When your sustainability leadership gap can't wait for a permanent hire, you need interim talent that hits the ground running. Unlike traditional recruitment agencies that focus on placements, we're sustainability practitioners first. Our interim leaders bring immediate credibility, sector-specific expertise, and the practical know-how to navigate complex ESG challenges whilst integrating seamlessly with your existing team.

Whether you're facing an unexpected departure, launching a critical compliance project, or need specialised expertise for a defined period, our interim sustainability leaders deliver results from day one without the premium fees and rigid contracts of conventional interim agencies.

Sustainability Expertise First, Recruitment Second

Traditional recruitment agencies place candidates. We deploy sustainability practitioners. Every interim leader in our network has been vetted by experienced sustainability professionals who understand the nuances of ESG strategy, regulatory compliance, and stakeholder management.

Our vetting includes technical competency assessment, sector-specific experience evaluation, and cultural fit review by sustainability experts, not recruitment consultants.

Rapid Deployment Without Compromise

Most interim placements take 4-6 weeks. We can deploy qualified interim sustainability leaders within 7-10 days because we maintain relationships with a curated network of available professionals rather than starting searches from scratch.

Our streamlined process:

  • Initial consultation within 24 hours

  • Candidate shortlist within 3-5 days

  • Interviews and selection within 7 days

  • Deployment and handover within 10 days

Flexible Commercial Arrangements

Unlike traditional interim agencies with inflexible fee structures, we offer transparent daily rates without lengthy minimum commitments, scalable arrangements that adjust based on project phases, and just one-month notice periods for maximum flexibility.

Why Choose PulseCSO for Interim Sustainability Leadership

Our Interim Sustainability Leadership Services

“PulseCSO swiftly provided the ESG expertise we needed, deploying specialists rapidly so we could place a senior sustainability leader and an ethical trading expert in two of our portfolio companies. They have been excellent to work with: professional, service-focused, and attuned to our needs. I highly recommend PulseCSO to any PE firm looking for flexible, high-impact sustainability support.”
— Jennie Galbraith, ESG Director, Inflexion Private Equity Partners LLP

  • Interim Chief Sustainability Officers and Directors who step into senior roles immediately, providing strategic oversight, board-level reporting, and stakeholder management during critical transition periods.

    Ideal for: CEO leadership changes, CSO departures, rapid scaling phases, investor due diligence periods

  • Interim leaders specifically selected to provide seamless coverage during parental leave periods, ensuring continuity of critical sustainability programmes without missing regulatory deadlines.

    Ideal for: Maternity/paternity leave coverage, planned sabbaticals, extended sick leave

  • Interim ESG and Compliance Managers with specific expertise in CSRD (including Double Materiality), SECR, TCFD, and emerging regulatory frameworks, capable of leading complex compliance projects from assessment through implementation.

    Ideal for: CSRD implementation projects, regulatory compliance catch-up, audit preparation

  • Interim Carbon and Net Zero Managers with technical expertise in carbon accounting, science-based targets, and decarbonisation strategy, able to lead specific initiatives with clear deliverables and timelines.

    Ideal for: Net zero strategy development, carbon footprint projects, supply chain sustainability initiatives

How We Differ from Traditional Recruitment Agencies

Traditional Agencies:

  • Generic recruitment consultants without sustainability expertise

  • Lengthy search processes starting from zero

  • High fees and rigid contract terms

  • Limited post-placement support

PulseCSO Approach:

  • Sustainability practitioners conducting the vetting

  • Pre-qualified network ready for immediate deployment

  • Flexible daily rates and transparent pricing

  • Ongoing support and integration assistance

The Connection to Our Fractional Model

Our interim service connects to our broader flexible talent approach. Interim leaders typically work full-time for a defined period, while fractional CSOs work part-time on an ongoing basis. Many interim placements naturally evolve into ongoing fractional arrangements, and our fractional CSOs can scale up to interim-level intensity when projects demand it.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • We can typically deploy qualified interim sustainability leaders within 7-10 days. Unlike traditional recruitment agencies that start searches from scratch, we maintain ongoing relationships with a curated network of available sustainability professionals. This rapid deployment is possible because our experts are pre-vetted by sustainability practitioners, not recruitment consultants.

  • Yes, parental leave coverage is one of our most requested services. We understand that sustainability roles often involve ongoing regulatory compliance and strategic projects that can't simply pause during parental leave. Our interim leaders are briefed specifically on continuity requirements and existing projects to ensure seamless coverage.

  • The key difference is expertise and approach. Traditional recruitment agencies are run by recruitment consultants who place candidates. We're sustainability practitioners who deploy experts. Our interim leaders are vetted by experienced ESG professionals who understand the technical requirements and practical challenges of sustainability roles.

  • We offer flexible daily rate arrangements without lengthy minimum commitments. Arrangements can scale based on project phases, we require only one-month notice periods, and provide transparent pricing with no hidden recruitment fees. Costs vary based on the seniority and specialisation required.

Why work with Pulse?

Apart from increasing sustainability performance…

    • As sustainability leaders ourselves, we understand your needs and can precisely match you with the right expert

    • Receive a curated shortlist of pre-vetted specialists, not an overwhelming pile of CVs

    • Access both our core bench of trusted experts and our extended network of specialists

    • Average time from initial conversation to full proposal is under a week

    • Streamlined process saves you time and resources

    • Rapid deployment of expertise when you need it most

    • Fractional leadership that adapts to your needs - no long-term cost burden of a full-time hire.

    • Scalable resources to match project scope, ensuring cost-effectiveness at every stage.

    • On-demand access to expert guidance, allowing you to pivot swiftly as business or regulatory landscapes evolve.

    • One-month cancellation notice for enhanced flexibility and peace of mind.

    • Non-dogmatic/ idealistic advice

    • Focus on value-add: grounded in business realities, balancing sustainability with bottom-line objectives.

    • Targeted support that aligns with your brand identity and resonates with key stakeholders.

    • Your expert is backed by our entire bench of sustainability leaders

    • Access to collective knowledge across sectors and specialties

    • Ongoing support and guidance from our wider team

    • Regular knowledge sharing and best practice updates

Connect With Us

Get in touch to find out more or for a free Discovery Session

dan@pulsecso.com