How to Write a Recruiter Brief for an Interim CEO
A recruiter brief for an interim CEO in an Italian PE-backed portfolio company should fit on one page and answer six questions. This is the template that lands shortlists in ten days instead of six weeks.
The template
- Company one-liner and stage (LBO, growth, distressed)
- The exact business problem the interim solves in 90 days
- Named board sponsor and reporting line
- Non-negotiable technical skills (language, sector, deal experience)
- Timeline: start date and expected handover
- Compensation range and structure (day rate + success)
The one trap to avoid
Do not write the brief as a permanent CEO JD with the word interim added. Interim mandates fail when the scope is 'run the company'. They work when the scope is 'stabilise cash and hand over to a permanent CEO by month 9'.
How the brief lands a shortlist in 10 days
- Sponsor pre-briefs 3 to 5 named operators
- Written scope + timeline sent same day
- Two-hour first call, not a 30-minute screen
- Chemistry meeting with sponsor in week 2
- Decision in week 2, start in week 3 or 4
https://niklaslindahl.com/guides/recruiter-brief-interim-ceo-italian-portfolio-company