Interim CEO

Cedar; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading SaaS company in London is seeking an Interim Chief Executive Officer for a critical 6 to 12 month role. The ideal candidate should possess extensive C-suite experience within SaaS, strong turnaround skills, and a track record of delivering successful exits. This role offers a lucrative day rate plus an exit bonus, with a focus on stabilising and driving value creation within the business. Hybrid working conditions apply.

Benefits

Significant exit bonus

Hybrid working with regular London presence

Highly visible mandate

Qualifications

• Proven experience in C suite or senior operational roles within SaaS.
• Strong track record in turnaround situations.
• Ability to deliver successful exits quickly.

Responsibilities

• Provide hands-on leadership to stabilise the business.
• Reinforce confidence across stakeholders.
• Maintain commercial discipline across functions.
• Strengthen operational metrics and performance visibility.
• Protect core revenue and manage churn risks.
• Prepare for due diligence and investor scrutiny.
• Retain and motivate key talent for continuity.

Skills

C suite or senior operator experience within SaaS

Strong turnaround credentials

Success delivering an exit on a compressed timeline

Deep GTM understanding

Strong customer retention instincts

Calm, pragmatic leadership style

Immediate or short notice availability

Job description

Cedar is currently partnered with a PE backed SaaS business, backed by a mid market investment firm, to secure an Interim Chief Executive Officer for an initial 6 to 12 month mandate. The role is offered on a day rate of £1200 to £1600 per day, with a significant exit bonus. Hybrid working.

The Company

This organisation is a scaling B2B SaaS business entering a decisive phase of its investment cycle. With investors targeting a rapid value realisation event, the company requires steady, execution‑led leadership to stabilise performance, maintain commercial momentum, and prepare the business for an accelerated exit process.

The Role

• Provide hands on leadership to stabilise the business and maintain organisational focus.
• Reinforce confidence across investors, customers, and the internal team.
• Maintain commercial discipline across sales, customer success, and product.
• Strengthen operating cadence, forecasting, and performance visibility.
• Protect core revenue and manage churn risk proactively.
• Assess strategic positioning and set a credible route and timetable for a near term exit.
• Prepare the organisation for due diligence, investor scrutiny, and an intensive exit process.
• Retain and motivate key talent to ensure continuity and delivery.

Your Profile

• Proven C suite or senior operator experience within SaaS.
• Strong turnaround credentials in complex or fast moving environments.
• Evidenced success delivering an exit on a compressed timeline (sub 12 months).
• Deep GTM understanding and strong customer retention instincts.
• A calm, pragmatic, execution focused leadership style.
• Immediate or short notice availability.

Compensation & Benefits

• Day rate: £1200 to £1600 per day plus a significant exit bonus
• Initial 6 to 12 month term
• Hybrid working with regular London presence
• Highly visible mandate focused on stabilisation, value creation, and rapid exit delivery
• Opportunity to lead a commercially driven turnaround with a defined outcome and timeframe