How to hire an interim CEO.
Seven steps. Two weeks from first call to first day on the ground. A clean exit on the agreed date.
01
Define the mandate
Write the situation, the desired outcome and the success metric on one page. Without it, an interim CEO becomes an expensive consultant. With it, the engagement has a finish line on day one.
02
Scope the role
Decide reporting line (board, controlling shareholder, PE partner), decision authority (P&L, hiring, capex limit), legal title (CEO, General Manager, Amministratore Delegato) and time commitment (full-time or fractional). Italian governance requires the legal title to be filed.
03
Day rate vs monthly retainer
Pick day rate when scope is variable or under three months. Pick monthly retainer when the role is full-time for three months or more, capped by working days per month. Add a milestone-linked success fee only when outcomes are objectively measurable.
04
Contract
Short interim engagement contract between the operating company and the interim CEO (or the CEO's company). Three- to twelve-month initial term with monthly extension. Notice 30 days either side. NDA and IP assignment. Director liability insurance in place before the legal title is registered.
05
Start
On the ground within two weeks. First two weeks: full diagnostic, leadership team one-to-ones, top ten customer review, cash and debt position, working 90-day plan to the board.
06
Operate
Weekly operating rhythm. Monthly board update on the metric agreed in step one. The interim CEO owns the result, not just the recommendation.
07
Handover
Successor briefed for a minimum of two weeks. Documented operating playbook, KPI tree, decisions log and open-issue list left behind. Clean exit on the agreed date.
Hiring checklist
Print this. Tick it off.
If you can tick all eight before the intro call, you will sign a mandate within a week.
- 01One-page mandate signed by the board or controlling shareholder
- 02Reporting line, decision authority and legal title named
- 03Day rate vs monthly retainer chosen and budgeted
- 04Three- to twelve-month interim contract drafted
- 05Director liability insurance arranged
- 06Italian legal filing (Amministratore Delegato) prepared if applicable
- 07Communication plan to staff, customers and suppliers ready
- 08Handover criteria and target start date for the successor agreed up front
Next reads
Sister pages.
For the Italian-language view of the same model, see interimceo.it,ceoadinterim.it anddirettoregeneraleadinterim.it. For wider temporary management roles, see temporarymanager.work.
Next step
Need a CEO in Italy. Fast.
Book a 30-minute intro call. No pitch deck. Direct answers on fit, timeline and scope.