Appointing an Interim CFO to Alleviate Operational Pressures on the Chief Executive and Provide a Clear Roadmap towards Fiscal Health and Sustainability.
The Brief
Facing ongoing financial challenges, a prominent organisation within the public health sector required a high-calibre interim Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to conduct a strategic review and drive financial sustainability.
Operating at a deficit, the organisation sought an overqualified, strategically focused executive who could not only stabilise finances but also redefine its financial direction. The interim CFO’s remit was to alleviate operational pressures on the Chief Executive and provide a clear roadmap towards fiscal health and sustainability.
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 leveraged its extensive interim talent network to respond promptly to the urgency of this brief. Within 48 hours of the initial client briefing, we presented a longlist of seven candidates, ultimately refining it to three outstanding finalists.
Each finalist possessed relevant sector experience and a proven track record of operating at scale, ensuring they were well-equipped to meet the organisation’s complex needs. The successful candidate commenced within 10 business days, providing a rapid and effective solution to an immediate requirement.
Emerging Capabilities
Financial Transformation
Proven experience leading financial transformation projects that drive efficiency in budgeting, forecasting, and reporting processes.
Strategic Alignment
Capacity to collaborate with senior leaders to align financial strategies with broader corporate objectives.
Futurology
The ability to anticipate and analyse future economic, market, and business trends, enabling proactive financial planning and strategic decision-making to position the organisation for long-term success and sustainability.
Financial Advisory
Capability to provide expert guidance on financial decisions, investment opportunities, risk management, and strategies to optimise the organisation’s financial performance and growth potential.
Financial Governance
Expertise in implementing and maintaining robust financial controls to ensure compliance and governance across entities.
The Outcome
The Interim CFO’s strategic insight was instrumental in establishing a comprehensive, forward-looking financial plan, which the organisation’s board adopted as the foundation for its long-term sustainability.
Client feedback highlighted the Interim CFO’s ability to drive immediate improvements and create lasting value, setting the organisation on a new trajectory for financial health.