Interim Managers in the Public Sector
What is a Public Sector Executive Interim Manager?
Essentially they’re individuals who:
- join a public sector organisation’s management team
- on a sort to medium-term interim basis;
- providing their services through their own limited company
An public sector executive interim manager is not a temporary employee on an intermediary’s payroll, or a management consultant.
Characteristics of Executive Interim Managers in the Public Sector
Like their fellows who work in the private sector, public sector executive interim managers are likely to have a background in senior management, have a track-record for delivery and be particularly “results orientated”. It is often the case that their careers will have been spent in a variety of organisations within different industries both private and public sector; so they will not only have a good understanding of the common denominators amongst organisations, but will equally respect their necessary differences. Their achievements will have often been characterised by leading significant changes.
Often a public sector executive interim manager will have some financial independence which enables them to survive whilst “on the beach” for extended periods of up to say, six months. Consequently most are older than 45, although there are signs that younger managers are choosing to become executive interim managers as a lifestyle / career choice, if they have sufficient financial independence.
A public sector executive interim manager also needs to recognise that a very real part of their role is associated with marketing themselves in between assignments; and a part that they have to be not only comfortable with, but good at. Maintaining networks amongst other former public sector colleagues is an important tool for minimising down-time between interim management jobs.
It is a pre-requisite that any interim management jobs, private or public sector are conducted through the executive interim managers’ own limited company supported by an appropriate professional indemnity insurance policy.
Pros and Cons of an Executive Interim Manager’s Lifestyle in the Public Sector
Some of the advantages of include:
- The variety of genuine opportunities for professional growth and development
- Flexibility and control over personal lifestyle
- Stability for the family - they don’t have to relocate every three to five years
- Executive interim manager’s roles can often maintain an objective distance from the politics that permanent public sector employees have to engage in.
- The financial rewards are good - depending upon what you’ve previously earned of course.
- The ability to pick and choose between different public sector interim management jobs or more time on the beach (if demand is sufficiently high)
Some of the disadvantages of an executive interim manager’s lifestyle in the public sector are:
- The termination periods for interim management contracts are usually short if they aren’t immediate.
- The uncertainty about where the next interim management jobs are coming from.
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