This training is ideal for higher education leaders charged with ensuring successful staffing transitions. Whether you are in an institutional-, unit-, or department-level position, you will benefit from this training if you are:  

• A leader responsible for decision making related to organizational staffing 
• A leader focused on succession planning and creating a better talent management culture 
• A hiring manager weighing the pros and cons of filling vacancies with interim appointments
• A human resources professional tasked with hiring and onboarding interim leaders
• A mid-level manager seeking a deeper understanding of how to position yourself for professional growth in times of organizational change 

1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Eastern

During this two-hour virtual training, Dr. Brian Williams, Chief of Staff at Roger Williams University, will lead us as we explore: 

Decision-Making Around Staffing 

• How does institutional context and the circumstances around the vacancy impact decision-making around interim roles? 
• What are the pros and cons of the various options for coping with a staffing vacancy? 
• What challenges and opportunities arise when appointing an interim leader? 

Preparing for a Successful Transition 

• What strategies can be implemented to prepare an interim leader for success? 
• What is the role of interim appointments within succession planning? 
• How can relationships with key stakeholders — such as direct reports, students, or board members — be nurtured in these times of transitional leadership?  

Small Group Scenario Activity 

• Building upon the best practices and key considerations we have learned so far, you will have the opportunity to determine how to best approach a fictional interim leadership appointment. Together with your peers, you will be tasked with curating a list of strategies to help ensure success for a new interim leader taking the helm amid a campus crisis.