How to Secure an Interim Management Role: What You Need to Know

Many highly skilled professionals are stepping away from permanent, full-time roles to explore interim and contract management opportunities. This shift is driven by a desire for flexibility, diverse challenges, and the ability to leverage specialised skills across different industries.

For organisations, hiring interim managers offers immediate access to leadership talent capable of addressing urgent business needs, leading transformations, or filling executive gaps. In sectors like manufacturing, construction, and finance, interim managers can make a significant impact in a relatively short time.

Here’s a look at why interim management is appealing for both professionals and organisations, followed by a detailed guide on how to secure these coveted roles.

Increasingly, senior leaders and highly skilled professionals are seeking more control over their careers by opting for interim management roles. This trend offers several benefits for experienced executives:

Flexibility: Interim roles allow executives to choose when and where they work, offering a better work-life balance and opportunities for using time for personal work, hobbies or time with family.

Diverse Challenges: Instead of working within a single company, interim managers can tackle new challenges across different organisations, industries, and projects. This helps keep their skills sharp and provides continual professional growth.

Focus on Impact: Interim managers are typically brought in to solve specific problems or lead critical initiatives. This allows them to focus on high-impact tasks without getting bogged down by internal politics or long-term operational concerns.

Compensation: Given the nature of their work, interim managers can often command higher daily or project-based rates compared to full-time salaried executives, particularly in industries experiencing talent shortages.

Access to Expertise: Interim managers bring with them specialised knowledge and experience, allowing businesses to tap into leadership talent they may not have internally.

Agility and Speed: In times of crisis or rapid growth, organisations can bring in interim executives to provide immediate leadership without going through lengthy recruitment processes.

Cost-Effectiveness: While interim managers may command higher daily rates, companies save on long-term costs like benefits, pensions, and bonuses associated with permanent roles.

To successfully transition into interim management, it’s essential to position yourself as a problem-solver who can deliver results quickly. Here’s how:

Build a Strong Personal Brand: Highlight your ability to take on short-term, high-impact roles. Your personal brand should showcase your expertise in leading transformation, crisis management, or specialised projects. A well-optimised LinkedIn profile and professional website can significantly boost your visibility.

Network Strategically: Networking is key to finding interim management roles. Connect with headhunters, interim management agencies (such as XpertReach), and other executives. Attend industry events where hiring managers may be looking for interim leadership. Keep in mind that referrals and recommendations are powerful in this market.

Tailor Your CV: An interim manager’s CV should differ from a traditional executive resume. Focus on achievements where you’ve delivered measurable results in a limited timeframe. Emphasise your flexibility, adaptability, and ability to step into new situations with minimal onboarding.

Work with Interim Management Agencies: Many companies prefer to work with agencies that specialise in placing interim managers. Registering with these agencies can give you access to exclusive opportunities that may not be advertised publicly.