Interim CMO Services
Fill your empty marketing seat with an Interim CMO
When your head of marketing leaves, the work still must get done. Campaigns still need an owner, the team still needs direction, and the board still wants numbers. I step in as your interim CMO to run marketing for the length of the gap, keep the work already in motion on track, and set up a clean handoff to whoever comes next. Twenty years of running B2B marketing means I get up to speed fast and start making decisions in week one.
What interim leadership gives you
An empty marketing seat is expensive in ways that are easy to miss: stalled campaigns, a team without direction, and momentum you have to rebuild later. I have run marketing across healthcare, software, and consumer companies, so I can size up your situation and set the right priorities quickly.
Marketing keeps running from day one
I pick up the work already underway, keep campaigns on schedule, and make the calls that keep leads coming in.
Your team gets direction and support
I set clear priorities, coach the team you have, and give them a senior person to support and inspire them to continue performing.
A senior leader with view from the outside
Coming in fresh, I spot what is working and what to fix without the history that slows an internal hire down.
Strategy plus the hands to do the work
I write the marketing plan and then do the work alongside your team: customer research, lead generation, campaigns, and the weekly reporting that shows what is working. On a small team that has just lost its leader, having someone senior who will also roll up their sleeves is what keeps progress steady.
What I take on as your interim CMO
When I step in, I run marketing the way a permanent CMO would, with the plan built around your business goals and the day-to-day handled so nothing stalls..
Key responsibilities often include:
- Build one marketing plan that connects your channels and matches your revenue goals
- Make the day-to-day decisions that keep campaigns and launches on schedule
- Do the hands-on work with your team, from analysis to campaigns to reporting
- Give your marketing and sales people clear priorities and direction
- Improve how you reach and keep customers through better campaigns and content
- Find, hire, and onboard your permanent marketing leader when you are ready
If you are covering a leadership gap or pushing through a fast growth stretch, I keep marketing producing while we sort out the permanent hire together.
4 reasons to hire an interim CMO
When your marketing momentum stalls, bringing in experienced leadership, even temporarily can be the difference between stuck and scaling.
Gaps in the Marketing Seat
Your team’s working hard, but without the right leadership, strategy falls flat, execution feels scattered and leads stall.
You Can’t Afford to Wait
Marketing doesn’t stop just because the seat is empty. Interim support bridges the gap fast, without losing time (or traction).
Business Growth Is Stuck in Neutral
If sales have plateaued or campaigns are underperforming, it’s time for strategic guidance to help reignite momentum.
You Need Results Now
A seasoned interim CMO brings focus, accountability, and action. Just clarity and outcomes you can measure.
Choosing the Right Interim CMO for Your Business
Hiring an interim CMO isn’t just about filling a seat, it’s about finding a steady hand to guide your team, align your strategy, and drive results from day one.
Start with Fit, Not Just Credentials
Talk to more than one interim candidate. The right interim CMO brings experience and a collaborative style that fits your culture and leadership team.
Look for Strategic Focus + Execution
Your interim CMO should quickly assess what’s working (and what’s not), set priorities, and guide your team toward clear marketing wins that support business goals.
Plan for a Smooth Handoff
A good interim CMO sets up your team and the next full-time hire for success. That means documenting systems, building momentum, and ensuring a clean transition.
More Resources
More Resources
More resources about Interim CMOs
When should I hire an interim CMO?
Determine if it’s time to bring in an interim CMO to guide your company during transitions to accelerate marketing results and business growth.
3 benefits of hiring an interim CMO
Understand how an interim CMO can help protect business continuity, elevate your team & bring fresh skillsets and perspective to your company.
Are CMOs prepared for Artificial Intelligence?
AI isn’t optional anymore. It’s essential for marketing success. CMOs must be prepared to lead in the AI-driven future and ensure their companies thrive.
What Happens After an Interim CMO Steps In?
Once hired, an interim CMO should hit the ground running, acting quickly, objectively, and always in service of your company’s goals.
Their role is to:
-
Bring clarity and calm during what may be an uncertain transition
-
Unite cross-functional teams around a shared marketing direction
-
Act as a neutral, trusted advisor free from internal politics
-
Establish measurable goals and ensure marketing drives revenue, not just activity
-
Create a strategic marketing plan that your business can rally behind
This isn’t just a placeholder role, it’s a catalyst for focus, traction, and forward movement.
Learn more about interim CMO services
Looking to fill your critical role of the vacant chief marketing officer seat quickly? I offer interim CMO services to assist with your marketing needs.
My remote location is anywhere you are!
+1 612 512 1595
Contact me for a free strategy chat
My story
What is HPZ Marketing?
The HPZ marketing name has a deep personal meaning for me.
I named my company after my beloved grandfather.
Jessica Kelley
Founder and CEO
Jessica Kelley has more than two decades of experience in marketing and finance, with a focus on B2B and B2C channels. She has worked extensively within the healthcare, consumer, commercial, and software industries in diverse environments ranging in size from a $200 billion corporation to a startup firm.
Jessica is the founder of HPZ Marketing, an interim CMO and fractional CMO company and is certified by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) as a Women’s Business Enterprise and Women Owned Small Business (WOSB). They provide interim and fractional executive marketing services to help businesses achieve marketing ROI with executable strategy and a relentless focus on customer acquisition and retention. Learn more about hiring a fractional CMO for your business.