In today’s high-stakes, high-speed industrial environment, agility isn’t optional, it’s essential. For mid-to-senior professionals in the automotive and aerospace sectors, the pressure to deliver results while navigating economic shifts, technological disruption, and skill shortages is only intensifying.
Increasingly, organisations are turning to interim managers as a strategic solution, not just a stopgap. These professionals bring deep expertise, objectivity, and a proven ability to make an immediate impact. Whether bridging leadership gaps or driving critical transformation projects, interim talent is helping businesses move faster and smarter.
What Is Interim Management?
Interim management refers to the short-term placement of experienced leaders -typically for three to twelve months - to fulfil key operational roles. Unlike consultants, interim professionals are embedded within organisations, making real-time decisions with full accountability. Common positions include:
- Operations Director
- Engineering or Program Lead
- Head of Supply Chain or Quality
- Quality Manger
The appeal? These professionals aren’t here to learn, they’re here to lead.
Demand is accelerating
The data tells a compelling story:
- In 2025, 4.5% of all senior management roles in the UK automotive and aerospace industries are held by interim professionals.
- 15% of all interim placements are within automotive alone, highlighting how vital this approach has become.
- Engineering and Quality interim roles have increased by 3% and 9% respectively between 2023 and 2025.
What’s driving this? From AI integration and automation to post-COVID recovery and restructuring, companies need leaders who can hit the ground running and deliver transformation without the overhead of a permanent hire.
Why Senior Professionals should pay attention
Whether you're leading a function or steering business strategy, understanding the role of interim management is critical, either as a tactical lever for your team or a career pivot for yourself.
Key benefits to your business
- Speed & Flexibility
Interim leaders can be onboarded within days, not months, making them ideal for urgent challenges or project turnarounds. - Specialist Insights
These are not generalists, they bring decades of sector-specific knowledge, often honed across similar high-pressure environments. - Fresh Perspective, Unbiased Action
Because they sit outside of your internal politics, interim professionals are uniquely positioned to challenge legacy processes and implement change quickly. - High ROI When Done Right
Yes, day rates average £740, but when you need transformation, the cost of inaction is far greater.
Key considerations before you hire
As with any high-impact resource, interim leaders come with specific requirements:
- Clear Objectives: Define success upfront, timeline, metrics, deliverables.
- Internal Buy-In: Make sure stakeholders understand the interim’s role and support their mandate.
- Planned Exit Strategy: Document knowledge, processes, and decision trails to ensure continuity post-departure.
Real-world results
Automotive case study: Lean transformation at a tier 1 supplier
A Tier 1 manufacturer, under pressure from rising costs and quality issues, brought in an interim COO. Within 90 days, downtime dropped by 18% and £1.4M in annual savings were identified. Defect rates fell 22% within six months and permanent leadership inherited a stable, forward-focused operation.
Aerospace case study: Recovery of a delayed integration program
A leading OEM faced critical delays in integrating a next-gen aircraft platform. An interim Program Director realigned milestones, recovered the critical path in four months, and boosted on-time supplier delivery from 63% to 89%. Internal morale and stakeholder trust surged as a result.
Making interim work for you
If you're considering bringing in interim leadership, here’s how to maximise impact:
- Assess Your Gaps: Where are you short on leadership, knowledge, or execution bandwidth?
- Engage a Trusted Partner: Work with specialist agencies who understand your sector's nuances.
- Pilot First: Start with a defined, short-term assignment, evaluate results, then scale as needed.
A career move worth considering?
If you’re a seasoned professional looking for more autonomy, variety, and challenge, interim work may offer a fulfilling next chapter. A 2025 survey revealed that 51% of interim professionals would not return to a permanent role. They value the flexibility, compensation, and opportunity to drive real change. Download the full report to explore key insights, trends, and firsthand stories from interim leaders shaping the future of work - Here
Whether you’re managing a transformation, navigating compliance shifts, or recovering a stalled project, interim talent offers a proven route to results. In a sector where every decision affects safety, delivery, and innovation, access to agile leadership is more than a luxury, it’s a competitive necessity.
Want to learn how interim talent could support your current challenge or project? Get in touch with our Associate Director Rob Wigley at rob.wigley@technical-network.co.uk or call on 0121 450 5000.
