Interim Executives

xNorth™ - Executive Leadership Solutions; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

xNorth is an executive leadership firm specializing in Interim Management, with services in Fractional Leadership, Advisory, and Accelerated Search. We expand our roster of accomplished executives to meet demand across general management, finance, HR, operations, supply chain, technology, and commercial leadership.

Assignments range from turnarounds to growth initiatives, acquisitions, or leadership transitions, and are aligned with the executive’s expertise and availability.

Qualifications

• Substantial senior leadership experience at CEO/President/COO/CTO level.
• Proven track record of delivering measurable business results.
• Experience guiding organizations through change, growth, or uncertainty.
• Strong financial and commercial judgment to support decisions.
• Ability to move quickly from assessment to execution with minimal onboarding.
• Experience building teams and establishing accountability.
• Effective communication with executives, boards, and stakeholders.
• Willingness to travel or work on-site per assignment.
• Previous interim executive experience is welcome, or transition into interim leadership.

Responsibilities

• Assume leadership for a business unit, function, or critical initiative.
• Assess situation quickly and identify top priorities across operations, finance, and commercial areas.
• Translate strategy into actionable plans with owners and timelines.
• Lead transformation, performance improvement, or growth initiatives.
• Maintain continuity and address urgent challenges during transitions.
• Support acquisitions, integrations, or carve-outs as needed.
• Strengthen teams, coordination, and accountability.
• Establish meaningful metrics and report progress to stakeholders.
• Collaborate with CEOs, boards, and investors; coordinate with xNorth partners.
• Prepare structured handover and sustain improvements after engagement.

Skills

Executive leadership

Results delivery

Change management

Financial acumen

Strategic execution

Team development

Stakeholder communication

Adaptable leadership

Travel-ready

Interim leadership

Job description

Interim Executives (General Management, Finance, HR, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology & Commercial Leadership)

Duration: Typically 6–12 months, depending on the assignment.

Start: Based on client requirements and executive availability

About xNorth

xNorth is an executive leadership firm specializing in Executive Interim Management, with complementary services in Fractional Leadership, Advisory, and Accelerated Search.

We support organizations through turnaround, transformation, growth, and leadership transitions by bringing in experienced executives who take ownership, lead teams, and deliver measurable results.

With established entities in Canada and the United States, xNorth combines direct involvement from partners who are former operators, a practical playbook designed to set each assignment up for success, and support from the xNorth executive community when needed.

Learn more at www.xnorthgroup.com.

Role Overview

We are expanding our roster of accomplished executives to meet increasing client demand for interim leadership across general management, finance, human resources, operations, manufacturing, supply chain, technology, sales, and marketing.

Our clients range from privately owned and private equity-backed businesses to publicly listed companies and not-for-profit organizations. Assignments may involve improving performance, leading a transformation, supporting growth or an acquisition, managing a turnaround, or providing leadership during an executive transition.

Each engagement is aligned with the executive’s expertise, availability, and the client’s priorities.

Scope of the Role

Depending on the assignment, responsibilities may include:

• Assume leadership responsibility for a business, division, function, or critical initiative.
• Assess the situation quickly and identify the most important operational, financial, commercial, and organizational priorities.
• Translate strategic objectives into a practical execution plan with clear actions, owners, and timelines.
• Lead transformation, performance improvement, turnaround, restructuring, or growth initiatives.
• Maintain business continuity and address urgent challenges during periods of transition.
• Support acquisitions, integrations, carve-outs, or the launch of new activities.
• Strengthen team capabilities, coordination, and accountability.
• Establish meaningful performance measures and report on progress, risks, and results.
• Work closely with CEOs, boards, investors, and other key stakeholders.
• Collaborate with xNorth partners throughout the engagement.
• Prepare a structured handover and establish improvements that can be sustained after the assignment.

Candidate Background

• Substantial senior leadership experience as a CEO, President, General Manager, CFO, COO, CHRO, CIO, CTO, CCO, SVP, VP, or equivalent.
• A demonstrated record of delivering measurable business results.
• Experience leading organizations or teams through change, growth, uncertainty, or operational challenges.
• Strong expertise in your functional area, supported by sound financial and commercial judgment.
• Ability to move quickly from assessment to execution and work effectively with limited onboarding.
• Experience building teams, developing capabilities, and establishing clear accountability.
• Effective communication with executive teams, boards, employees, and external partners.
• A practical, adaptable, and results-oriented leadership style.
• Willingness to travel or work on-site according to assignment requirements.
• Previous interim executive experience is welcome but not required. We also welcome established executives transitioning into an interim leadership career.

Why Work with xNorth?

• Direct involvement and support from xNorth partners who are former operators and understand the realities of executive leadership.
• A practical xNorth playbook designed to set you up for success, from onboarding and priority setting to execution and handover.
• Opportunities to apply your experience where it can make a significant business impact.
• Exposure to organizations across different sectors, sizes, and ownership structures.
• Engagements aligned with your expertise, interests, and availability.
• Connection to an experienced executive community and an international network.