Deploying an Interim Director to Address Payroll Challenges and Drive Operational Excellence for a Prestigious Regional University
The Brief
A leading regional university identified significant potential workforce pay shortfalls, prompting an urgent need for an experienced leader to guide a comprehensive payroll and process transformation.
The organisation required an interim executive with expertise in HR transformation and industrial relations to oversee critical process remediation and ensure compliance across its complex workforce. This individual was expected to provide immediate stabilisation while aligning the payroll and HR functions with the university’s long-term operational goals.
Increase in General Management Skills
According to the American Management Association, only 14% of businesses consider themselves “well prepared” to handle a sudden loss in senior management. Add to that the fact that it takes at least four months to fill an executive role, and an Interim Executive experienced in operations makes a lot of sense!
Increase in Customer Experience Skills
These days experience is everything. What truly makes for a good experience? Speed. Convenience. Consistency. Friendliness. And human touch. Our Interim Executives deliver a great experience while improving your customer experience!
Increase in People & Culture Skills
Organisations are constantly changing as they respond to internal and external pressures. Continual process improvement can enable team engagement and lead to growth. Interim Executives bring fresh eyes and effective industry best practice to the execution.
Increase in Data Analytics
Complex challenges require critical thinking and in the age of information-overwhelm it is imperative to have analytical minds at the table. These skills range across finance, data science, systems and more. An Interim Executive can be the right person to optimise your inputs to maximise your output.
The Process
Future Leadership™ activated its extensive interim executive network to identify a highly qualified candidate with a proven track record in HR transformation and process improvement. Key steps included:
- Targeted Candidate Search: Identified individuals with expertise in payroll and HR process remediation in large, complex organisations.
- Rapid Shortlisting: Presented a shortlist of two experienced candidates within 48 hours.
- Thorough Assessment: Conducted detailed assessments of candidates’ ability to navigate the university’s industrial relations complexities and implement sustainable solutions.
This strategic approach ensured the placement of a candidate capable of meeting the university’s immediate and long-term needs.
Emerging Capabilities
Governance and Compliance
Establishes, champions, and measures the effectiveness of an organisation’s regulatory and reporting systems. Identifies and evaluates risks and develops strategies to mitigate risk.
Stakeholder Relations
Establishes rapport with stakeholders, builds and sustains trusted and collaborative relationships. Identifies and draws on relevant and diverse perspectives and integrates them to support productive interactions.
Critical Thinking
Gathers and examines different data points, testing for assumptions and gaps in logic. Reframes problems and presents well-reasoned insights considering diverse perspectives.
Adaptability and Resilience
Demonstrates positivity, curiosity, and the ability to pivot when confronted with change, pressure, adversity, and disruption.
Organisational Capability
Understands the organisation's future requirements and identifies opportunities to build potential across the organisation.
The Outcome
The appointed Interim Director delivered immediate improvements in the payroll function, addressing compliance issues and restoring trust within the workforce. Key achievements included:
- Process Remediation: Overhauled payroll processes to ensure accuracy and compliance with employment regulations.
- Workforce Stabilisation: Resolved key industrial relations challenges, improving employee trust and satisfaction.
- HR Transformation: Introduced scalable systems and frameworks, positioning the university for sustainable operational success.
Feedback from university leadership highlighted the Interim Director’s exceptional impact, setting a strong foundation for long-term improvements across the HR and payroll functions.
