Interim Executive Directors

Easing Leadership Transition

“Hiring an interim is a great way to allow an organization to take stock, assess its opportunities or needed changes.”
-Peg Hendricks, Executive Director, Delaware County Community Foundation

“We actually saved money with an interim executive director and the results make the investment even more valuable.”
-Eric Coleman, Board President, Montgomery County Association for the Blind

“…VIA now has a permanent Executive Director who steps into an agency that is in the best fiscal position we have been in years…We believe that the Board(s) decision to contract with the La Salle Nonprofit Center’s Interim Executive Director’s Program…was a decision that resulted in a better than expected return. We would not hesitate to recommend this program and process to other nonprofits.”
-Eugene Lennon, Chair; Sarah Mercer, VIA Events Chair; Lisa A Somers, Chair, VIA Foundation, VIA of the Lehigh Valley

When a nonprofit organization is in a leadership transition, hiring an Interim Executive Director can be the most positive and logical response its board can make.  Rather than hire a new permanent director or merely provide a place-keeper, an Interim Director fills the leadership gap and provides the objectivity and clear-thinking that paves the way for a smooth transition to permanent leadership when the organization is ready.  Utilizng the skills of The Nonprofit Center’s Interim Director Program can prevent the costly and damaging mistake of hiring a permanent director at the wrong time, under adverse circumstances.

The Nonprofit Center at La Salle University’s School of Business developed a pool of interim executives to function on a short-term basis (4-12 months) in the executive director role. These professionals bring hands-on experience as executive directors and help position nonprofits for permanent hires, while addressing organizational challenges.  Temporary leadership from an interim, with no vested interests, offers time and perspective for the organization to make its needed changes to better ensure the likelihood of success for the permanent executive.

An Interim Executive Director enables the board to get back to board business and is financially feasible by saving the cost of benefits, overhead and other employment-related expenses that would total an estimated 32% of salary.  In our clients’ experience, the savings that an Interim Executive Director provides in the positive changes they make within an organization more than cover the cost of their tenure.

A Nonprofit Center Interim Executive Director brings your organization:

  • Prior experience as a successful nonprofit Executive Director
  • Objectivity
  • Support from The Nonprofit Center with its nearly 30 years of experience in and resources on nonprofit leadership and governance
  • A special ability and commitment to working in an organization that may be in crisis or turmoil
  • Cost savings, including no benefits expenses

A Cross-Section of Interim Executive Director Clients:

  • Angel Flight East
  • Centro Nueva Creacion
  • Connecting Generations
  • Equality Advocates
  • Mother’s Home
  • Philadelphia Folksong Society
  • The Lighthouse
  • Wyck Historic House
  • Via, Lehigh Valley
  • Arc of Delaware County
  • West Chester Senior Center
  • Point Breeze Performing Arts Center

Resources:

Interim Executive Director Fact Sheet >

Case Studies:

How an Interim helps turn an organization around >
The Montgomery County Association for the Blind  >

“Interim director a smart choice for nonprofits in transition,” says Nonprofit Business Advisor >

“Daring to Lead 2011,” a national study of nonprofit executive leadership concludes, “33% of leaders (surveyed) followed a leader who was fired or forced to retire, indicating the frequency of misfires and expectations between boards and executive directors.”  An Interim Executive Director can prevent your organization from becoming one of these negative statistics. 

Contact The Nonprofit Center to find out how an Interim Executive Director might be the best fit for your organization.

Contact us if you are interested in becoming an Interim Executive Director and meet the following criteria:

  • have served as a nonprofit executive director for five years
  • are not seeking a full-time permanent position, but prefer the challenges of a temporary leadership role