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Full-time, on-site HR leadership for 3-12 month assignments. Cover leadership gaps, drive transformations, manage restructuring. Not part-time consulting.
An Interim CHRO (or Interim HR Director) is a full-time Chief Human Resources Officer hired for a fixed period—typically 3-12 months. They work exclusively for your organisation during critical people periods: leadership gaps, major transformations, restructuring, or culture crises.
This is NOT part-time consulting or fractional work. Interim CHROs are in your office 5 days a week, leading your HR team, handling sensitive employee situations, and driving organizational change—just like a permanent hire, but for a defined period.
Based on 5-day weeks. Rates typically decrease for longer assignments (6+ months).
Your CHRO/HRD has left and you need immediate leadership while recruiting.
Major restructuring with significant people implications requiring expert handling.
Serious culture or engagement issues requiring intensive, dedicated focus.
Merging workforces and cultures post-acquisition.
Complete overhaul of HR function, systems, or operating model.
Scaling from 50 to 500+ employees and need full-time HR leadership.
Your CHRO/HRD departed. You need immediate people leadership while recruiting. Interim maintains employee relations, keeps HR operations running, provides stability during transition. Typical duration: 3-6 months.
Major organizational restructuring with significant people implications. Requires expert handling of consultations, negotiations, employee communications. High-stakes work. 4-9 months.
Complete overhaul of HR function: new HRIS, performance systems, talent frameworks, operating model. Requires dedicated leadership to drive change. 6-12 months.
Serious culture problems, high attrition, employee relations issues, discrimination claims. Needs intensive, sensitive handling. 6-12 months.
Post-acquisition people integration: harmonizing policies, merging teams, cultural alignment, redundancy programmes. 6-9 months.
Most Interim CHROs have 15-25 years of HR experience. You do not start your career as an interim—you transition into it after building deep expertise across multiple organizations.
Most interim CHROs work 8-10 months per year across 2-3 assignments. Between assignments they do advisory work, CIPD examining, or non-exec roles.
| Feature | Interim CHRO | Fractional CHRO | Full-Time CHRO |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commitment | Full-time (temporary) | 1-3 days/week | Full-time (permanent) |
| Duration | 3-12 months | Ongoing (6+ months typical) | Permanent |
| Cost | £8,000-£12,000/week | £3,000-£6,000/week | £150,000-£250,000/year + benefits |
| Focus | Gap-fill or transformation | Strategic + operational | All responsibilities |
| Flexibility | Fixed term contract | Scale up/down as needed | Limited flexibility |
| Best For | Leadership gaps, major transitions | Growing companies, specific expertise needs | Large orgs with full-time need |
Tell us about your situation. We'll help you determine if you need a full-time interim or part-time fractional CHRO—and connect you with the right person.