Interim Search Leadership
Interim SEO leadership that keeps the program moving
When your head of SEO leaves or goes on leave, we step in as your interim lead, keep priorities on track and hand back a program in better shape.
- Cover in place within two weeks
- Projects keep shipping with SEO review
- A clean handoff to your next lead
- Average client tenure
- 3+ yearsAverage client tenure
- Brands served
- 20+Brands served
- Agencies served
- 5+Agencies served
- Of SEO experience
- 13 yearsOf SEO experience
Why it matters
An empty SEO seat costs more than it looks
When an SEO lead leaves, the program rarely stops all at once. It drifts. Releases ship without SEO review, the agency loses direction and reporting goes quiet. By the time a new hire starts, months of progress can be gone.
Interim Search Leadership closes that gap. We take the seat for an agreed period, run the day-to-day program and make the calls your team needs made. We also document what we find, so your next lead starts with a clear plan.
Best when
When interim cover makes sense
- Your head of SEO resigned. Hiring will take months, and the program can't wait.
- Someone is going on leave. Parental, medical or sabbatical leave needs cover from someone who can step in without a long ramp-up.
- A launch can't slip. A redesign, migration or product launch needs SEO leadership now.
- You're restructuring. The team is changing, and someone needs to hold the line in the meantime.
What you get
What interim leadership covers
- Program continuityThe roadmap, recurring work and reporting keep running.
- Release and migration oversightSEO review on launches, redesigns and anything that touches templates or URLs.
- Agency and vendor managementClear direction for partners, with their work reviewed against the plan.
- Leadership reportingRegular updates that keep stakeholders confident while the seat is open.
- Hiring supportJob description, candidate screening and interview help for the permanent role.
- Handoff planA written summary of the program, its priorities and its open issues for your new lead.
How it works
How it works
- Week 1Handover and triage
We take stock of work in flight, access and anything at risk.
- Weeks 2–4Stabilize
Priorities reset, partners briefed and reporting back on schedule.
- OngoingRun the program
Day-to-day leadership for the length of the engagement.
- Final weeksHand off
We onboard your new lead and walk them through the plan.
At a glance
What working together looks like
- Length
- Three to six months, or the length of the leave
- Time
- Scoped to the role you need covered
- Cadence
- Weekly team meetings, monthly leadership reporting
- Who you work with
- Max Cowan
- Works alongside
- Your team, agency and developers
- Investment
- Monthly retainer, starting at $5,000
Proof
Trusted with the program when it matters most
- Average client tenure
- 3+ yearsAverage client tenure
- Brands served
- 20+Brands served
- Agencies served
- 5+Agencies served
- Of SEO experience
- 13 yearsOf SEO experience
FAQ
Questions about Interim Search Leadership
How quickly can you start?
Usually within two weeks of signing. The first week is a structured handover, so we're useful quickly.
What's the difference between interim and fractional?
Interim covers a full role for a set period. Fractional is a lighter, ongoing commitment. Many teams move from interim to fractional once they hire.
Is this a contractor arrangement?
We work under a consulting agreement with Blue House Digital, LLC. Scope, hours and term are agreed up front, much like hiring an SEO contractor.
Can you help hire the permanent lead?
Yes. We can write the job description, screen candidates, join interviews and onboard the person you choose.
Will you work with our existing agency?
Yes. Keeping your agency on track is often the biggest part of the job.
Next step
Cover the gap before it costs you
Tell us when the seat opens and what's in flight. We'll tell you how we'd cover it.
- Tell us what's going onIt takes about two minutes.
- Talk with MaxA 30-minute call with Max to dig into the details.
- Get a clear next stepA short written recommendation, whether or not we work together.