The UK jobs market is holding strong, despite the economic downturn and instability in other parts of the country. With employment rates relatively high, and pressure all the higher on businesses to compete with one another in terms of pay and benefits, now may be the best time to effect a career transition.
If you are someone with management experience, who is unsure of what next steps are available to you, interim management could well be the role for you. But what is it, and how do you know if you are ready?
What is an Interim Manager?
An interim manager is a temporary installment in a business where an existing management position is vacant. There are a number of reasons for which an interim manager may be necessary to a business; an existing manager may have vacated the role unexpectedly, or they may have encountered difficulties hiring for the role in the wake of an experienced manager leaving for another role or for retirement.
Interim management is a broad-ranging but highly skilled role, that requires a deep understanding of management processes and the adaptability to apply them to new businesses and situations. They require solid leadership skills and the ability to learn swiftly.
Are You Ready?
Readiness for interim management roles is difficult to measure. The needs of individual businesses can differ greatly, both in terms of size and specificity. There is an argument to be made that you should not pursue interim management roles if you do not already have management experience.
This is because interim management often involves the pulling-together of pre-existing processes and resources to continue business efficacy through a gulf in leadership – a role that many existing managers could struggle to fill without significant time to familiarise themselves. Positioning yourself well for such a role would require shoring up your skills and experience, and expanding and solidifying your professional network.
How Could You Become an Interim Manager?
There are various routes you can take to find new opportunities as an interim manager – but it is worth understanding from the start that these positions are temporary by nature and necessity. As such, you may want to focus your efforts on canvassing companies that offer interim management services to other businesses. Getting on-boarded by one of these businesses would increase your job security and remove the effort from finding such positions.
Otherwise, your existing professional network is key to winning interim management roles. Over the years, you will have fostered trusting professional relationships with other business leaders, giving you the opportunity to expound on those relationships and seek out roles within growing or changing businesses.
What are the Advantages of Becoming an Interim Manager?
If you find interim management opportunities with the right organizations, it can be a secure long-term career option – with constant opportunities to expose yourself to new ideas and environments. Due to the demanding requirements of the role, the financial compensation can be more than worthwhile, and the flexibility afforded by the career path is peerless within management roles.
