Interim management: is the gender gap closing?

Despite increased efforts to close the gender gap in interim management, recent data suggests we still have a long way to go.

In fact, the percentage of men in interim roles is almost 70% higher than the number of females taking on interim positions.

This imbalance is even more staggering in sectors such as finance where men make up 85% of the workforce.

Human resources is the only area where women dominate, but only just (60%).

Indeed, it is clear that gender disparity is still very much an issue in the current job market and something that needs addressing urgently.

While we did see an encouraging uptake in women taking on interim management roles, there has been a halt in the last year – leaving us at around 30%.

What can we do to promote change?

1.Flexibility 

Flexible roles play a significant role in promoting greater gender equality throughout the interim market. From location to care responsibilities, flexible working arrangements will attract more talent to apply. This is because many people have realised the importance of work-life balance (especially post-pandemic) and will be looking for a position which allows for this.

2. Inclusive hiring process 

In order to establish a diverse workplace, you need to ensure job descriptions are inclusive and interviews are impartial. It is also crucial to eliminate any internal bias from your hiring process. These steps should be implemented across all levels of seniority, with particular emphasis on executive roles.

What does unconscious bias look like?

• Hiring based on someone looks

• Choosing a candidate because they went to a more prestigious school than another candidate who is more experienced

• Personality hires

3. Working with a specialist recruitment agency 

Here at Imperium Resourcing, we work with a broad-ranging and talented pool of candidates. It is our aim to help local authorities find staffing solutions that meet their needs and bespoke requirements because we understand that the public sector is diverse, and therefore requires a diverse workforce. By working with a specialist recruitment agency, such as ourselves, your business can rest assured knowing we have years of industry experience and can help you make informed decisions during the hiring process.

Interested? Drop us an email via [email protected] to get started!