisition.
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Practical Tips to Launch Your Interim Practice
Starting your interim career is like launching a startup. A few essentials:
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Join professional networks: As Matthesen and Luzi advise, organizations are a vital source of support and opportunity.
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Get your house in order: Murray recommends preparing strong contracts, thinking through liability, and polishing your marketing materials.
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Stay in the game: Luzi reads the Wall Street Journal daily to spot companies that might need help. “Enjoy the fact that you’re getting closer to it with every phone call you make,” he says.
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Keep learning: Interim work stretches you. “Every time you go into an engagement, there is something new,” says Murray. “That adds to your skill set and makes it pretty damn interesting.”
- Join the InterimExecs tribe on Instagram. There, CEO Bob Jordan shares tips and insights and builds community among interim executives. It can be lonely out there. Join us!
Final Thoughts
Becoming an interim CIO is not a fallback—it’s a strategic career move for tech leaders who want to make a difference, one company at a time. If you’re ready to step into high-stakes, high-impact roles with built-in variety and flexibility, now is the time to get started.
Follow the lead of experts like Luzi, Murray, and Matthesen: Focus on business impact, stay agile, and keep building your personal brand. The world of interim leadership needs experienced hands—and yours may be just what’s required next.
Ready to take the next step? Connect with the team at InterimExecs.com to explore how we help match elite tech talent with companies in need of transformational leadership.
