What does an Interim Manager Do?
Published: • Updated:
Key takeaways
- What: Interim managers hold decision authority to deliver near-term results, then hand over with a plan.
- Why/how: Hiring a permanent leader often takes several months; interim management services keep momentum and reduce risk during transitions.
- Keywords: interim management companies, interim management solutions, interim managers.
An interim manager is a senior leader hired for a fixed term to stabilize operations, deliver projects, or lead change with full decision rights. Most assignments last 6-12 months. Use interim management services when a critical seat is open or a program needs hands-on leadership while permanent hiring proceeds.
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What does an interim manager do?
- Hold the role. Assume P&L or function ownership with day-to-day decisions and staff leadership. Definition aligned to the Institute of Interim Management. IIM guide
- Deliver outcomes. Stabilize cash, ship releases, lift service, or execute turnaround work; hand over with documentation and KPIs.
- Bridge gaps. Keep momentum while search runs; typical executive recruiting cycles can span 120-180 days for VP-level roles. reference
- Partner with advisors. Interim managers execute; consultants advise. Many programs use both.
How long does an interim manager last?
Market evidence points to a core band of 6-12 months. A European review reported an average of about 11.5 months, while academic work and practitioner sources frequently cite 6-12 months as common. Some assignments end sooner; complex transformations can extend.
What does an interim position mean?
An interim position is a temporary leadership assignment used for continuity or delivery over a limited period. Many HR policies describe interim roles as short-term, often around six months or less.
| Finding | Figure or term | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Interim management definition | Independent senior leader delivering solutions over a finite time span | Institute of Interim Management |
| Average assignment duration (Europe) | ~11.5 months | Forbes (2024) |
| Common assignment band | 6-12 months | Academic review (2022) |
| HR policy view of “interim position” | Temporary; often about 6 months or less | George Washington University HR |
| Executive hiring cycle (context for bridge) | 120-180 days for VP-level | Driven Insights (2025) |
Use these ranges to plan scope, milestones, and handover windows for interim management solutions.
When to use interim management services
- Leadership gap in finance, operations, technology, or supply chain while search runs.
- Turnaround, carve-out, or integration that requires hands-on authority.
- Program delivery where neutrality and speed matter more than permanence.
See how we approach this on our interim management services page and our explainer on the meaning of interim management.
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How interim management companies work
Interim management companies curate proven executives, match skills to scope, and structure fixed-term assignments with clear exit criteria. Many also provide coaching and governance so progress holds after handover. Explore our interim management solutions to see typical roles and timelines.
Sources
- Institute of Interim Management. Guide to Interim Management (definition). https://iim.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/IIM-Guide_to-Interim-Management_Oct20.pdf
- Institute of Interim Management. Knowledge Hub overview. https://iim.org.uk/knowledge_hub/guide-to-interim-management/
- Forbes. Interim Management in Europe: Making Great Progress (average duration ~11.5 months). https://www.forbes.com/sites/jonyounger/2024/04/01/interim-management-in-europe-making-great-progress/
- ScienceDirect. The interim manager – a catalyst for organizational learning? (durations often 6-12 months). https://www.sciencedirect.com/org/science/article/pii/S0969647422000118
- George Washington University HR. Assigning Interim Duties (definition and typical six-month window). https://hr.gwu.edu/assigning-interim-duties
- Driven Insights. Executive recruiting timelines (120-180 days for VP-level). https://www.driveninsights.com/small-business-finance-blog/the-average-cfo-salary-2025-27-key-cfo-interview-questions
- NMS Consulting. Interim Management Services. https://nmsconsulting.com/interim-management/
- NMS Consulting. What Is the Meaning of Interim Management. https://nmsconsulting.com/what-is-the-meaning-of-interim-management/
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.
