Appointing Interim Executive Directors to Stabilise Operations, Advance Safety Culture, and Deliver Strategic Transformation in an Emergency Services Organisation
The Brief
Future Leadership™ was engaged by an emergency services organisation to appoint two Interim Executive Directors—one for People, Culture and Safety, and another for Transformation.
This leadership support was needed following the passing of significant reform legislation, which transitioned the organisation to a fully voluntary workforce. Amidst internal changes and restructuring, the CEO required immediate stabilisation, with a focus on health and safety during COVID-19 and employee relations through the People and Culture function. Additionally, the transformation agenda required a comprehensive diagnostic and strategy roadmap to align with long-term organisational 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™ executed a targeted dual-appointment strategy to address the distinct requirements of the two roles while ensuring alignment in driving positive organisational change:
- Executive Director for People, Culture and Safety:
- Appointed a leader with extensive experience across FMCG and higher education sectors.
- Demonstrated success in embedding safety culture programs and building Continuous Improvement teams to sustainably transform workplace culture.
- Proven capability in navigating environments resistant to change and implementing operational improvements.
- Executive Director for Transformation:
- Appointed a senior leader with over 20 years of experience in business transformation.
- Brought a collaborative leadership style and strong advocacy for change.
- Successfully guided global transformations within siloed organisations by fostering cross-functional collaboration and aligning operational models.
The robust selection process ensured that both leaders were well-positioned to stabilise and transform the organisation.
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.
Culture and Engagement
Fosters a positive culture, creating a sense of belonging and inclusiveness within the organisation.
Adaptability and Resilience
Demonstrates positivity, curiosity, and the ability to pivot when confronted with change, pressure, adversity, and disruption.
Strategy and Purpose
Gathers and examines diverse data points, presenting well-reasoned insights and reframing challenges.
The Outcome
The appointed Interim Executive Directors delivered significant impact, meeting immediate priorities while laying the groundwork for sustainable change. Key achievements included:
- Stabilising Operations: Provided leadership during the restructuring period, ensuring continuity and support for the volunteer-based workforce.
- Advancing Safety Culture: Rolled out initiatives prioritising health and wellbeing, addressing challenges during COVID-19.
- Strategic Roadmap Development: Designed a diagnostic and strategy roadmap to guide the transformation agenda, aligning with organisational goals.
- Fostering Collaboration: Built trust and engagement by promoting a collaborative approach across stakeholders and teams.
Both interim appointments were extended due to the substantial contributions of the leaders, who not only delivered on their mandates but also supported the transition to a new CEO.
Key Statistics at a Glance:
- 2 Interim Leaders appointed to distinct but collaborative roles.
- Delivered a diagnostic and strategy roadmap for sustainable transformation.
- Successfully stabilised operations within a fully voluntary workforce model.
