Guide to Interim Management

in the Third Sector

Interim management in the third sector is on the increase.
Charities and not for profit organisations are finding it to be
an invaluable resource when managing a period of change
or to fill unexpected skills gaps. Whether you are simply
curious about the benefits and costs of employing interim
managers or are actively seeking one, this PrimeTimers
Guide to interim management in the third sector will give
you the answers you need.

There has never been a more important time to to ensure

that you have the right skills in your organisation. A
challenging market requires your most effective team - at
all times. As a successful social enterprise ourselves, we
understand that there are times when you will need some
short-term senior expertise and our mission is to supply
you with a carefully matched, highly experienced interim
manager within days of your request.

Brent Thomas, Director - PrimeTimers

What is interim management?

Its the recruitment of someone who:

you know has the experience to do the job

will become part of your team for a temporary period
is a doer not an adviser
is available at very short notice
is not on your payroll

Why would I want to use an interim manager?

You may need to:

fill a gap in recruitment whilst you wait for your new

employee to start
cover maternity or paternity leave
cover for sabbaticals or long term sickness absence
manage a period of change in your organisation
get a new project or idea off the ground
tender for a contract
set up a collaboration, partnership or joint venture
manage the re-organisation of your departments or regions
deal with downsizing, merging, integration or acquisitions
What do interim managers cost?

Interim managers are often regarded as expensive but comparisons

with full time employees are not straightforward and the difference
in total cost is often significantly closer than expected. Its
important to remember that you only pay your interim for the
actual days he or she works not for holidays or sickness - and
there are no added or hidden employment costs such as pensions
or redundancy. Of even greater importance, you will also be
getting exceptional value-for-money, as the interim manager will be
extremely well-qualified for the job in hand and more than happy to
pass on their skills and knowledge to your team for invaluable long
term benefit.

What are the benefits of using an interim manager?

You gain a wealth of knowledge and expertise to tackle a

problem where there is no suitable professional in-house
A new and objective point of view
Interims can concentrate on the job in hand as they wont be
distracted by day to day issues and office politics
The long lasting value of skills learnt a good interim
manager will ensure an effective transfer of skills to your
team
A cost-effective way of accessing experienced, high calibre
professionals who deliver a flexible recruitment option
What makes a good interim manager?

itae
ulum V g the jo
b
Curric of doin ments
e c o rd
ck r he key
ele
sful tra
A succes r managing t king
ed o ee
nce you ne u are s
Experie a ng e that yo
of c h
nicator
r a n d commu
e
ar think
Cle
a l cisive
Person De d
s ientate things
attrib u t e sults or getting
Re t e d t o
motiva
doer
A al statu
s
done w it h person
rne d
t conce
No
aptable
Ad
iented
ople or onal sk
ills
Pe l in terpers
n a
ceptio
Ex
mina
Sta eer cho
ice
e r im a s a car
int
An y
re n t securit
Cu r
e o f fi nancial
status degre
A
travel
illing to ely
W mediat
start im e need
s
Mobility b le t o
A ly t o meet th
ib
ork flex
le to w
Ab e job
Workin
g of th
ho u r s
Key tips on how to manage an interim manager

There is often confusion about how to manage interim managers

especially amongst the people with whom they will be working.
Here are some key tips to ensure that you get the best from your
Interim:

make sure their role is clearly explained to your team and to

the people who they will be managing
set them objectives and targets
keep them as informed as other members of your team
review their performance on a regular basis
drive them hard to deliver on their objectives and targets
make sure there is a handover before they leave

Do interim managers need to know the third sector?

As a social enterprise ourselves, we know that the third sector

operates in a different way to the private sector with its own
distinctive issues such as a consensus style of management,
complex governance, use of volunteers and flexible employment
opportunities to be considered. Different issues demand different
employee attributes and PrimeTimers fully understands the need
for interim managers to have the relevant experience in the third
sector.

Key attributes for a successful interim manager include flexibility

and the ability to adapt to any sector; to be a clear thinker
and communicator and to have a demonstrable track record of
managing the key elements of change that your organisation is
undergoing.
What makes PrimeTimers good at providing interim
professionals?

We know what makes a good interim manager for a

third sector organisation because we are an established
social enterprise and we have substantial private sector
experience

We do the hard work for you we will undertake the

entire selection process, finding well-matched candidates for
you to consider

We advise on all the necessary administration

including the legal agreement, insurance cover and expenses
- your contract is with us and the interim is our sub-
contractor

We only use interim managers who are passionate

about taking on interim positions and view it as a career
path, with real opportunities to utilise their skills to their best
advantage within the third sector

Our clients benefit from the ongoing support we

give our interim managers and from our other areas of
expertise
About PrimeTimers

PrimeTimers has been finding successful interim solutions for third

sector organisations since 2002 and our high profile client includes:

British Youth Council

Greenwich Leisure Ltd
Harrow Healthy Living Centre
Leap Confronting Conflict
London Development Agency
Speaking Up
Sporting Equals
Sue Ryder Care
Immigration Advisory Service

Contact Us

Main number: 0845 456 3885

General enquiries: enquire@primetimers.org.uk

PrimeTimers
1st Floor Downstream Building
1 London Bridge
London SE1 9BG
www.primetimers.org.uk