The rise (and risks) of interim CEO roles

s·Next to LeadThe rise (and risks) of interim CEO rolesBy Ruth UmohBy Ruth UmohEditor, Next to LeadRuth UmohEditor, Next to LeadRuth Umoh is the Next to Lead editor at Fortune, covering the next generation of C-Suite leaders

She also Fortune’s Next to Lead .SEE FULL BIO Interim CEO roles can be a fast route to the corner office, but they can also be the most precarious.Through June 2025, one-third of newly named chief executives stepped into their roles on an interim basis, up from just 9% during the same period last year, according to Challenger, Gray & Christmas

Some were corporate veterans parachuting in to stabilize a company (think: Howard Schultz’s return to Starbucks)

Others are internal lieutenants tapped to hold the line while boards for a permanent leader

On paper, the interim role can look a golden ticket: a fast track to the C-suite, a chance to ve one’s mettle, and instant résumé credibility

It offers exposure to full P&L responsibility, access to the board, and the ability to shape the organization during a pivotal moment

The risks are less glamorous

Interim CEOs often inherit crises without the authority to enact sweeping change

They’re accountable for results, but key decisions may still rest with the board or a hands-on owner

The built-in expiration date can also leave them politically exposed if they’re passed over for the permanent spot, and the intensity of high-stakes transitions makes burnout a constant threat

Many don’t last long enough to leave a mark: At WeWork, Artie Minson and Sebastian Gunningham d interim CEO duties after Adam Neumann’s ouster, but neither secured the top job, and both exited within months once a successor was named

For executives considering an interim role offer, the question is whether the position is a genuine springboard or simply a high-stakes temp job

The smartest way to decide, executive recruiters say, is to run it through three s: Is your scope, authority, and decision-making power ly defined, with resources to match? Does the role advance one’s long-term career vision, even if you don’t get the permanent job? If it ends abruptly, do you have a next move or a narrative that strengthens your fessional brand? If the answers lean heavily toward “yes,” the interim title could be a career accelerant

If not, it may be wiser to hold out for a role with permanence and real decision-making power

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