Frequently asked questions about interim management

What is interim management?

Interim management involves the placement of a highly qualified senior manager within an organisation, for a fixed period of time. This highly skilled individual will work at the complete disposal of the company, taking on operational responsibility within the framework of a well defined mission whilst working as a self-employed person.

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Interim management assignments

Who uses interim managers?

Organisations increasingly appreciate the effectiveness and cost efficiencies of interim managers. There is a growing awareness that such executives can be used not just as a 'crisis source', but as a planned resource that does not tie the company to the commitments of employment contracts. Interim Managers can offer great strategic value in addition to tactical results.

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Who are interim managers?

Interim professionals have made a clear career choice to work in interim management and consider that working without security of tenure adds tenacity and focus to all they do. They are assigned to temporary positions in the management structure of an enterprise, either in a functional role, or to undertake a specific short-term project. Robert Walters has thoroughly checked the motivation, ability and success rate of each Interim Manager before putting them forward for an assignment.

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When can an interim manager be used?

Project and change management

In an increasingly competitive business environment, interim managers bring the specialist skills and experience to ensure the success of a huge range of projects:

acquisitions or sudden take-overs
relocation, expansion or consolidation of facilities (office or manufacturing)
start-up or close-down of a company, subsidiary or division
efficiency, productivity or profitability improvement needs
business process reengineering
crisis and transition management

As companies have delayered and downsized, the loss of a senior executive has greater impact than in the past. Interim managers come into their own at times of crisis, filling gaps caused by:

sudden loss of a senior executive through resignation or sickness
dismissals, both planned and unplanned
a lengthy recruitment process due to the lack of resources and talents in the market
maternity leave
a lack of specific competences
a lack of coaching & training

Advantages of using an interim manager

In what areas can an interim manager be used?

general management
finance and administration
manufacturing
supply chain
human resources management
sales & marketing
information technology
functional projects (business process re-engineering)

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Keen to find out more?

Julien is CFO at Luminus and, thanks to Robert Walters, discovered the benefits of working with an interim manager to guarantee business continuity.

A reorganization at her previous employer caused a turnaround in Nadia's life. Thanks to Robert Walters, she now realizes what she has been missing all this time.

In his next career move, Laurens was keen to focus on the strategic part within audit. Robert Walters found him exactly the job he had in mind.