Insights
Temporary manager salary
Temporary managers bill day rates rather than draw a salary. EUR 800 to EUR 2,500 a day is the working band, and utilisation decides the year.
In short
A temporary manager is paid a day rate rather than a salary, typically EUR 800 to EUR 2,500 depending on seniority, sector and how serious the situation is. At a realistic six to nine billed months a year, that equates to roughly EUR 120,000 to EUR 300,000 in annual revenue before costs.
The bands, by seniority
- Functional manager mandate: EUR 800 to EUR 1,200 a day.
- Director or C-level function, for example CMO or COO: EUR 1,200 to EUR 2,000 a day.
- CEO, turnaround or crisis mandate: EUR 1,500 to EUR 3,500 a day.
- Part-time or fractional shape: usually converted into a monthly retainer of EUR 4,000 to EUR 15,000.
- Success fee where a defined outcome exists: commonly 10 to 30 percent of the total fee.
Why the annual comparison misleads
A day rate multiplied by 220 working days produces a number no temporary manager earns. Real utilisation is six to nine billed months, and out of the revenue come pension, insurance, holidays, business development and the gaps between mandates.
The right comparison for a company is different again. An employed executive carries social charges, notice, severance and the cost of a four to nine month search. A temporary manager costs more per day and less per problem solved.
What moves a rate up
Urgency, risk and proof. A board paying at the top of the band is buying someone who has done the specific thing before and can start this week.
As CMO of LeoVegas we ran a EUR 120M marketing budget and a team of 100+, delivered around EUR 50M of incremental revenue and lifted EBITA by 18 points, work that fed an exit to MGM north of EUR 607M. As managing director of the Italian market we took revenue from EUR 3M to EUR 18M in under a year.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the average temporary manager day rate?
Around EUR 1,200 to EUR 1,500 for a functional or director mandate in Italy, rising above EUR 2,000 for CEO level and crisis situations.
Do temporary managers get holiday pay or severance?
No. They contract as professionals, which is exactly why the day rate sits above the equivalent employee cost per day.
Is a temporary manager cheaper than hiring?
Per day, no. Per outcome, usually yes, because the mandate is time-boxed and there is no search cost, notice period or severance.
How is a temporary manager invoiced?
Monthly, against days actually worked, with a minimum commitment agreed at the start and any success fee tied to a written milestone.
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