Bridging Leadership in HR to Support a Smooth Transition at a Leading Independent School
The Brief
The Headmaster of a prestigious independent school was preparing to depart the organisation, with six months remaining in his tenure when the HR Director also announced their resignation.
Recognising the pivotal nature of this role within the school, the Headmaster believed it was essential for his successor to have the opportunity to select their preferred candidate for the Human Resources management position. He felt it was important for the incoming Headmaster to review the HR department and its functioning before placing a permanent candidate in the role. Future Leadership’s Interim Executive team was engaged to support the departing Headmaster in finding a high-performing Interim Human Resources Manager to lead the HR function for an initial 13-month period.
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
With tight timelines in place, the Interim Executive team quickly sourced the right individual to fulfil this critical bridging role.
The appointed Interim Executive brought over 15 years of experience as an HR Director and HR consultant across both government and private schools. Their deep understanding of the complexities of independent school operations enabled them to step into the role with immediate impact.
Emerging Capabilities
Recruiting
Skilled in managing recruitment processes to attract top talent, ensuring the school’s HR needs are met during transitional periods.
Performance Management
Proficient in implementing performance management systems that drive employee development and accountability.
Talent Management
Experienced in overseeing talent management strategies, fostering growth and retention within the organisation.
Employee Engagement
Adept at enhancing employee engagement, creating a positive and motivated work environment.
Employer Branding
Knowledgeable in employer branding, strengthening the school’s reputation as an attractive place to work.
The Outcome
Working closely with the new Headmaster, the Interim Executive contributed to maintaining a highly transparent culture of trust and positive relationships, fostering a strong sense of commitment among all employees.
The Interim HR Manager’s insight into the unique culture of independent schools, including the key elements that drive them, helped to smooth the transition of leadership and ensure continued stability within the HR function.
