Commit to Advancement with Interim Staff
Michelle Eisenberg, Consultant
August 2010

For many organizations, development and marketing are vital functions, yet they are often under-resourced and are among the first to feel cuts when budgets get tight. But short-changing these vital generators of contributed and earned revenue can be a risky move.

Whether you’re considering staff restructuring, dealing with a vacancy or taking on a new project, hiring interim staff on contract can be an effective way to get results without adding headcount and overhead. Here are a few reasons why:

• Interim staff can keep the rest of your team focused on their “regular jobs.” Schultz &Williams has provided interim staff to run capital campaigns, shepherd key special events, roll out intensive marketing initiatives or manage major communications projects.
  All of these are “above and beyond” projects that your organization’s staff would likely have trouble fitting into their regular schedules. Often, a part time contract is sufficient to address the responsibilities in question. Interim staff are unencumbered by other institutional concerns and are thus able to focus exclusively on their project.

• Maintaining activity helps you meet your budget. So much in development and marketing depends upon consistency: maintaining relationships and good communications, keeping up with mailings and ad schedules, etc.
  While it may be tempting to save the salary of the staff member who has just departed, you could potentially lose a lot more if your marketing or development department is left without strong leadership, particularly at the most senior level. In addition, mid-level and support staff will be less likely to jump ship if there is someone they can depend on at the helm.

• Interim staff help new permanent staff hit the ground running. As you conduct your search for a permanent replacement, candidates will find the position more attractive if they know they will be walking into a well-maintained shop. Once hired, the less time they need to spend addressing backlogs or putting out fires, the more effective they can be from Day One. Interim staff can also help to integrate and transition your new employees into the organization.

Whether they stay for only a few months, for a year or longer, there are many significant ways that interim staff can help an organization maintain its commitment to development and marketing.

Schultz & Williams is a national consulting firm based in Philadelphia; providing management, fundraising and marketing consulting for nonprofit organizations, along with full-service direct marketing, database and creative/production services.