What are the differences between interim managers and management consultants?

Written by Luxury Homes Global

Interim short-term management services have become a popular amongst many businesses, as companies look to hire interim managers for key positions in their organization. Interim managers are highly specialized and fill a position for a short period of time to solve a specific business problem. For example, a construction firm may need a steel fabrication expert to assist in a specific process of a construction project. Though an interim manager is much like a management consultant, a management consultant’s role is quite different to an interim manager’s.

The core differences are:

Hiring – An interim manager is hired independently for their own personality, experience, and knowledge. While management consultants are hired on the basis of the merits of the agency.

Cost – Interim managers will try to reduce costs and increase the effectiveness of an organization. However, a management consultant will try to use the services currently on hand, to get more out of available resources.

Advise – Interim managers will advise on a situation and have the authority to implement it. While management consultants can advise on a situation, they do not have the authority to implement changes on their own.

Reporting structure – Interim managers report to the CEO or to the board of directors and not to a third party. However, management consultants will report to their agency and the agency will then inform the CEO or the board of directors.

Team – Interim managers will work with staff current on hand. While management consultants can bring in their own staff if they think it necessary.