Remote Interim Leadership
in Admissions, Registrar and Financial Aid
Remote interim leadership in enrollment services adds value, and that added value can be even greater during this time of uncertainty in higher education. When a top enrollment services administrator leaves the institution, it can be a difficult time for the office and the institution. Ideally, the incumbent will give the institution sufficient time to evaluate what is needed for the future and to conduct a thorough search for that person’s successor. While the perfect scenario is having a new leader in place as the previous one steps down, this is the exception, rather than the rule. During these unprecedented times finding the right person for the position has become especially difficult. Even if the departing person gives considerable notice, and gets all things in order prior to leaving, very often the institution still is not in a position to bring on the new hire immediately as the incumbent departs. Given this situation, the institution finds itself in need of an interim to fill that top spot between the time the incumbent leaves and the new person takes over. In some situations that interim might be someone from within the office – a long time assistant or associate who has the confidence of the institutional leadership, the staff and the campus community to lead the office during this interim period. Often, though, such a person is not available and the institution must seek an interim from external sources. Finding the right person to fill this interim role can be difficult, however, as there are a limited number of experienced and highly qualified individuals willing to fill such a role. On the other hand, a firm such as focusEDU can provide this type of interim leadership, providing institutions with high level, experienced professionals in the field; professionals who enjoy the opportunity to assist schools during these transitional periods and who can bring fresh perspectives to these roles, and in these pandemic times focusEDU can provide this type of interim leadership remotely.
Remote Interim Leadership in Enrollment Management
When considering how to fill the gap between the incumbent’s departure and the new leader’s arrival there are several factors to consider.
- Think carefully about promoting someone from within the office to be an interim, especially if that person is a strong candidate for the permanent position. Sometimes this can be an excellent choice – maybe even a chance to take this person for a “test run,” to see how they handle leadership situations. However, this could set up a situation where a longtime associate or assistant assumes the job is theirs and could make for a very difficult situation if, as the search unfolds, that individual is not selected for the permanent position.
- Some institutions might feel that anyone can serve temporarily as an interim in enrollment services areas so they decide to move someone from outside that specific area into the position. While this might appear logical and cost effective in the short term, it isn’t necessarily the best decision for the long-term health of the office and of the institution. Positions such as Director of Financial Aid, Bursar, Director of Admissions, Dean/Director of Enrollment Management and Registrar are highly specialized fields that require very specific skills and a very specific knowledge base to do the job well. One of the goals of an interim is to be able to jump into the position right away and keep things moving forward. The current challenges enrollment services offices are facing, as circumstances evolve and change rapidly, require significant knowledge of the specific profession, as well as the experience to know how to make things happen quickly and with buy-in from the campus community. While someone from within the institution, but outside of the office, has institutional knowledge, they likely won’t have professional knowledge about the specific area and would take quite a while to learn those skills, especially if their support staff is small or inexperienced.
- Some institutions might feel that anyone can serve temporarily as an interim in enrollment services areas so they decide to move someone from outside that specific area into the position. While this might appear logical and cost effective in the short term, it isn’t necessarily the best decision for the long-term health of the office and of the institution. Positions such as Director of Financial Aid, Bursar, Director of Admissions, Dean/Director of Enrollment Management and Registrar are highly specialized fields that require very specific skills and a very specific knowledge base to do the job well. One of the goals of an interim is to be able to jump into the position right away and keep things moving forward. The current challenges enrollment services offices are facing, as circumstances evolve and change rapidly, require significant knowledge of the specific profession, as well as the experience to know how to make things happen quickly and with buy-in from the campus community. While someone from within the institution, but outside of the office, has institutional knowledge, they likely won’t have professional knowledge about the specific area and would take quite a while to learn those skills, especially if their support staff is small or inexperienced.
- Decide what you are looking for. Do you want a caretaker, organizer, change agent (including making difficult changes, paving the way for a smoother transition for the new, permanent, person), “Coach” for less experienced staff, etc.?
- If there are concerns about the office, an interim can serve as an impartial, objective observer/evaluator of policies, procedures and personnel – basically a consultant. With the right interim in place, that person is in a prime position to provide feedback on the status of the office and, in many cases, the type of person needed for the permanent position.
- The need for an interim often depends on the size of the office/institution – with a small office do you have someone internally with the experience and qualifications to provide the necessary leadership?
- While most positions in the enrollment services field are running at full speed all year long, the timing of the incumbent’s departure can also play a role in determining the need for an experienced interim candidate. Does the Director of Admissions leave mid-fall, right during the critical admissions cycle? Does the Registrar leave in mid-spring, immediately prior to the fall registration cycle and prior to clearance for May graduation? In these cases, having someone who can jump right in and keep things moving forward could have long-lasting positive effects, and make the new person’s transition much easier.
Factors to Consider When Hiring a Permanent Leader
- Don’t underestimate the time it will take to find a new professional and to get that person on board, especially during these uncertain times.
- Sometimes, especially when a long-time leader leaves a position, the institution might need a period of evaluation to determine what it needs in a new leader. This process should not be rushed just because you feel the need to get someone in place.
- A national search takes time for evaluating and advertising the position, screening candidates, interviewing finalists and getting the new hire in place. Hopefully, any high-quality, experienced, professional you select will feel the need to give sufficient notice to their current institution –