What is an Interim CTO?
Discover what an interim CTO is, including costs, services, and responsibilities. Learn how Go Fractional makes it easy to hire an interim CTO.
July 4th, 2025
As any modern business knows, technology evolves rapidly and has the power to quickly transform a company's trajectory. But with those transformations can come sudden and major changes in leadership or organizational needs. When that happens---whether it's an unexpected exit or a new strategic direction---it's crucial that you can find new technology leaders to steer your IT ship.
This is where interim CTOs come in. These seasoned professionals can step up to ensure your processes don't lose momentum, your teams remain productive, and your business continues to innovate, even in times of uncertainty.
Here, we'll unpack the many roles and responsibilities of interim CIOs and provide practical steps to hire your own temporary IT leaders.
The definition of an interim CTO
An interim chief technology officer or CTO is a highly experienced tech leader brought in for a limited time to guide a company's technology strategy and operations. Unlike a permanent CTO, who is a long-term member of the executive team, an interim CTO is engaged for a specific period---typically a few months up to a year. Their mission? Address immediate needs, drive critical projects, and set the stage for future success while a permanent solution is found or a transition is underway.
Key responsibilities of an interim CTO
The responsibilities of an interim CTO can be both broad and highly specialized, depending on the organization's immediate needs. For example, interim CTOs can help businesses:
- Navigate change or crises: Interim CTOs are experts at stepping into high-pressure environments, such as leadership transitions, urgent technical challenges, or periods of instability. They provide steady direction, helping teams stay focused and productive.
- Restore and optimize tech operations: When there's a gap at the top, technology teams can lose direction. Interim CTOs work to restore order, optimize workflows, and ensure critical systems remain secure and reliable.
- Assist with leadership search and succession: These leaders frequently play a pivotal role in the search for a permanent executive. They may help define the ideal candidate profile, participate in the interview process, and ensure a smooth handoff to the incoming CTO.
- Craft and execute IT strategies: Beyond day-to-day management, interim CTOs evaluate the company's current tech stack, identify areas for improvement, and set a course for future innovation.
- Mentor technical teams: Interim CTOs often focus on developing engineering, product, and IT teams to help clarify priorities and foster a culture of learning and accountability.
- Oversee critical initiatives: From cloud migrations to security upgrades, interim CTOs are often tasked with managing high-stakes projects that can't wait for a permanent leader.
- Enable collaboration across departments: By acting as a liaison between technology and other business units, interim CTOs ensure that technical goals remain aligned with overall company goals.
"So we partnered with Go Fractional first for our engineering executive. I think it was after three days of being our fractional VP of engineering, we were looking to make a full-time hire. And so we've been able to leverage Go Fractional first on our engineering team"
Victoria Ashton, Senior VP of People at Lob
Why hire an interim CTO?
In some instances, companies are without permanent CTOs and can't afford to go through the process of hiring a new one. Instead, they might turn to interim CTOs to keep their technology agenda moving forward while they address longer-term leadership needs.
Here's a closer look at various reasons why a business might need to hire an interim CTO:
- Unexpected CTO departure: If your technology leader leaves suddenly, an interim CTO can step in to maintain stability and keep projects on track.
- Mergers, acquisitions, and restructuring: During periods of significant organizational change, temporary leaders can help integrate systems, align teams, and ensure business continuity.
- Rapid expansion or scaling: When a company grows quickly, their technology needs might outpace existing leadership. An interim CTO can help scale infrastructure and develop teams to support this rapid growth.
- Urgent technical challenges: If your company faces a crisis, like a major system failure or compliance issue, an interim CTO can bring the expertise needed to resolve it quickly.
Interim vs. fractional CTO: What's the difference?
Not all leadership gaps require the same solution. When you need on-demand technology guidance, you have two main options: interim and fractional CTOs. While both roles bring executive-level expertise to the table, the way they engage with your business can be quite different:
- Interim CTOs: Typically join the company full-time or nearly full-time for a set period, often to navigate a transition or to address a specific challenge. They immerse themselves in the organization and take on comprehensive leadership responsibilities.
- Fractional CTOs: Work with one or more companies on a part-time basis, providing strategic advice and oversight without the commitment of a full-time role. Fractional CTOs are ideal for organizations that need ongoing guidance.
The solution you choose will depend on your company's immediate needs and your budget. For example, you might hire an interim CTO to help your organization recover from a major security breach. On the other hand, you might hire a fractional CTO to oversee the implementation of a new software system or AI tool.
Ready to find your on-demand executive? Hire an interim CTO or fractional CTO.
What to look for in an interim CTO
Selecting the right interim CTO is critical to ensure a smooth transition and scalable growth. Beyond technical expertise, you need someone who can adapt quickly, inspire confidence, and drive results in a compressed time frame. More specifically, you'll want to hire an interim CTO with qualities like these:
- Extensive technical leadership: Look for a candidate with a proven history of leading technology teams through change, growth, or crisis.
- Ability to hit the ground running: Interim CTOs must quickly grasp your company's technology vision, stack, and culture, and start making an impact from day one.
- Strategic vision: The best interim CTOs can balance short-term problem-solving with long-term planning, ensuring today's decisions set the stage for future success.
- Clear communication skills: Interim leaders should be able to explain complex technical issues to stakeholders at all levels, building trust and alignment.
- Cultural compatibility: Even in a temporary role, the interim CTO should fit your company's values and working style, quickly bringing solutions---instead of more problems---to your organization.
"We've been able to partner with Go Fractional as well for fractional support for some product leadership, which has been really helpful. And so getting different viewpoints on the product side has been really helpful in moving us forward on our roadmap".
Victoria Ashton, Senior VP of People at Lob
How to hire an interim CTO
You'll want your hiring process to be swift but thorough, since time is often of the essence. That's why it's important to clearly define your needs up front, tap into the right executive recruiting networks, and develop a well-structured onboarding process.If this still sounds overwhelming, Go Fractional is here to help. We offer access to a network of over 1,200 rigorously vetted executives from leading companies like Google, Uber, and Compass. Each candidate goes through a rigorous selection process, so only the most capable leaders join our platform. You can start browsing on your own or trust us to help match you with the right candidates for your needs.
How much does an interim CTO cost?
The cost of hiring an interim CTO depends on several factors, including the executive's background, the complexity of your needs, and the duration of the engagement. However, interim CTOs typically command a premium for their specialized skills and rapid impact. According to Glassdoor, interim CTOs earn $259,000-489,000 with a median salary of $366,000.
Interim CTO FAQs
How many hours do interim CTOs typically work?
Most interim CTOs work between 20 and 40 hours per week, depending on your company's needs and the scope of their responsibilities.
How long does an interim CTO placement last?
Assignments typically range from three to 12 months, varying according to the complexity of the situation and the time needed to find a permanent replacement or complete a major project.
Can an interim CTO become a permanent full-time hire?
Yes. Many companies discover that their interim CTO is the perfect long-term fit and choose to make the role permanent. At Go Fractional, we can help source candidates who are open to full-time opportunities if the interim arrangement proves successful.
How does Go Fractional source and select interim CTO candidates?
Go Fractional maintains a highly selective network of over 1,200 executives, each personally interviewed and vetted for their leadership experience and expertise. We focus on interim and fractional placements and can also conduct custom executive searches outside our network to ensure you find the right candidate.
With Go Fractional, you gain access to a premium community of proven technology leaders who can step in and deliver results---right when you need them most.
