Interim Executive Director Santa Barbara

Thinking of Hiring an Interim Executive Director?

 What should your organization do if the executive director leaves to take another job or if the board decides it’s time to terminate the relationship? Some organizations quickly scramble to hire a new leader just to get someone at the helm. Unfortunately, this approach usually ends in less than positive results.  Forward-looking nonprofits today are finding great wisdom in hiring an interim leader to steep in while the board conducts a thorough search for the new executive director.

What is the Role of an Interim Executive Director?

An interim executive director can act as chief executive officer and on-site consultant.  S/he will oversee budgets, supervise staff, manage programs and improve operational systems – all with an in-depth sensitivity to the transition issues. An interim leader will work to prepare the organization for the new executive director—to help make sure that the new leader will be successful. An interim executive director will also be the public face of the group, support the board and staff, and oversee the comprehensive fundraising plan.

Contact Nonprofit Kinect today for your free consultation on how best to hire an interim executive director. Our goal is to leave your organization in a better place than when we came and to really prepare the new ED for success. We can help you prevent the costly and damaging mistake of hiring a permanent director at the wrong time, under adverse circumstances.

 What Benefits Can an Interim Executive Director Bring?

 An interim executive director can bring the knowledge of organizational dynamics, the operational skills and the art of management to the table. Benefits to hiring an interim executive director include:

• Efficient use of time. Hiring an interim ED gives the organization the space it needs to reflect, organize a search process and prepare for the new ED.
• Stabilization. An interim ED can help to provide stability to an organization in turmoil.
• Objectivity when most needed. The nonprofit wants a strong, clear, unbiased, internal operations analysis.
• Staff is already overworked. Oftentimes, one or more of the staff is applying for the position.
• Board/staff separation is already confused. This is especially true among small nonprofits where board volunteers may double as staff already.
• Objectivity. An outside person may be able to better handle staff evaluations and dismissals than peer staff or board members.
• Systems analysis. An interim ED can also act as an on-site consultant by examining and evaluating all internal operating systems such as financial, human resources, technology, board roles, and others. The resulting findings and recommendations can add a valuable dimension to the organization’s level of professionalism.