Interim CEO
Posted Today by Totaljobs
£1,300 Per day
Outside
Hybrid
West London (W1H)
Summary: The role of Interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO) involves leading a fashion brand/retailer through a critical turnaround phase, focusing on unlocking growth and driving operational efficiencies. The CEO will have full P&L accountability and will be responsible for executing a clear growth strategy across digital retail and customer acquisition. This position requires a decisive leader with a proven track record in the fashion industry, particularly in DTC channels. The role is based in London and offers a hybrid working arrangement.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead the shift from plateau to profitable growth; refresh the 12–18 month strategic plan.
- Drive improvements in DTC conversion, retention (CRM/Loyalty), and marketing efficiency (ROAS) across UK/EU/US markets.
- Streamline stock turn, reduce markdown dependency, and improve gross margin without compromising brand equity.
- Full accountability for £12m P&L, cash flow, and cost base; deliver swift EBITDA improvements.
- Provide decisive leadership to the senior team, instilling pace, accountability, and commercial rigour.
Key Skills:
- Proven track record as a CEO, Managing Director, or very senior Commercial Director within a fashion brand or fashion retailer.
- Experience leading a business with a turnover of £10m – £40m; understands the specific challenges of small-to-mid sized fashion houses.
- Deep expertise in DTC/e-commerce (80% of sales), including exposure to wholesale/retail stores.
- Experience trading across the UK, Europe, and US (logistics, returns, currency, marketing).
- Evidence of identifying inefficiencies, restructuring non-value costs, and reigniting growth within a short timeframe.
- Highly analytical and operationally hands-on.
- Commercially ruthless where needed, but brand-aware.
- Able to build immediate credibility with investors and internal teams.
Salary (Rate): £1300 daily
City: London
Country: United Kingdom
Working Arrangements: hybrid
IR35 Status: outside IR35
Seniority Level: Senior
Industry: Other
Interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
London (Hybrid / On-site as required)
3–6 months
£1,000 – £1,300 (Outside IR35 determination TBC)
The Company
A fashion brand/retailer with approximately £12m turnover, generating 75% of sales via Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) online channels across the UK, Europe, and the US. Following a period of plateau, the business requires a decisive turnaround leader to unlock growth, drive efficiencies, and build a scalable strategy for the future.
The Role
We are seeking an experienced Interim CEO with full P&L accountability to diagnose, stabilise, and re-accelerate the business. You will lead a rapid diagnostic of the operating model, identify immediate efficiencies, and execute a clear growth strategy across digital retail, inventory management, and customer acquisition.
Key Responsibilities
- Turnaround & Growth: Lead the shift from plateau to profitable growth; refresh the 12–18 month strategic plan.
- Performance Optimisation: Drive improvements in DTC conversion, retention (CRM/Loyalty), and marketing efficiency (ROAS) across UK/EU/US markets.
- Operational Efficiencies: Streamline stock turn, reduce markdown dependency, and improve gross margin without compromising brand equity.
- P&L Ownership: Full accountability for £12m P&L, cash flow, and cost base; deliver swift EBITDA improvements.
- Team & Culture: Provide decisive leadership to the senior team, instilling pace, accountability, and commercial rigour.
Essential Experience
- Industry: Proven track record as a CEO, Managing Director, or very senior Commercial Director within a fashion brand or fashion retailer.
- Scale: Led a business with a turnover of £10m – £40m; understands the specific challenges of small-to-mid sized fashion houses.
- Channel Mix: Deep expertise in DTC/e-commerce (80% of sales), including exposure to wholesale/retail stores.
- Markets: Experience trading across the UK, Europe, and US (logistics, returns, currency, marketing).
- Turnaround: Evidence of identifying inefficiencies, restructuring non-value costs, and reigniting growth within a short timeframe.
Personal Attributes
- Highly analytical and operationally hands-on.
- Commercially ruthless where needed, but brand-aware.
- Able to build immediate credibility with investors and internal teams.