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Full-time temporary Chief Technology Officers for 3-12 month assignments. Leadership for tech turnarounds, digital transformations, and CTO vacancy cover. Day rates £1,200-£2,000.
An Interim CTO is a temporary Chief Technology Officer who works full-time for a fixed period, typically 3-12 months. This is a leadership role focused exclusively on one organisation during a critical period of change, crisis, or transition.
Unlike fractional or part-time CTOs, Interim CTOs are present 5 days per week, embedded within the organisation just like a permanent CTO. The key difference is the time-bound nature of the engagement and the specific mission focus.
Interim CTOs are brought in to navigate specific challenges: tech turnarounds, digital transformations, platform migrations, crisis management, or to cover a permanent CTO vacancy while recruitment is underway.
Legacy systems failing, mounting technical debt, quality crisis. The Interim CTO diagnoses issues, stabilises operations, and rebuilds engineering standards.
Leading cloud migration, platform modernisation, or complete technology stack overhaul. Full-time leadership to drive change.
Permanent CTO departed or on extended leave. Interim CTO maintains momentum and provides stability during recruitment.
Security breach, major outage, regulatory compliance failure. Immediate full-time leadership to resolve and prevent recurrence.
Post-acquisition tech integration, system consolidation, team merger. Focused leadership for critical transition period.
Rapid expansion requiring technology scaling, team growth, and infrastructure buildout before permanent CTO hire.
Interim CTO day rates in the UK typically range from £1,200 to £2,000 per day, depending on experience, assignment complexity, and industry sector.
Total Assignment Cost
For a 6-month assignment at £1,500/day (5 days/week): approximately £180,000-£195,000. This is comparable to a permanent CTO's annual salary plus benefits, but delivered in a focused, time-limited engagement with no long-term commitment.
Interim CTOs require a broader skill set than permanent CTOs. Beyond technical leadership, they must rapidly assess situations, implement change under pressure, and navigate organisational politics without established relationships.
Most Interim CTOs transition from permanent CTO roles after 15-20 years in technology leadership. The career path typically follows this progression:
Build experience as CTO or VP Engineering across multiple companies. Develop expertise in scaling teams, leading transformations, and navigating crises. Typically 2-3 permanent roles.
Take first interim role, often through network or recommendation. Prove ability to deliver results in short timeframe. Build confidence in interim operating model.
Complete 3-5 interim assignments across different situations. Develop reputation and case studies. Build network with interim agencies and direct clients. Refine day rate and positioning.
Regular pipeline of assignments through reputation and network. Premium day rates (£1,800-£2,000+). Selective about assignments. May specialise in specific types of work (turnaround, transformation, etc).
Alternative Entry Point: Some Interim CTOs come from consulting backgrounds (McKinsey, BCG, Big 4) where they have led technology transformations. This path emphasises change management and stakeholder engagement over hands-on technical experience.
Key Success Factor: Building a strong network is critical. Most interim assignments come through referrals, not job boards. Active engagement in CTO communities, conference speaking, and maintaining relationships with former colleagues and clients drives deal flow.
| Feature | Interim CTO | Fractional CTO | Full-Time CTO |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Whether you need a tech turnaround specialist, transformation leader, or vacancy cover, we connect you with experienced Interim CTOs ready to start immediately.