The Queensland Rugby Union has announced the immediate departure of chief executive Jim Carmichael.

Carmichael revealed just two months ago he would be stepping down from the CEO role at the end of the season, but the QRU said on Friday he had parted ways with the organisation to pursue other professional opportunities.

Carmichael was CEO for seven years and will be replaced in the interim by QRU executives Daniel Herbert and Dave Hanham, with the process to find a full-time successor in its final stages.