What is an Interim CIO?
Discover what an interim CIO is, how to hire one, and how they provide expert IT leadership during transitions and periods of rapid change.
July 4th, 2025
Organizations rely on technology executives to drive growth, manage risk, and stay ahead of the competition. Still, there are times when you might find yourself without a permanent chief information officer (CIO) and in need of temporary leadership. Maybe you're dealing with an unexpected departure, for example, or working through a major organizational change.
The question is: What are your options in these periods of transition? Most importantly, how can you find reliable, go-to IT leaders to keep business running smoothly and expertly navigate these changes?
The answer is: Hire an interim CIO. As seasoned, on-demand executives, interim CIOs are ready to provide immediate guidance, and strategic direction.
Here, we'll explore which services interim CIOs provide, what to look for in an interim hire, and how to find the right fit for your business needs.
The definition of an interim CIO
An interim CIO or chief information officer is a highly experienced technology leader brought into an organization for a defined, short-term period. They're usually hired to fill leadership gaps, guide IT teams through a transition, or manage specific high-impact projects.
Unlike permanent CIOs, interim CIOs are engaged on a temporary basis---typically for several months to a year---until a long-term solution is found. These executives are trained to quickly assess organizational needs and quickly deliver results in challenging or uncertain circumstances.
Key responsibilities of an interim CIO
The role of an interim CIO is dynamic and multifaceted, and its scope can vary based on the unique needs of each organization.
Overall, however, interim CIO responsibilities usually include:
- Guiding companies through change: Interim CIOs are often brought in the event of executive turnover, mergers, acquisitions, or unexpected disruptions. They provide calm, decisive leadership, helping teams navigate uncertainty and maintain focus on priorities.
- Stabilizing IT operations: Leadership gaps happen, but that doesn't mean IT functions can shut down or even slow down. Interim CIOs ensure that day-to-day technology processes continue as usual by addressing immediate risks and reinforcing security and compliance.
- Supporting executive search and succession planning: Interim CIOs might play a key role in the search for a permanent technology leader. They can help define the ideal candidate profile, participate in interviews, and ensure a seamless handoff to a new executive.
- Providing strategic technology leadership: Beyond managing the status quo, interim CIOs evaluate the organization's current technology setup and identify opportunities for improvement, aligning IT initiatives with broader business objectives.
- Leading and mentoring teams: These executives can step in as both leaders and mentors, supporting IT staff and fostering a culture of accountability even during change or crisis.
- Managing critical IT projects: Whether it's a digital transformation, cybersecurity overhaul, or major system upgrade, interim CIOs are often tasked with overseeing time-sensitive, high-stakes projects that can't wait for a permanent hire.
Why hire an interim CIO
Now, let's take a closer look at the high-stakes reasons why companies might turn to interim CIOs:
- Executive departures: When a CIO leaves unexpectedly---whether due to resignation, retirement, or termination---the organization may not have a ready successor in the wings. An interim CIO fills the gap, maintaining continuity and preventing disruption.
- Mergers, acquisitions, or restructuring: During periods of organizational change, such as combining with another company or undergoing internal restructuring, IT leadership needs to be agile and responsive. An interim CIO can unify technology strategies and oversee system integrations to help manage change across teams.
- Periods of rapid growth: Interim CIOs don't just swoop in during a crisis. They can also help fast-growing companies scale operations and support expansion without missing a beat.
"The process [with Go Fractional] has been really seamless. It has felt very easy in that we just have a Slack conversation going and profiles are sent over, scheduling links are sent, and it just feels very adaptable, very entrepreneurial".
Victoria Ashton, Senior VP of People at Lob
Interim vs. fractional CIO: What's the difference?
Along with interim CIOs, fractional CIOs can also be brought on as alternatives to permanent, full-time hires. While both types of executive roles provide executive-level IT leadership, there are important distinctions between them:
- Interim CIOs: Typically work full time (or nearly full-time) for a set duration, often stepping in during a leadership transition or to tackle a major initiative. They become deeply embedded in the organization, leading the IT function as a true member of the executive team.
- Fractional CIOs: Work on a part-time basis, often serving several organizations simultaneously. Fractional CIOs provide ongoing strategic guidance and tackle specific projects and initiatives.
| Feature | Interim CIO | Fractional CIO |
|---|---|---|
| Engagement | Full-time, temporary | Part-time, ongoing |
| Typical duration | Several months, as needed | Ongoing, flexible |
| Use cases | Leadership gaps, organizational transition, succession planning | Special projects, growth, process optimization, strategic advisement |
| Path to full time | Possible, if desired | Less common, typically advisory |
What to look for in an interim CIO
Choosing the right interim CIO is critical to ensuring a smooth transition and continued IT success. So, when it's time to search for your interim technology leader, make sure they bring these qualities to the table:
- Extensive leadership experience: Look for a proven track record of leading IT organizations and teams, especially during times of change or challenge.
- Quick adaptability: Find an IT leader who can rapidly understand your business, culture, and technology stack to make an immediate impact.
- Exceptional communication skills: Interim CIOs must be able to translate complex technology issues for non-technical stakeholders and collaborate with other company leaders.
- Expertise in change management: Beyond just technical acumen, interim CIOs should have experience guiding teams through transitions and crises.
- Strong cultural fit: Even temporarily, your interim CIO should align with your company's values and workplace culture, so they can drive positive change without rocking the boat.
How to hire an interim CIO
Hiring an interim CIO isn't exactly the same as hiring a permanent CIO. For one, your timeline will likely be expedited, since you'll need temporary leadership to quickly step in and provide guidance.
That's where these steps to hiring an interim CIO can help:
- Clarify your needs: Define the challenges you're facing, the outcomes you expect, and the skills required, so interim leaders know what to expect up front.
- Leverages specialized networks: Partner with organizations like Go Fractional, which specialize in connecting businesses with top interim and fractional executives.
- Vet candidates thoroughly: Assess each candidate's experience, leadership style, and ability to address your specific situation.
- Interview for alignment: Make sure your candidate's approach and personality fit your company culture and goals. Use our list of 47 CIO interview questions to get you started.
- Provide a smooth onboarding process: Be ready to give your interim CIO access to key information, people, and resources so they can quickly get to work.
Ready to explore Go Fractional's network of vetted executives? Find your interim CIO or fractional CIO now.
"I think ultimately, at the end of the day, if you're going to be working as much as we work, you want to enjoy who you're engaging with and working with. And so that's just been a phenomenal part of working with Go Fractional as well."
Victoria Ashton, Senior VP of People at Lob
How much does an interim CIO cost?
The cost of hiring an interim CIO depends on many factors like the executive's background, the complexity of your needs, and the duration of the contract. According to Glassdoor, interim CIOs earn $242,000-383,000 per year, with a median salary of $301,000.
Interim CIO FAQs
How many hours do interim CIOs typically work?
Most interim CIOs work between 20 and 40 hours per week, depending on the organization's requirements and the nature of the assignment.
How long does an interim CIO placement last?
Contracts typically range from three to twelve months, but they can vary based on the complexity of the situation and the time needed to find a permanent replacement or complete a major project.
Can an interim CIO become a permanent full-time hire?
Absolutely. Many interim CIOs transition into permanent roles if both the executive and organization find the fit is right. At Go Fractional, we can help you find candidates open to full-time employment at the end of their interim contract.
How does Go Fractional source and select interim CIO candidates?
Go Fractional maintains a highly selective network of over 1,200 executives from companies like Google, Uber, and Compass. We personally interview and vet each candidate for their leadership experience and expertise, using a rigorous selection process ensures only proven leaders join our platform. If your ideal candidate isn't already in our community, we can also conduct a custom executive search to find the perfect match for your needs, including contract-to-hire options for those who may become permanent team members.
By working with a trusted partner like Go Fractional, you can access a network of proven technology leaders ready to deliver results---exactly when you need them most.
