By Dave Davies, Consultant and Susan Lair, PhD, Consultant

Many schools are seeking a quality interim head of school, a seasoned former head of school with a record of effective leadership, a network of colleagues, a broad range of expertise, and the wisdom that only years working as a head of school can provide. Interim heads often are essential to maintaining continuity and momentum, providing a seamless leadership transition to the permanent head.

Interim heads of school can share new perspectives and procedures, strengthen community teamwork, validate existing practices, and prepare the school for new leadership. During this challenging and often treacherous time for schools, seasoned heads can still the waters, provide a respite, quiet fears, define leadership needs, alleviate the rush for an appropriate candidate, and share the wisdom gained during a career devoted to furthering independent schools.

Challenges to Hiring an Interim Head of School

Finding an interim head of school can be more challenging than finding a permanent head of school. Why?

A school finds itself without a head because of a late departure resulting from another job opportunity, a spouse's transfer to another area, or even death.
The timing is too late for a conventional search.
The board determines a change is necessary late in the school year and has parted with their head.
After a long-serving, successful leader, a board might decide the school community needs a reset or some distance between the new leader and their predecessor.

Each situation requires different skills and personality. As a result, interim postings are often limited, specific, and accelerated timelines.

The Benefits of Becoming an Interim Head of School

There are many opportunities and rewards of being an interim head of school:

The opportunity to draw on all of one's experiences to help a school through transition.
The excitement of quickly learning a new community and becoming part of its culture
Shepherding a school through a difficult period and preparing the school to welcome a new leader
The chance to live in a new and unique part of the country or even the world
“Keeping school” in a way that permanent heads cannot, without the pressure of long-term planning or major capital campaigns, for example.

Networking to Become an Interim Head

There are several ways to network for an interim head position. The Education Group’s (TEG) services include placing interim heads. TEG consults with the school on what they are looking for in the interim head, identifies appropriate candidates, advises on search logistics, and coaches the board and the interim head throughout the interim year. School leaders interested in being part of TEG’s interim head candidate database should upload their information here.

Traditional networking also is an effective avenue to locate an interim position. Many retiring heads know consultants at multiple search firms. Reach out to consultants you know, express interest in interim head leadership, and submit your resume, educational philosophy statement, and references.

Key Qualities for an Interim Head of School

Candidate flexibility regarding availability and the ability to relocate quickly are vital. While some planned interim positions are known a year in advance, most are quick and occur late in the school year. Temporary head searches often yield small and targeted candidate pools, with schools moving from application review, phone, or video interview, directly to on-campus finalist visits within a few weeks. Candidates must be prepared to make quick decisions.

The most successful interim heads:

Remember that their job is to serve as a temporary leader and have a plan for after their interim head service.
Ask questions about the current state of the school.
Determine if their skill set matches the school's needs.
Are confident the school is one for which they can be enthusiastic.
Work with the board and establish written goals to complete during their term.
Most importantly, make their top priorities the health of the school and a smooth transition to the permanent head.

The search committee should be very clear with candidates about what the immediate challenges and goals are for the interim head and the time frame, expectations, and resources to meet those challenges. Check out Independent School Management’s list of key responsibilities and benefits of an interim head.

Salary, Benefits, Length of Job, and Other Considerations

There is no firm rule for salaries and benefits for interim heads. Still, schools often learn that the extensive experience an interim head brings requires a higher salary than the previous head commanded.

Interim heads of school often have different expectations or requirements for benefits. Some will waive health insurance or retirement matches. Some may require housing or a housing allowance. For example, interim heads who have a permanent residence that they intend to keep may need only a furnished apartment near the school.

The length of employment also varies. Most schools ask for a one-year commitment with a soft commitment for two. Again, flexibility is the key. A candidate may not emerge during a school’s search for a permanent head, which means the board will engage the interim head of school for a second year.

Although expectations for the head's spouse may be different for an interim than for a permanent head, it is wise to clarify these expectations during the interview. If a school expects the head's spouse to be involved in the life of the school, knowing that and agreeing that this is possible is critical.

Becoming an interim head of school can be a rewarding career for a former head of school. Finding the right opportunity is key and using a search firm to help navigate the process is extremely helpful. Many of The Education Group’s consultants have served as permanent heads and as interim heads of school. They can guide you in this process.

Contact Dave Davies at dave@educationgroup.com or Susie Lair at slair@educationgroup.com to begin your interim head of school journey.

At The Education Group, we are experts in leading and guiding schools through searches for heads of school. Our coaches and consultants are former heads of schools or school leaders who tailor our searches, executive coaching, and consulting to your school’s needs and goals.