Interim Sales Director who takes charge of the team in days

When sales leadership breaks down, it shows up in the order book only after a delay. By then it’s already too late.

An interim sales director takes control of the team within days, assesses the true state of the sales pipeline, and keeps customer relationships warm while a permanent leader is being recruited.

What is an interim sales director?

An interim sales director is a temporary sales director who leads the sales team and is responsible for sales results for an agreed period. They are typically needed when a sales director leaves, sales aren’t growing, or the company is expanding into a new market.

They don’t come to conduct a review but to lead: they go through deals, sit in weekly meetings, and meet key accounts themselves.

Read also how an interim manager differs from a consultant and a recruited executive.

When do you need an Interim Sales Director?

Sales Director leaves

Key accounts have been in their hands. Relationships must be transferred in a controlled manner before a competitor has a chance to call.

Sales aren't growing

Sales aren’t growing according to budget, and you need someone to review the sales pipeline, pricing, and team without internal ties.

New market

The company is expanding into a new market and needs someone who has built sales from scratch before.

International Interim Manager →

Sales transformation or CRM

The change needs to be visible in how salespeople actually spend their week.

What does an interim sales director do during the first 90 days?

Weeks 1–2

Focus: sales pipeline review deal by deal and meeting key accounts.

Result: realistic forecast and list of at-risk customers.

Weeks 3–6

Focus: sales team rhythm: weekly meetings, metrics, and responsibilities.

Result: every salesperson knows their targets and next steps.

Weeks 7–13

Focus: agreed change, such as new market, pricing, organization, or CRM.

Result: the change is underway and measurable, and the model is ready for the successor.

How to get an Interim Sales Director

Tell us about your situation

We will go through it in about half an hour. The assessment is free of charge and does not commit you to anything.

Proposal in 48 hours

You'll typically receive 2–4 carefully selected candidates with justifications within 48 hours. Not a long list of "just-okay" names.

The work starts

You meet the candidates and decide for yourself. A start is possible as early as next week.

How does interim sales director billing work?

You only pay for days worked, and billing occurs once a month. There are no recruitment fees or fixed monthly charges.

The price depends on the role, the situation, and how many days a week the expert is needed. We will provide this after the assessment, before you commit to anything.

When the situation hits, remember one name

Trusted advisor

When the situation hits, you only need to remember one name. We take ownership from the first call until the assignment is completed. We don’t disappear after the contract is signed.

Experienced

Each of our partners has led a company and solved the same challenges you’re facing now. That’s why we understand your situation immediately, and our executives can be thrown straight into the deep end.

Straightforward

You deal directly with the partners handling your search. No middlemen or unnecessary bureaucracy, and you always know where things stand without having to ask.

Efficient

We don’t sell processes for the sake of the process. We cut out the steps that don’t benefit you and only use your time for what moves the assignment forward.

Frequently Asked Questions

You’ll receive a proposal typically within 48 hours: 2–4 carefully selected candidates. You meet them and can decide on a start date as early as next week.

We select candidates based on industry and sales model, for example B2B project sales, distribution channels, or SaaS sales. In our proposal, we explain why these specific people.

The duration is agreed upon according to the situation and can be extended or shortened. The assignment can be full-time or part-time.

You only pay for days worked, and billing occurs once a month. The price depends on the complexity of the task and the workload. We will provide this after a free assessment. What does the cost consist of →

Tell us about your situation. We will get back to you by tomorrow at the latest.

A free assessment takes about half an hour. After that, you will know what kind of expert suits your situation, when they can start, and what it will cost.

In a hurry? Call any of us directly.

Are you an interim manager yourself? Apply for the Cherry Pool →