What Is the Meaning of Interim Management?
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Key takeaways
- What: Interim management is leadership on a fixed term to deliver defined outcomes.
- Why/how: Use when a role is critical but hiring would take too long or the challenge needs niche experience; define scope, 90 day plan, KPIs, and exit.
- Where it helps: Turnaround, M&A integration, ERP or digital go lives, supply chain resets, and rapid scale ups.
Interim management means a seasoned leader steps in short term to deliver specific results and hand over. It helps when speed, expertise, or neutrality is needed. Compared with consulting, interim managers hold line authority; compared with search, they start now while a permanent hire is found.
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What is the meaning of interim management?
Interim management places a board level or near board leader on a fixed mandate to solve a defined problem and build capability before exit. Our work often pairs with business transformation services, change management, digital programs, and post merger integration.
What does an interim manager do?
- Own outcomes: Define targets, secure sponsorship, and run a weekly cadence.
- Lead teams: Direct staff and partners to hit milestones across workstreams.
- Fix and build: Stabilize cash, service, or delivery; then build the model for the next leader.
- Handover: Document playbooks and transition to the permanent hire.
| Finding | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Average interim assignment length | 9.5 months | Institute of Interim Management, 2024 |
| Principal role type is change or transformation | 39% | Institute of Interim Management, 2024 |
| Average daily rate in Europe (all functions) | €994 | DDIM European Insights, 2025 |
| Market utilization rate (share on assignment) | 65% | DDIM European Insights, 2025 |
| Interim CEO benefit noted in research discussion | Easier CEO search; continuity | Harvard Business Review |
We cite current surveys and research and refresh this table periodically.
When to use interim management services
- Executive exit or leave creates a leadership gap during live programs.
- M&A integration needs a hands on leader to align operations and culture.
- Turnaround and cash protection require rapid control and stakeholder confidence.
- Digital or ERP go live needs a seasoned sponsor for cutover and stabilization.
- Scale up periods outgrow current processes and roles.
Considering interim management solutions? We combine interim roles with business transformation and change support to hit targets and transfer know how.
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How interim management firms deliver in 90 days
- Week 1 to 2: Confirm scope, risks, KPIs, and reporting; stabilize urgent issues.
- Week 3 to 6: Execute the plan with the team; unblock dependencies; track weekly.
- Week 7 to 12: Lock process changes, measure gains, and prepare handover or extend.
For programs with technology change, pair the leader with digital delivery and adoption services to sustain results.
Interim manager vs consulting vs executive search
- Interim manager: Line authority, P&L or function ownership, accountable for outcomes.
- Consulting: Advisory and delivery squads; no formal line role unless seconded.
- Executive search: Finds the permanent leader; typical process can take months. An interim bridges the gap while search runs.
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FAQ
How long do interim managers stay?
Most mandates last months, not weeks. Recent market data shows an average of 9.5 months, with shorter crisis roles and longer transformations depending on scope.
Do interim management companies replace internal leaders?
No. They stabilize, deliver, and hand back. Good practice is a documented handover and coaching to the permanent leader.
Author and review
Prepared by the team that delivers interim leadership, transformation, and integration support. Work spans restructurings, M&A integrations, and digital change.
Sources
- Institute of Interim Management. Interim Management Survey 2024. https://iim.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/_pda/2024/07/IIM-Interim-Management-Survey-Report-2024_v15.0.pdf
- Institute of Interim Management. Guide to Interim Management. https://iim.org.uk/knowledge_hub/guide-to-interim-management/
- DDIM. European Interim Management 2025: Insights and Predictions. https://ddim.de/studie/european-interim-management-2025-insights-and-predictions/
- Harvard Business Review. What Happens When an Interim CEO Takes Over? https://hbr.org/2015/06/what-happens-when-an-interim-ceo-takes-over
- Boyden. Q1 2025: How to Get the Best Out of Interims. https://www.boyden.com/media/boyden-brief-q1-2025-how-to-get-the-best-out-of-interims-their-48525845/
- Robert Walters. European Interim Management Remuneration & Market Report 2024. https://www.robertwalters.de/en/insights/hiring-advice/e-guide/european-interim-management-remuneration-market-report.html
About the Author
Aykut Cakir, Senior Partner and Chief Executive Officer, has a demonstrated history in negotiations, business planning, business development. He has served as a Finance Director for gases & energy, pharmaceuticals, retail, FMCG, and automotive industries. He has collaborated closely with client leadership to co-create a customized operating model tailored to the unique needs of each project segment in the region. Aykut conducted workshops focused on developing effective communication strategies to ensure team alignment with new operating models and organizational changes.
