What is interim management? Our guide for interim managers

Interim management is the use of highly skilled, experienced professionals on a temporary basis, typically from middle management through to executive board level, to provide additional support or expertise during times of change or challenge.

Key roles include Directors and Assistant Directors, Heads of Service or Department, Operations Managers, Project and Programme Managers and specialist consultants.

Interim assignments vary greatly in their scope and content but typically, include the delivery of key projects, help with restructuring or change programmes and the provision of highly desired skills. Interims are also often called in to provide additional support when recruitment gaps or unplanned departures put additional strain on organisations.

Why use an interim manager?

People use interim managers for a number of reasons:

you may need somebody very quickly
you may have a specific task to be completed in a short time-frame
you may have a skills gap that you need to cover
or you may just benefit from a fresh external perspective.

Interim managers bring knowledge and expertise to a problem or situation where there is neither time nor suitable personnel in-house.

What makes a good Interim Manager?

Flexibility is key when considering a career in Interim Management, and the most successful Interim Managers are often the ones that are not restricted by rate or location. You must also be able to quickly fit in with a diverse range of cultures and working environments; whilst maintaining an open minded approach to organisational needs.

First class people skills are essential too – you must be able to influence and command respect, but in a way that doesn’t alienate existing employees. Your ability to grasp situations quickly, engage staff and make an immediate impact will stand you in extremely good stead.

Critically, you also need to be clear about the specific expertise that you can offer. A generalist Interim often finds it more difficult to find work than someone who is a proven specialist in their particular field, as organisations will usually expect Interim Managers to be able to demonstrate success in a similar role. The interim market is extremely competitive in areas, and you need to ensure that you are maximising your chances of gaining the most rewarding assignments.

Next: Why become an interim manager?

Latest articles on the Interim Channel

The UK Interim Management sector

A recent series of surveys by Ipsos\Mori for the Interim Managers’ Association has estimated that the UK interim management market is now worth an estimated £1bn in terms of the value of fees spent on interim managers.

Life as an interim manager

Malcolm Smith has been an interim manager for two and a half years. Here, he shares his experiences and advice for anyone thinking about moving into interim management.

Interim management has traditionally been seen as a reactive response to organisational failure. Increasingly, a new breed of interims are emerging – people who regard interim management as a career and have transferable leadership skills to work across sectors.

Your CV is an important sales document and your first, and often your only chance, to make a good impression. You also need to bear in mind that the CV of an Interim Manager does not necessarily follow the same rules as that of a CV that you might use to secure a permanent job.