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Are you looking to hire an Interim Marketing Manager or transition into the role yourself? These temporary but crucial positions ensure continuity in product design and development, driving innovation and seizing market opportunities. Whether you’re a client seeking talent or a professional exploring this sector, this guide covers key skills, responsibilities and contract considerations.

If you’re an employer looking to recruit an Interim Marketing Manager position, please see our marketing recruitment page. If you need to hire and would like our services, contact us today.

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What is an Interim Marketing Manager?

An Interim Marketing Manager, often reports into a Head of Marketing, oversees the strategic planning, development, and execution of marketing initiatives. An Interim Marketing Manager may hold a specialism including brand management, customer relationship management (CRM), paid social media, content creation, and others. 

An Interim Marketing Manager and their roles and responsibilities will vary from company to company, although typically they are tasked with analysing market trends, consumer behaviour, and competitive landscapes to inform decision making. They may also be tasked with collaborating closely with cross-functional teams like product development, sales, and creative departments in larger businesses. 

Interim Marketing Managers ensure alignment with overarching business objectives through the branding strategies, customer interactions and content, often managing online channels including the website and social media channels too. Once campaigns are live, Interim Marketing Managers continually monitor the performance of these initiatives, leveraging data analytics and insights to refine strategies, enhance customer engagement, and maximise return on investment. 

Interim Marketing Manager tasks

  1. Develop and execute digital marketing strategies tailored to the tech industry, including SEO optimisation, content marketing, and paid advertising campaigns to increase online visibility and drive traffic to the company website.
  2. Manage the company’s social media presence across platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram, creating engaging content, responding to inquiries, and fostering community engagement to enhance brand awareness and customer loyalty.
  3. Oversee the design of the company website, ensuring it reflects the brand identity, is user-friendly, and effectively converts visitors into leads or customers through clear calls-to-action and landing pages.
  4. Coordinate the creation of high-quality marketing collateral such as product brochures, whitepapers, and case studies to support sales efforts and educate potential customers about the company’s offerings.
  5. Analyse website traffic, social media metrics, and other key performance indicators using tools like Google Analytics and social media analytics platforms to track marketing effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.
  6. Collaborate with the sales team to develop targeted lead generation campaigns, including email marketing campaigns, webinars, and virtual events, to nurture prospects through the sales funnel and drive conversions.
  7. Stay abreast of industry trends and competitor activities through market research and competitive analysis, informing strategic decision-making and identifying new opportunities for growth.
  8. Manage relationships with external marketing agencies, freelancers, and contractors to execute marketing initiatives such as video production, influencer partnerships, or PR campaigns.
  9. Implement marketing automation tools and CRM systems to streamline processes, track customer interactions, and personalise marketing communications, improving efficiency and effectiveness.
  10. Present regular reports and updates to senior management on marketing performance, ROI, and key initiatives, demonstrating the impact of marketing efforts on business growth and profitability.

Interim Marketing Manager day rate

In today’s market, a typical Interim Marketing Manager’s day rate would be in the region of £350-£500. 

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Marketing salary 2025

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Interim Marketing Manager job description

We are seeking an experienced Interim Marketing Manager to lead our marketing function during a period of transition and change. You will be responsible for planning, delivering and evaluating marketing campaigns that support our organisational goals, increase brand awareness, and engage key audiences. This is a hands-on role suited to a confident communicator and strategic thinker with a track record of success in both digital and traditional marketing.

Key Responsibilities

  • Develop and implement short-term marketing plans aligned with business objectives.
  • Manage and deliver multi-channel marketing campaigns, including digital, print, email, social media and PR.
  • Work closely with internal teams to support key projects, services, or fundraising initiatives.
  • Lead on content creation and brand consistency across all platforms.
  • Monitor, analyse and report on the performance of marketing activities and make data-led recommendations.
  • Manage relationships with external suppliers, agencies, and freelancers.
  • Ensure marketing activity adheres to data protection and other relevant regulations.
  • Support or oversee the marketing team and act as a point of contact for senior management.

Person Specification

Essential:

  • Proven experience in a marketing leadership role, preferably within the charity, public, or SME sector.
  • Strong understanding of digital marketing tools and platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Meta Ads, CMS).
  • Excellent copywriting and editing skills.
  • Ability to manage multiple projects and meet tight deadlines.
  • Experience in managing budgets and external suppliers.
  • Confident stakeholder engagement and team leadership skills.

Desirable:

  • Experience in interim roles or contract-based work.
  • Knowledge of [sector-specific area, e.g. environmental/wildlife/education].
  • Familiarity with UK charity sector marketing and communications.

View a recent Marketing Manager job description here.

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What qualifications are needed?

A Marketing Manager typically requires a blend of education, qualifications, and experience to excel in the role. Most employers seek candidates with a bachelor’s degree in marketing, business administration, communications, or a related field, with some preferring individuals holding a master’s degree.  Professional certifications from the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) or HubSpot can also enhance a candidate’s credentials, particularly in areas such as digital marketing, analytics, or strategic marketing management.

Additionally, candidates should have several years of experience in marketing roles, with hands-on experience in campaign management, strategic planning, and team leadership. A diverse skill set encompassing strategic thinking, leadership, data analysis, creativity, communication, and project management is essential, along with proficiency in digital marketing channels, market research, and marketing automation tools.

Employers also look for a track record of success in driving marketing initiatives, achieving measurable results, and contributing to business growth, demonstrated through metrics such as campaign performance, ROI, and impact on key business metrics like revenue and market share.

Interim Marketing Manager skills

Strategic thinking: Marketing Managers must demonstrate strategic thinking by developing long-term marketing plans aligned with business goals. Metrics such as return on investment (ROI) and market share growth can measure the effectiveness of strategic decisions.

Leadership: Effective leadership skills are essential for guiding marketing teams and fostering collaboration. Team performance metrics, employee satisfaction scores, and project completion rates can gauge leadership effectiveness.

Data analysis: Marketing Managers should be proficient in analysing data to derive insights and make informed decisions. Metrics like conversion rates, customer acquisition costs, and customer lifetime value reflect the ability to leverage data for marketing optimisation.

Creativity: Creativity is vital for developing innovative marketing campaigns that capture audience attention. Metrics such as engagement rates, brand sentiment scores, and awards won for campaigns can measure creative effectiveness.

Communication: Strong communication skills are necessary for conveying marketing strategies and ideas effectively. Metrics like email open rates, social media engagement, and customer feedback can assess communication effectiveness.

Digital marketing: Marketing Managers need expertise in various digital marketing channels, including SEO, SEM, and social media marketing. Metrics such as website traffic, click-through rates, and cost per acquisition (CPA) can evaluate digital marketing proficiency.

Project management: Effective project management skills enable Marketing Managers to oversee multiple campaigns and initiatives simultaneously. Metrics like project timelines, budget adherence, and campaign performance against KPIs indicate project management capability.

Market research: Proficiency in market research allows Marketing Managers to understand target audiences and market trends. Metrics such as brand awareness, customer satisfaction scores, and competitor analysis findings can assess market research effectiveness.

Adaptability: Marketing Managers should demonstrate adaptability to evolving market dynamics and emerging technologies. Metrics like campaign agility, speed to market, and successful adaptation to industry changes can measure adaptability.

ROI focus: A focus on return on investment (ROI) ensures that marketing efforts generate tangible business results. Metrics such as marketing ROI, customer acquisition cost (CAC) to lifetime value (LTV) ratio, and revenue attributed to marketing campaigns measure ROI focus.

Content marketing: Proficiency in content marketing involves creating valuable and relevant content to attract and engage target audiences. Metrics such as content engagement rates, lead generation from content, and content conversion rates can gauge content marketing effectiveness.

Marketing automation: Mastery of marketing automation tools enables Marketing Managers to streamline processes and personalise communications at scale. Metrics like email open rates, click-through rates, and lead nurturing efficiency can measure the impact of marketing automation efforts.

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What results should an Interim Marketing Manager achieve?

An employer can expect the Marketing Manager to make significant contributions towards achieving key marketing objectives, resulting in measurable uplifts in various metrics related to brand awareness, lead generation, customer engagement, ROI, sales enablement, and market position.

  1. Increased brand awareness: The Marketing Manager should have implemented strategies that resulted in a measurable uplift in brand awareness metrics such as brand mentions, social media followers, and website traffic.
  2. Improved lead generation: Through effective lead generation campaigns and optimisation of conversion funnels, the Marketing Manager should have contributed to an increase in the number of leads generated and improved lead quality. This can be measured by metrics like lead-to-customer conversion rate and cost per lead.
  3. Enhanced customer engagement: The Marketing Manager should have implemented initiatives that resulted in higher levels of customer engagement, measured by metrics such as email open rates, click-through rates, and social media engagement rates.
  4. Higher ROI: By improving marketing campaigns and channels, the Marketing Manager should have achieved a measurable improvement in marketing return on investment (ROI). This can be measured by comparing marketing spend to revenue generated or by calculating specific campaign ROI.
  5. Improved sales enablement: The Marketing Manager should have collaborated closely with the sales team to provide them with effective marketing materials and support, resulting in an uplift in sales productivity and revenue. This can be measured by metrics such as sales conversion rates and average deal size.
  6. Enhanced market position: Through competitive analysis and market research, the Marketing Manager should have contributed to strengthening the company’s market position. This can be measured by metrics such as market share growth, customer satisfaction scores compared to competitors, and improvements in brand perception.

Interview questions

We’ve compiled a list of 95 marketing interview questions, often asked by employers at various interview stages.

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FAQs

What does an interim marketing manager typically do?
An interim marketing manager steps in temporarily to lead marketing strategy and execution. They often cover for staff leave, lead change during a transition, or drive urgent campaigns or transformations.
How long is an interim marketing contract usually?
Typically 3-9 months, but it can vary depending on project scope, maternity/paternity cover, or company needs. Some may extend or evolve into permanent roles.
What’s the difference between an interim and a freelance marketer?
An interim marketing manager typically steps into a leadership or team management role, often with P&L, strategy, and direct reports. Freelancers are usually hands-on specialists without team responsibility.
Do interim marketing managers need onboarding?
Yes, but far less than a permanent hire. Most interims are experienced at hitting the ground running and quickly embedding into new teams. A short but clear onboarding brief is essential.
What seniority level do interim marketing managers operate at?
They often work at mid to senior levels, from Marketing Manager up to Head of Marketing or even Fractional CMO, depending on business size and need.
How quickly can they start?
Good interims can often start within 1-2 weeks - much faster than a permanent hire. Many are actively looking between contracts or operate on a rolling availability basis.
How is an interim marketing manager paid?
They are usually paid on a day rate or monthly retainer, often via their limited company or umbrella company. Rates vary based on seniority, scope and urgency.
Can they help hire or mentor the permanent replacement?
Absolutely, many interims are brought in to stabilise and assess team needs, and can help recruit, mentor, or hand over to a permanent hire smoothly.
When should a company consider hiring one?
Companies often bring in an interim marketing manager during leadership gaps such as maternity leave or the unexpected departure of a senior team member. They’re also useful when hiring for a permanent role is taking longer than expected, or when the business is undergoing a major transition like a rebrand, product launch or shift in go-to-market strategy. Interims can also provide critical expertise during periods of accelerated growth or transformation.
What should we look for in a good interim hire?
The best interim marketing managers have proven experience in similar businesses or industries and bring a calm, adaptable mindset. They should be able to deliver outcomes quickly, communicate clearly with stakeholders at all levels, and work independently with minimal direction. Cultural fit and speed of integration are also key indicators of a strong interim.