Interim Management – Experienced leadership when you need it most.
Interim Management is a flexible leadership solution in which an experienced executive or specialist takes on a defined, time-limited assignment within an organisation. Interim Managers are typically brought in to fill leadership gaps, lead transformation, manage turnarounds or address other business-critical challenges.
An Interim Manager is an experienced leader or functional expert who quickly steps into an organisation to take responsibility, drive change and deliver results. Whether you need to fill a key leadership vacancy, lead a transformation, manage a turnaround or solve a specific business challenge, interim management gives you access to senior expertise without the long-term commitment of a permanent hire.
Temporary leadership. Immediate impact. Long-term value.
What is Interim Management?
Interim Management is a flexible leadership solution where an experienced executive or specialist takes on a time-limited assignment within an organisation.
Unlike a traditional consultant, an Interim Manager does not simply analyse a situation and provide recommendations. They become part of the organisation, take operational responsibility and lead the implementation of agreed actions.
Interim management can be used when an organisation needs to:
- Fill a critical leadership vacancy
- Lead a transformation or major change programme
- Turn around an underperforming business
- Strengthen an organisation during a period of transition
- Manage a business-critical project
- Provide specialist expertise that is not available internally
- Support an organisation through restructuring, M&A or expansion
The focus is on creating improvement, driving change and delivering measurable results.
When is Interim Management the right solution?
In a fast-moving business environment, organisations need to respond quickly to change, risk and opportunity. Recruiting a permanent executive can take months, while a traditional management consulting engagement may not provide the hands-on leadership required.
Interim Management offers a third option: experienced leadership combined with immediate execution.
An Interim Manager can step into the organisation at short notice, take responsibility from day one and focus entirely on the objectives of the assignment.
This makes Interim Management particularly valuable during:
- Leadership transitions and unexpected vacancies
- Business transformation
- Restructuring and turnarounds
- Digital transformation
- M&A and post-merger integration
- International expansion
- Major projects and programmes
- Performance improvement
- Organisational change
Interim Managers Drive Change That Lasts
Change is at the core of many Interim Management assignments.
Interim Managers are seasoned leaders with a proven track record from complex organisations in both the private and public sectors. They bring extensive operational and leadership experience and are used to entering challenging situations, establishing priorities and creating momentum quickly.
They combine a strategic mindset with operational focus.
An Interim Manager can assess the situation objectively, establish a clear direction, lead people through uncertainty and ensure that plans are translated into action.
The objective is not simply to manage the organisation during a temporary period. It is to leave the organisation stronger, more capable and better positioned for what comes next.
Strategic mindset. Operational focus. Lasting value.
The focus is on creating improvement and driving change
Let us know what your business challenges are!
Interim Managers Drive Change That Lasts
When organizations face transition, transformation, or urgent challenges, experienced leadership makes all the difference.
Interim Managers are seasoned leaders with a proven track record in both private and public sectors. They have chosen to step away from permanent roles to focus on time-limited assignments where they can create immediate impact and drive sustainable results.
Change is at the core of most interim assignments. Interim Managers thrive in complexity — entering with a clear goal, leading teams through uncertain times, and delivering both strategic direction and hands-on execution. They are motivated by progress, energized by responsibility, and committed to delivering measurable outcomes.
Strategic mindset. Operational focus. Lasting value.
Read more about Interim Managers here.
Interim Management – The Best of Both Worlds
Interim Management combines the experience and leadership accountability of an executive with the flexibility of an external resource.
You gain access to a senior leader who can:
- Step in quickly
- Take full operational responsibility
- Lead from within the organisation
- Bring an objective perspective
- Transfer knowledge to the existing organisation
- Focus exclusively on the assignment and its objectives
The result is maximum flexibility, hands-on execution and cost-efficient results – exactly when and where you need them.
Real leadership. Immediate impact. Strategic results.
3 examples of typical assignments within Interim Management
1. Filling a critical leadership gap
A CFO leaves the company unexpectedly and there is no permanent replacement in place.
An interim CFO is brought in to ensure continuity while the permanent recruitment process is underway. At the same time, the interim executive reviews processes and structures, identifies opportunities for improvement and ensures that a well-functioning finance organisation is handed over to the new CFO.
Read more about interim CFO here.
2. Turning around an underperforming business
A subsidiary is underperforming and reporting significant losses, but the underlying problems are unclear.
An interim CEO is appointed to assess the situation, provide the management team and board with clear information and take the necessary actions to improve performance.
The assignment may include a full turnaround of the business.
Read more about interim CEO here.
3. Leading a complex project
A company needs to implement a complex infrastructure project but lacks the required project leadership expertise.
An experienced interim project or programme manager with a track record of managing large, complex projects can take responsibility for the assignment. This may involve managing multiple stakeholders, strict budgets and deadlines while ensuring business continuity.
Read more about interim PMO here.
As an Interim Manager, you shift to a higher gear to quickly find solutions, create results and deliver value. You can rest after completion of the assignment!
Interim Management vs. Management Consulting
What is the difference between Interim Management and Management Consulting?
The key difference is responsibility for execution.
A management consultant primarily analyses the situation, provides advice and develops recommendations for what should be done.
An Interim Manager takes this one step further. They become part of the organisation, take responsibility for implementation and lead the agreed actions hands-on.
In short:
Consultants advise.
Interim Managers deliver.
| Interim Manager | Management Consultant | |
| Primary focus | Executive and drive change to achieve business results | Analysis, advice, solution design and programme/project support |
| Experience | Long-standing operational, leadership and industry/functional experience | Consulting methodologies, analysis and accumulated industry expertise |
| Role in the organisation | Act as part of the organisation and may have budget or P&L responsibility | Typically operates outside the organisational structure |
| Accountability | Direct responsibility for execution and outcomes | Responsible for recommendations and agreed consulting deliverables |
| Flexibility | Engaged for a defined period and specific business objective | Typically engaged for a defined consulting project |
What can an Interim Manager do?
Interim Management can address a wide range of business-critical challenges.
Typical Interim Management assignments include:
- CEO and CFO leadership
- Turnarounds and performance improvement
- Restructuring
- Digital transformation
- M&A and post-merger integration
- IPO preparation
- Building HR organisations
- Establishing structures and processes
- Leading major business-critical projects
- Supply chain transformation
- International expansion
- Relocation or closure of production sites
- Implementing sustainability and CSR strategies
Our focus is on challenges within company management positions and major initiatives or projects governed by company management.
Typical interim roles include CEO, CFO, Head of Business Control, Project Manager and Supply Chain Manager, as well as other senior leadership and functional positions.
Why choose Nordic Interim for Interim Management?
Since 2004, Nordic Interim has supported organisations across the Nordics and internationally with interim management solutions for complex and business-critical challenges.
We combine deep business insight with extensive experience in line management and executive search, giving our clients access to experienced leaders across a wide range of industries and functions.
Our approach covers the entire interim management process – from needs analysis and selection to execution and follow-up.
We work intensively to identify and hand-pick the most relevant candidates from our networks in Sweden and internationally. Typically, we present 2–3 carefully selected candidates with the specific experience required for the assignment.
The result is high quality, rapid implementation and sustainable impact.
How long does an Interim Management assignment last?
Most Interim Management assignments are linked to a major business initiative or a specific leadership need.
Assignments often last 6–12 months, although the duration depends on the situation, objectives and scope of the assignment. It is also common for assignments to be extended when the organisation continues to benefit from the interim manager’s expertise.
How quickly can an Interim Manager start?
One of the main advantages of interim management is speed.
When a business-critical situation arises, organisations often cannot afford to wait for a lengthy recruitment process. Nordic Interim works intensively to identify suitable candidates and can typically present a shortlist of highly relevant interim managers within a short timeframe.
The exact process and timing depend on the role, requirements and complexity of the assignment.
What does Interim Management cost?
The cost of hiring an Interim Manager depends on the role, the seniority and experience required, and the length and scope of the assignment.
Interim management can provide a cost-efficient alternative to traditional management consulting when an organisation needs senior leadership and hands-on execution.
We assess the situation and assignment together with the client and establish an appropriate fee range for attracting and engaging the right interim leader.
What are the benefits of Interim Management?
The key benefits of Interim Management include:
- Speed: Access experienced leadership when time is critical.
- Experience: Bring in a leader with relevant experience from similar situations.
- Flexibility: Engage senior expertise for exactly as long as it is needed.
- Objectivity: Gain an independent perspective on complex business challenges.
- Execution: Ensure that strategy is translated into action.
- Focus: Give the interim manager a clear mandate and defined objectives.
- Knowledge transfer: Strengthen the organisation by transferring expertise and capabilities.
Interim Management is ultimately about getting experienced leaders to make things happen when the organisation needs it most.
Looking for an Interim Manager?
Whether you need to fill a critical leadership gap, lead a transformation, turn around an underperforming business or deliver a major strategic initiative, Interim Management can provide the experienced leadership and execution capability you need.
Nordic Interim helps organisations find experienced interim executives and specialists across the Nordics and internationally.
Would you like to discuss whether Interim Management could be the right solution for your organisation?
Get insights from Interim Managers and clients here.
FAQ about Interim Management
What is Interim Management?
An Interim Manager is a person with long experience of leadership and of driving change in a complex environment. The interim has a background in leading line roles within commercial businesses or government-controlled businesses. The interim has chosen to step down from a permanent role to take on time-limited assignments instead. Interim Management gives the business access to a very experienced leader when their own resources are not sufficient in the event of a challenge, crisis, or vacancy.
Examples of typical assignments:
A CFO has left the company and there is no replacement in place. An interim CFO was hired to bridge the gap while recruiting a permanent CFO. As the interim was overqualified, he immediately reviewed processes and structures and handed over a well-functioning business to the new CFO.
A subsidiary performed poorly and showed red numbers. It was not known where the problem lay. The CEO was let go the same day. An interim CEO was engaged to analyse the company and provided clear and transparent information to the board. A turnaround was conducted.
Do you want to know more about what interim means, or are you interested in becoming an Interim Manager, or if it can be a solution for your company?
Contact us
What is the difference between an Interim Manager and a Management Consultant?
Executive Interim Management has one foot in the headhunting industry and the other foot in management consulting. We have listed the main differences below:
| Interim Manager | Management Consultant |
|---|---|
| Principal Focus | |
| To execute and drive change to achieve operating results | Analysis, advice, transfer of best practice, solution design, and/or driving programme/project management |
| Skills Base | |
| Basing execution primarily upon long-standing operating experience, leadership and industry/functional experience. In certain cases with some years of prior work as a consultant | Basing execution primarily upon methods, processes and analysis combined with industrial/functional best practices collected from the consulting company |
| Execution Mode | |
| Acts as a part of your organisation, often with budget and/or responsibility for P/L | Acts outside the organisational framework (often in programme/ project form) |
| Age | |
| 40+ depending on the industry and functional background | Often 25-35 years old |
| Loyalty | |
| Completely loyal to you as a client and to your goals. Reports to you like an employee. No incentive to sell you more Interim Managers | Loyal to you as a client but also to his/her consulting company |
When is Interim Management a good solution?
When you urgently need an experienced manager or specialist within a specific area. When a recruitment process takes too long and/or when classic Management Consulting does not give you the hands-on implementation you need. It can be anything from filling a critical gap, reorganising a business, leading a digital transformation, expansion, establishing a foreign company, to divesting companies. The basic need that you want to solve is to get help from one or more active leaders who operationally make things happen.
Read more about the benefits of hiring an Interim Manager here.
What services can an Interim Manager perform?
Examples of services that an Interim Manager can perform are turnarounds, IPOs, build an HR organisation, set structures and processes, lead one or several business-critical projects, set the strategy for, and implement a company’s CSR program, lead a digitalization project for a function, a company or a group, lead an M&A project, or move production to another country including the closing of the old site and building the new production organisation.
Read about our services here.
What roles can Interim Management fill?
Our main focus is to solve challenges in company management positions or major initiatives/projects governed by the company management. Over the years, we have also developed networks in certain specialist branches, as well as with people with Management Consultant background and who have extensive experience of running larger complex programs/projects. Examples of roles are: CEO, CFO, Head of Business Control, Project Manager, or Supply Chain Manager. See more examples of roles here.
Read more about Interim Managers here.
Does Nordic Interim’s processes differ from other suppliers’ processes?
Yes. We know that our clients need to find a solution quickly, and – perhaps more importantly – they do not want to have endless interviews or evaluate CVs themselves to find the right skills and person. We are not content with merely matching suitable and available candidates, we work intensively for about 1-2 weeks to hand-pick people in our networks in Sweden and internationally. In this way, after a very short time, we can propose 2-3 people with exactly the right relevant background for the assignment.
Read more about our processes here.
How long does a recruitment process take?
The process takes 2-4 weeks and includes interviews with us and with the client and references.
Read more about how we work here.
How do you handle sensitive information?
Confidentiality is a matter of honour, both towards our clients and Interim Managers. At the beginning of each collaboration, we agree with the customer on the desired level of confidentiality, and we often use an NDA (non-disclosure agreement) before talking to the candidates. In our experience, this benefits all parties.
Do I have any guarantees if I engage you?
If an assignment should not develop as expected (which happens extremely rarely), we have termination clauses. These are assignment-specific, but the majority have one month’s notice. Of course, we help our client to find a replacement with equally strong qualifications. Nordic Interim has liability insurance for all our consultants, and all our interims at a leading level must take out a debit register certificate. We can also have a complete background check done.
Can I hire the interim after a completed interim assignment?
In our agreements, transitional fees for direct employment of an Interim Manager are regulated. We have a great understanding that this can be a win-win situation for our customers and Interim Professionals.
How long is an assignment?
Most of our assignments are directly linked to a major initiative, and often the assignment extends over 6–12 months, in some cases significantly longer. It is common for the assignments to be extended.
Do I need to pay a start-up fee?
Yes, we charge a small fee at the start-up of an assignment.
What does an interim solution cost?
The cost of hiring an Interim Professional via Nordic Interim depends entirely on the role, situation and length and scope of the assignment. Briefly, it is considerably cheaper than hiring a Management Consultant. Together, we go through the challenges and the assignment, and calculate an approximate range of the fee level to be able to attract and engage the right person with the right calibre.