Interim / Fractional Chief Marketing Officer

Job Title: Interim / Fractional Chief Marketing Officer
Location:

Remote

Duration:

6 months - with a possibility to extend

Job Type:

Contract (20 40 hours per week (variable)

Job Description:

Our client is seeking an Interim Chief Marketing Officer to provide decisive, hands-on leadership during a critical period of transition and transformation. This leader will stabilize marketing operations, drive short term performance improvements, and help position the organization to compete effectively in a rapidly evolving landscape shaped by AI-driven discovery, changing customer behavior, and increasing competitive pressure.

The Interim CMO will step into a lean environment and serve as a builder and operator, not a caretaker. This role requires someone who can quickly assess current capabilities, align teams, strengthen demand generation, and modernize marketing practices while improving accountability and performance.

This engagement is expected to last approximately six months while a permanent leadership search progresses.

Context for the Role

The marketing leadership role has been vacant for several months, with senior leadership covering responsibilities in the interim. Marketing capabilities are distributed across functions and require stronger integration, clearer operating rhythms, and improved performance focus.

Organic visibility has declined as the market shifts toward AI-powered discovery, increasing reliance on paid channels. The organization is seeking a leader who can strengthen technical SEO, Answer Engine Optimization (AEO), and Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), while improving overall marketing effectiveness.

What You Will Do

Drive Growth and Performance

Lead full funnel demand generation strategy to drive qualified demand and conversion

Improve channel performance across paid, organic, and digital channels

Drive short term performance improvements while strengthening long term foundations

Rebalance channel mix toward sustainable organic growth

Lead Modern Search and Discovery Strategy

Strengthen technical SEO, content architecture, and site performance

Lead strategy across SEO, Answer Engine Optimization (AEO), and Generative Engine Optimization (GEO)

Improve visibility across traditional search engines, AI answer engines, and large language model discovery environments

Ensure content is structured for question based and AI mediated search behavior

Stabilize Marketing Operations

Establish clear operating cadence, priorities, and performance expectations

Create accountability across teams and functions

Improve coordination between brand, performance, analytics, and content teams

Partner with executive leadership to align marketing with organizational priorities

Provide Executive Leadership

Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership

Provide clear recommendations and decisive leadership

Help guide the organization through a period of transition

Team Scope

You will provide leadership and oversight across:

Brand and product marketing

Performance and demand generation marketing

SEO and website strategy

Marketing analytics and reporting

External agencies and partners

A small B2B marketing function, with primary focus on core growth initiatives

Technologies and Environment

You will operate across a modern marketing ecosystem that may include:

CRM and marketing automation platforms such as Salesforce or similar environments

Digital analytics, dashboards, and attribution tools

Performance marketing platforms supporting paid search and paid social

SEO tools and content optimization platforms

Content management systems

AI and generative tools supporting content and workflow acceleration

Experimentation and conversion optimization tools

Video and digital distribution platforms including YouTube

Collaboration tools supporting distributed teams

You will assess current capabilities and ensure the technology environment supports performance, measurement, and future readiness.

Must Haves

Proven experience operating at CMO or senior marketing executive level

Deep expertise in demand generation and performance marketing

Strong hands-on leadership style with ability to engage directly in execution

Demonstrated experience stabilizing or transforming marketing organizations

Deep expertise in technical SEO and organic growth strategy

Strong understanding of Answer Engine Optimization (AEO), Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), and AI driven discovery

Experience improving visibility across both traditional search and emerging AI channels

Experience working in lean or resource constrained environments

Ability to drive short term performance improvements and create accountability

Strong data driven mindset and executive presence

Preferred Background

Experience in education, EdTech, or mission driven organizations

Experience leading through periods of change or transformation

Familiarity with complex customer or decision journeys

Leadership Style

Action oriented and pragmatic

Comfortable with ambiguity

Low ego and collaborative

Decisive and accountable

Builder mindset focused on outcomes

Why This Role Matters

This is an opportunity to step into a meaningful leadership role and help guide an organization through a period of change. The Interim CMO will play a critical role in strengthening marketing foundations, improving performance, and helping the organization adapt to evolving market dynamics shaped by AI and changing discovery behaviors.