Interim Executive

Interim Head of Corporate Services Ensuring Operational Continuity in Agriculture

Date Posted:18 October 2024
Consultant:Adam Kyriacou

Appointing an Interim Head of Corporate Services to Drive Operational Efficiency and Financial Strategy for a Regional Agricultural Leader

Case Study Intro Image (4)

The Brief

A regional agricultural machinery supplier, based in Victoria, required an Interim Head of Corporate Services to cover an extended period of parental leave.

The company needed an experienced leader who could provide oversight across finance, operations, and corporate services. The candidate needed strong operational skills, financial strategy expertise, and experience working in regional environments where executive talent is scarce.

50%50%

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!

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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!

6%6%

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.

6%6%

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’s Interim Executive practice was engaged to find a leader capable of overseeing corporate services while maintaining the company’s financial and operational stability. After accessing an extensive executive network, a highly experienced leader with two decades of experience in finance, IT, and business operations was selected.

The interim leader integrated quickly into the business, ensuring smooth operations by:

  • Leading finance, IT, and sales administration teams to maintain continuity.
  • Overseeing financial operations, including budgeting, reporting, and cash flow management.
  • Implementing operational improvements to enhance efficiency across departments.
  • Leveraging technology to streamline processes and introducing performance management initiatives to foster high team performance.

Emerging Capabilities

01.

Financial Strategy

Expertise in leading financial operations and ensuring alignment with long-term strategic goals.

02.

Operations

Proven ability to streamline processes and improve overall operational efficiency across departments.

03.

Technology Integration

Skilled in leveraging technology to improve business operations and drive process efficiencies.

04.

Performance Management

Experience in introducing performance management frameworks to foster accountability and improve team productivity.

05.

Corporate Services

Expertise in managing and overseeing key functions across finance, IT, and operations to ensure smooth business continuity.

The Outcome

The interim Head of Corporate Services provided essential leadership and ensured the smooth running of operations during the transition. Key achievements included:

  • Enhanced financial oversight, ensuring accurate reporting and adherence to budget goals.
  • Improved operational efficiencies through streamlined processes, contributing to the company’s long-term growth strategy.
  • Strengthened team performance by fostering a high-performance culture through accountability and operational excellence.

By securing an interim executive with the right skills and experience in regional environments, the company successfully maintained business momentum during a period of transition.

Consultant

Adam Kyriacou

Managing Partner, Customer Experience View Profile
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