How to Hire a CEO
How a board hires a chief executive officer, what to look for, how long it takes, and when an interim CEO is the faster, safer move.
What hiring a CEO actually decides
Hiring a chief executive officer is the single highest-leverage decision a board makes. It sets the operating standard, the pace of execution, and the quality of every hire below it. The brief should be written around outcomes the company needs in the next twenty-four months, not a generic profile. Most CEO searches fail because they select for pedigree instead of fit against the real problem.
What a board should look for
- A track record against the specific problem: scale-up, restructuring, turnaround, or expansion
- Full P&L ownership at the relevant size and complexity
- Evidence of decisive action inside the first ninety days
- Comfort with the company's sponsors, chair, and governance reality
How long a CEO search takes
- A permanent search typically runs three to six months end to end
- An interim CEO can start in weeks when a company cannot wait
- Notice periods and counter-offers extend the calendar more than boards expect
- A clear brief shortens the search more than any other single factor
When to appoint an interim CEO instead
- A sudden departure that leaves a leadership gap
- A turnaround the existing team cannot reset
- A stabilisation period before a permanent appointment
- Post-acquisition integration that needs senior ownership now
https://niklaslindahl.com/for-recruiters/how-to-hire-a-ceo