Demand for interim managers skyrocket among Singapore finance leaders, says survey

9 in 10 will work with an interim manager in 2016.

Singapore finance teams are growing more and more reliant on interim managers to handle projects and transform business. In a recent survey, over 9 in 10 (92%) of CFOs and finance directors in Singapore saw they will work with an experienced interim manager in 2016.

According to a poll by recruitment consultancy firm Robert Half, the demand for financial interim managers is most robust for project management (53%) and business transformation (47%).

Over 4 in 10 (42%) finance leaders said business continuity initiatives are what prompts them to employ interim managers, while almost 4 in 10 (39%) cited management and leadership enhancement and over 2 in 10 (26%) cited change management.

"The days of interim consultants solely being viewed as crisis managers are over. They have become a catalyst to drive change and profitability. Many companies are hiring flexible resources who, as an external expert with an objective view, can re-evaluate the challenges and growing pains within the company, implement the required changes and provide alternate perspectives for growth and expansion,” noted David Jones.

Meanwhile, almost 8 in 10 (79%) finance leaders rate interim managers highly for their efficiency in achieving business goals, while over 8 in 10 (85%) laud interim managers for cost effectiveness. 

The poll, which is part of an international workplace study covering job and talent management trends, surveyed 100 CFOs and finance directors in Singapore.