Acting Manager vs. Interim Manager: What Does Acting Mean in a Job Title?

So, you’re scrolling through LinkedIn or looking at an org chart and you see “Acting VP of Whatever” or “Acting CEO.” What’s the real deal there?

In a public company, “acting” or “interim” almost always says the same thing: “We’re in between permanent hires.” But look a little deeper and you may find some significant differences between one acting executive and another.

What is an Acting Manager?

An acting manager is someone who has been temporarily appointed to take over for a full-time employee who is absent for a short period. That might be someone on maternity leave or sick leave. During that time period, the acting manager is simply filling a gap and generally performs the daily functions of that regular position.

When the vacancy occurs in the C-suite of a public company, the acting manager role is sometimes assigned to a board member. Generally, that person serves as a temporary babysitter until the company finds and hires someone for a permanent position.

What is an Interim Executive?

An interim executive is far more than a babysitter. This is an experienced executive with a track record of success. Unlike an acting manager, interim executives do not just hold the fort; they actively build it.

That’s because true interim executives specialize in growing, transforming, and turning around companies.

What Does Acting CEO Mean?

An acting CEO is someone who takes on the top role for a short period. Often, this is an internal temporary promotion of an underling or a board member who will manage daily tasks until the new CEO is hired. Generally, the person in the acting position is considered to be an unlikely candidate for the permanent hire

Interestingly, public companies sometimes describe this acting person as the CEO — with no mention of the “acting” modifier. The goal is to avoid confusion around the temporary basis of the acting appointment because:

• the interim appointment contract is open-ended, or
• there is a possibility the temporary assignment could become permanent.

Why Choose an Interim Executive for a Temporary Management Position?

It can take several months or even longer for human resources or an executive search firm to identify the right full-time hire. Few companies can afford to drift along during that search.

Bringing in an experienced interim executive to lead the company through that transition allows the organization to continue moving forward.

Experienced interims can be on-site in as little as 48 hours, jumping in to take the helm and steer the ship through uncertainty. And, the company is not on the hook for benefits, severance pay, or a golden parachute. That’s because interims are hired as contractors to achieve fixed deliverables and goals.

Read More:

• 11 Things to Expect from an Interim Leader During Their First 30 Days on the Job
• When Does it Make Sense to Structure an Interim Gig as a Statement of Work Contract?

_______

Contact InterimExecs to learn more about how an interim executive from InterimExecs RED Team can help solve your biggest challenges, opportunities, and leadership gaps.