Decision
Interim executive search, or just the executive.
Brief
Most interim searches end with one person in a seat. The question is how much process you pay for before that happens.
Direct answer
Interim executive search firms shortlist interim executives and charge a margin on the daily rate for the whole mandate. Contracting the executive directly removes that margin and shortens time to start from weeks to days. Use a firm when you need volume or an unfamiliar profile; go direct when you know the brief.
When a firm is the right call
- You need several interim roles filled at once across a portfolio.
- The function is outside your own network entirely.
- Internal governance requires a third-party selection process on record.
When going direct wins
When the seat is empty now, the brief is clear and the board wants one accountable person rather than a process. In that case the shortlist adds weeks and a margin without changing the outcome, and every week the seat stays empty has its own cost.
Search firm versus direct engagement
| Interim search firm | Direct engagement | |
|---|---|---|
| Time to start | Three to eight weeks | Around two weeks |
| Cost structure | Executive rate plus firm margin, monthly | Single monthly retainer |
| Who you interview | A shortlist prepared for you | The person who will do the work |
| Scope changes | Renegotiated through the firm | Agreed directly with the executive |
| Exit | Contractual notice via the firm | Short notice, both sides |
Both routes are legitimate. The comparison matters most when the profile is already clear.
Continue reading
Hub
Interim CEO in ItalyOne senior operator with a C-level track record, the alternative to head hunter fees.
Related
Alternative to executive searchThe permanent-search comparison in full.
Related
Interim managementHow the mandate itself is structured.
FAQ
Interim executive search FAQ
Do I need an interim executive search firm to find an interim CEO?
Not necessarily. A firm adds a shortlist and a margin. If you already know the profile you need, contracting the executive directly removes the intermediary fee and shortens the process to days.
How fast can an interim executive start compared with a search process?
A direct interim engagement usually starts within two weeks. A retained executive search for a permanent CEO typically runs four to six months before the person is in the building.
What does an interim search firm charge?
Most firms take a daily-rate margin for the whole mandate, layered on top of what the executive receives. Over a twelve-month mandate that margin often exceeds a permanent search fee.
Can an interim mandate run in parallel with a permanent search?
Yes, and it usually should. The interim executive holds the seat, stabilises performance and helps define the permanent brief, which makes the search itself more accurate.
Need this seat filled. Fast.