Interim Management as a career option

Interim Management in Ireland is beginning to be seen as more than just a resting home for “failed” managers. Interim management is where a manager is brought into an organisation on a temporary basis to cover for an existing absent manager or for a specific project. Interim managers differ from management consultants in that they implement as distinct from recommending.

With specialist agencies now around to specifically provide interim managers there are now more opportunities than ever. I’ve have some really interesting assignments where I’ve represented one organisation who were hosting an event with the President of Ireland, participated in TV interviews as well as the more mundane walking the warehouse floor.
Contract rates are very variable ranging from €400 per day to €900.

To be successful as an interim manager you need to have

1. Significant senior management experience preferably reporting to the Board
2. Substantial expertise in a specific functional area- e.g. marketing, HR,
manufacturing, finance, etc
3. Ability to withstand temporary periods with no earnings
4. Strong interpersonal skills with good networking abilities
5. Self sufficiency
6. Excellent focus on results with a “can do” attitude
7. Ability to move on when job finished
8. Flexibility
9. Ability to work hands on (without a PA) and good PC skills
10. Ability to enjoy constant change

Most of the assignments I’ve worked on started off full time and then became part time. Often the part time work was on other different assignments. So this type of work often suits people who want to work in challenging jobs but not have constant long hours.
It will also suit people returning home from abroad or leaving long standing jobs and unsure what to do next. It can also kick start a career in freelance management consultancy.

Doing interim assignments enabled me to find the work that I really enjoy doing with a great work/life balance.
So if you have the qualities listed above, consider interim management as one of your next career building options.

Keywords
career builder
interim management
career advice
career guidance
work life balance

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