Interim WHS Manager, to oversee the organisation’s health and safety obligations while the provider assessed and defined the role’s longer-term requirements.
The Brief
Following the sudden departure of the incumbent WHS Manager, the Director of People and Culture at a Melbourne-based aged care provider engaged the interim executive team to urgently support their immediate workforce health and safety needs.
The appointment of an Interim WHS Manager provided experienced leadership to oversee the organisation’s health and safety obligations while the provider assessed and defined the role’s longer-term requirements.
The ideal candidate’s requirements included:
- A deep understanding of contemporary best practice in workplace health and safety management, including relevant legislative and compliance requirements.
- A practical, solutions-focused approach with the ability to balance operational needs with the safety and well-being of staff, clients, and residents.
- Experience working within community-oriented or values-driven service environments, with an appreciation for the sensitivities of aged care and residential settings.
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
Having partnered with the organisation on multiple occasions, the interim executive brought a deep understanding of its values, culture, and operational needs.
Future Leadership implemented a rapid and targeted search process:
- Day to Shortlist: Within one day, six qualified candidates were shortlisted.
- Candidate Pool: Engaged 20 candidates from our interim associate list.
- Final Shortlist: Narrowed down to three exceptional candidates, all with significant experience in quality and safety.
- Each candidate was assessed on their track record of leading WHS in similar environments, their capacity to navigate real-world challenges in human services settings, and their ability to foster a safety culture that supports both compliance and compassionate care.
Emerging Capabilities
Strategy and Purpose
Develops and leads strategy for the function/organisation, taking a broad and long-term perspective. Understands and considers context. Communicates and gains buy-in to the function/organisation goals, direction and vision, promoting change initiatives.
Culture and Engagement
Fosters a positive culture, creating a sense of belonging and inclusiveness. Creates an environment that encourages diverse perspectives and facilitates a psychologically safe environment.
Sustainability, Ethics and Integrity
Prioritises the environment in making decisions and leading others. Operates with integrity and aligns self to a high standard of social, cultural and professional standards of conduct. . Adheres to moral and ethical principles. Draws on values to inform behaviour.
Communication and Influence
Articulates messages with clarity and impact to build understanding, inspire action, persuade others and enable information exchange. Considers the audience and draws on different styles to create impact.
Organisational Capability
Understands the organisation's future requirements and identifies opportunities to build potential across the organisation. Seeks opportunities to develop other people and takes appropriate action to address skill gaps in others.
The Outcome
The appointment of the Interim WHS Manager brought over 14 years of experience in leading and overseeing health, compliance and advisory roles across several sectors, including healthcare and higher education.
Future Leadership remains a trusted partner in delivering exceptional interim talent for mission-critical roles.
