Why Interim Help Is Better Than Rushing the Wrong Hire

When someone senior leaves a marketing or BD role, the instinct is often to pause. Wait for the right person. Take your time to get the next hire absolutely right.

But while you’re waiting, things start to slow down. Campaigns lose momentum. Teams get stuck. Projects stall or go quiet. And suddenly, three or four months have passed and marketing feels reactive again.

The truth is, doing nothing is still a decision. And the cost of waiting often adds up in ways that aren’t always obvious at first. Lost leads. Missed opportunities. A team that starts to lose confidence.

That’s where interim cover can be so valuable

It gives you breathing room. Someone steps in to keep things moving while you hire properly in the background. You don’t need to rush a recruitment decision, and you avoid piling extra pressure onto already stretched teams.

Here are a few practical things an interim can do during that gap:

First, stabilise the team

Junior marketers often lose direction when senior leadership leaves. Regular check-ins, clear goals, and a bit of mentoring can go a long way.

Second, keep high-impact activity going

Focus on what drives results. That might be refining a campaign, getting a newsletter out the door, or making sure BD teams have the right tools for follow-up.

Third, spot the gaps

An interim can give you a clear view of what’s missing. Are there processes that need tightening? Are you measuring the right things? Are roles clearly defined?

Fourth, leave things better than they were

The right interim doesn’t just hold the fort. They can audit what’s there, make improvements, and leave your new hire with a better foundation to succeed.

So yes, take your time to hire well. But you don’t need to freeze everything in the meantime. With a bit of short-term support, you can protect momentum, support your team, and keep marketing aligned with your business goals.

Watch the video on my YouTube channel here.

Need help?
If you would like help with your marketing, bringing on a marketing consultant with a fresh pair of eyes can make all the difference. I work with B2B businesses and professional service firms in London, Kent, the UK, and Europe, specialising as a legal marketing consultant. Please get in touch or book a free 30-minute consultation.

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Interim and Outsourced Marketing