Is an interim director the best option at this time? If you're looking for a new director, you're usually facing a five to six month search process to recruit and bring on a new leader. This is a time of extra work for the board, anxiety on the staff, and potential concern by your funders. As experienced interim directors we bring calm, stable leadership at a time of uncertainty. We'll step in quickly and assess things. Then we'll focus on the systems, from financial oversight to board involvement and HR that you need to be in good shape for a good transition. We'll provide leadership for the staff, and help them be sure that your programs, the essential work of your organization, can continue.
At the time we engaged our interim ED, the board was frustrated, anxious and concerned with the direction we were heading. He immediately calmed the board, listened closely to the staff, reassured them during this sensitive time, and helped us plan to stabilize the organization. This included community contacts and relationships that were essential to our organization. It was an excellent choice to bring on a professional with nonprofit expertise and such communication and management skills.
Our interim director focused on specific ways that supported the board in doing its key work during this time of transition of leadership. This was happening at a time in which financially we were at an impasse regards to a key partnership. The interim quickly cut through the chaff to the heart of the problem and with full appreciation of the personalities involved, helped lead our organization to the realization of key options to resolve the dilemma, and led us through serious deliberations that had been lacking until we had this guidance and clarity of goals.
