The non-profit sector is finding it more and more effective to use interim executive directors during a period of transition. Usually, the trigger for a Board of Directors to hire an interim executive director is the current executive’s departure or retirement. An interim executive is able to keep the organization running, to calm nervous staff, funders and community stakeholders and to provide an assessment that can guide the Board in charting the organization’s future. This last step is critical because it allows the Board of Directors to hire an executive who meets the organization’s current and future needs.
Today, many organizations are considering mergers as a way to leverage shrinking resources while ensuring that stakeholder communities receive needed services. However, according to the Stanford Social Innovation Review, finding roles for senior staff can be a difficult and emotional part of merger negotiations. For smaller organizations, “senior staff” is the executive director, so a departure can provide Board the opportunity to seriously consider a merger. Where an exiting executive director, especially a founding or long-term director, can find it very challenging to guide a Board through the negotiations and compromises that a merger with another organization can require, an interim executive director, who is able to bring a more objective perspective to negotiations – and who has no expectations of continuing a position after the merger, is a smart way to avoid this hurdle.
Merging two organizations also means merging two Boards – each with different cultures, procedures and practices. An interim director’s experience working with diverse organizations and Boards in the non-profit sector can inform and guide the development of a single unified Board to best meet the mission of the new organization.
Interim executive directors have specific interest and experience in guiding organizations through transition – whether that means sustaining an organization or increasing services and impact through merger. The Interim Executive Network is a resource for non-profit organizations and Boards throughout metro DC interested in learning about and accessing interim executive leadership.
