When Are Interims Typically Used?
29 Apr, 20251-2 minutes
In this blog, you will learn:
- When interims are typically used within the public sector.
- The skills required to work as an interim professional in the public sector.
- Where the latest interim jobs are and how to apply for them.
Whether it’s thanks to their specialist skill set, expertise in regulation changes or ability to mitigate service delivery delays, there are a number of reasons why a public sector organisation may require an interim worker.
Expected to hit the ground running and deliver immediate results, interims are an extremely valuable asset to public sector organisations who may need to fill a skills gap or respond to an internal crisis.
In our latest blog, we’re exploring the circumstances in which a public sector organisation may typically rely on the skills of a professional from the interim market.
When are interims typically used within the public sector?
Due to their specialised skill set and need for little to no training, interim workers prove to be valuable assets to public sector teams across the UK.
Employed over a specific period of time, interim workers are often employed to help a company overcome a business challenge that requires additional expertise.
From filling a skills gap to meeting a tight deadline, there are many occasions in which an interim will be brought on board, including:
- To cover at leadership level.
- To provide specialist skills.
- To respond to unexpected crises.
- To navigate changing regulations.
- To mitigate service delivery delays.
To cover at leadership level
To successfully run a business within the public sector, a strong leadership team with a variety of skills and experience is required. Interim managers are often hired if a local authority needs to fill a temporary gap within their senior leadership team.
The employment of an interim at senior level will sometimes take place whilst a recruitment process is carried out to find a permanent employee.
Hiring an interim to cover at leadership level also has many cost benefits for a company as they come with no long-term commitments and therefore provide employers with a cost-effective measure in the short term.
Interims who are hired to cover at leadership level may be tasked with aiding senior teams who are underperforming, guiding a team through a complex transition or assisting a company in financial trouble. These responsibilities require the expertise of an interim worker who has previously led a team from a senior level and will be able to hit the ground running with no training required.
To provide specialist skills
Interim workers are often desired for their specialised skill set and it’s the expertise they possess that encourage many employers within the public sector to explore the interim market.
Specialist skills are generally required when a one-off project takes place. For many employers it makes more logistical and financial sense to employ an interim worker in these circumstances rather than a permanent employee. For example, a Data Migration Specialist might be onboarded in the short-term whilst a company carries out a system upgrade or transitions from one system to another.
The specialist skills of interim workers also come in handy when it comes to upskilling existing team members and filling in a temporary skills gap within an existing team. Should a public sector organisation be facing a tight deadline, bringing on an interim worker with a specialist skill set can help to ensure the deadline is met and that a high standard of work is maintained.
The specialised skills of interim workers can include strategic planning, marketing, regulatory knowledge and change management.
To respond to unexpected crises
Should a public sector employer be faced with an unexpected risk, such as a cybersecurity breach, financial instability or a PR issue, they may decide to hire an interim worker with a specialised skill set to overcome the challenge.
If resolving an issue is time sensitive, the employment of an interim worker saves a company needing to train up a new team member. Depending on the risk, wasting time doing so might be of detriment to the company and therefore interims who require no training are highly sought after in such circumstances.
The employment of an interim also mitigates a conflict of interest as they should work with independence and are unlikely to be emotionally involved in the crisis. This also makes them capable of making tough, unbiased decisions that a permanent member of staff may struggle to make.
To navigate changing regulations
Due to the nature of their work, interims often possess up-to-date knowledge and expertise around industry regulations. The ability to understand and adapt to frequently changing regulations is essential for an organisation in the public sector to ensure they are operating legally and adhering to regulations surrounding data protection, environmental policies and more.
Companies often require the guidance of an interim to navigate changing regulations and implement new measures, should this be required. Regulations are often complex and time-sensitive and hiring an interim, who already understands such regulations, can be highly beneficial to an organisation.
Interims are often seasoned professionals, who have witnessed many changes in regulations and often have a background in legal or compliance, making them a knowledgeable asset for a public sector organisation. They help to train staff, update internal processes and ensure a company does not face penalties for not adhering to important regulations.
To mitigate service delivery delays
Delays in service delivery can be costly for a public sector organisation and cause them reputational damage. Whether it’s a supply chain issue or a system failure, companies often depend on interim workers to fill gaps and mitigate the effects of a service delivery delay.
Interim recruitment specialist, John Shorrock, says “Interims offer immediate problem-solving skills and are able to implement process improvements in a timely fashion, making them valuable assets to local authorities struggling to manage their service delivery.”
Operational expertise are required to ensure the smooth running of an organisation and interims are able to step in to cover staff absences if the absence is going to be of detriment to service delivery.
Interims are essential for driving immediate results and their ability to ease bottlenecks and improve workflows are important for an organisation's overall reputation and customer satisfaction.
What skills are typically required to work as an interim in the public sector?
For a public sector organisation to get the most out of an interim worker and truly benefit from their short-term employment, there are a number of key skills an interim must possess. Policy and regulatory knowledge are essential for helping a public sector organisation navigate and adhere to changes in regulations. Problem-solving skills and initiative to find resolutions at speed are also crucial for helping a public sector organisation who is facing some sort of internal or external crises.
Strong communication skills are also sought after as interims must be able to join an organisation and hit the ground running. Being able to effectively communicate with existing team members will make the process of doing so much smoother and will help to build the strong relationships required for an organisation's success. Navigating complex internal teams without the need to ask lots of questions or take up the time of permanent staff is also crucial for an interim worker. They are often hired to make immediate change and a public sector organisation will need someone who can work independently, crack on with the job and apply their skills and experience to the overall success of the local authority.
Interim jobs
If you’re searching for your next interim job, why not take a look at the latest vacancies, or simply upload your CV to be notified when a relevant position becomes available.
Interim recruitment services
As interim recruitment specialists, we support local authorities nationwide with their temporary and interim recruitment needs.
We operate across a number of specialisms including Health & Social Care, Nursing, IT and Corporate Functions.
If you’re struggling to fill a vacancy, why not get in touch with Lead Consultant, John Shorrock on 01772 954200 to see how we can help?
Who is Spencer Clarke Group?
Established in 2017, we’re an award winning and progressive recruitment agency based in the heart of the North West. Our reputation is built on trust, expertise and an unwavering commitment to exceed expectations.
In 2024, we were named Recruitment Agency of the Year at the prestigious Recruiter Awards, an accolade we are extremely proud of.
We operate in two sectors:
In eleven specialisms:
Healthcare, Social Care & Nursing
Corporate Functions & Business Support
