Crisis management
A project is red-flagged, and your current team lacks the experience to recover it.
Immediate impact when timing is critical
A key leader has just resigned. A critical defence project is drifting. You need specific expertise to bid for a new contract, but you cannot justify a full-time salary.
In defence and engineering, timing is everything. Gaps in leadership or technical capability do not just cause delays. They cost you contracts. They damage reputation. They stall innovation.
You might be facing a sudden departure in the C-Suite. You might be scaling up and need a Finance Director, but you aren’t ready for a full-time hire. You might need a heavy-hitter to turn around a failing programme.
But traditional recruitment is too slow. You cannot wait six months for a notice period to end. You need someone who can walk through the door next week and make an impact immediately.
The problem isn’t just the empty seat. It is the momentum you are losing every day it remains empty. To fix it, you don’t need a permanent hire yet. You need an interim and fractional search specialist.
Does this sound like your current situation?
We provide proven leaders when timing is critical
At The Thrive Team, we deploy interim and fractional leaders who turn up, take charge, and deliver. We cover the full spectrum of our permanent search services, Executive, Technical, and Corporate, on a flexible basis.
We distinguish between two key solutions:
Interim management: Full-time, fixed-term professionals brought in to fill a gap, manage a crisis, or deliver a specific project.
Fractional leadership: Experienced leaders (Directors/C-Suite) who work with you on a retainer basis (e.g., 2 days a week or 5 days a month) to provide high-level strategy at a fraction of the cost.
We specialise in finding interim talent for:
High-level strategy, low overhead
You are scaling fast. You need big-ticket experience to secure funding or professionalise your operations, but you are not ready for a full Board of Directors.
We provide Fractional Leaders. We find you a Fractional CTO to guide your technology roadmap. We find a Fractional HR Director to set up your people function. You get the strategic weight of an experienced leader for a monthly fee that fits your burn rate.
Managing change and risk
You are going through a restructure or delivering a high-stakes defence programme. You need a safe pair of hands. You need someone who has delivered complex projects for the MoD or Primes before.
We provide Interim Managers. We parachute in leaders who have the clearance, the sector knowledge, and the resilience to stabilise the ship. They don’t need a handover. They assess the situation and start delivering results from day one.
Our curated network
We know the difference between a systems engineer and a software developer. We understand the nuances of safety-critical environments and defence standards. You won’t have to explain the job description three times.
Vetted for impact
An interim needs to be overqualified for the role to hit the ground running. We verify their track record of delivery in defence and engineering environments. We ensure they have the “consultant mindset” required to step in and add value immediately.
Clear deliverables
We help you define exactly what “good” looks like for the assignment. Whether it is delivering a specific milestone or holding the fort for six months, we ensure the objectives are clear so you get a return on your investment.
Beyond interim
Looking for a permanent fix?
Ready to hire for the long term, our Executive Search or Talent Acquisition services will find the talent you’re looking for.
Need to retain knowledge?
Our Training and Coaching services ensure your interim passes on their skills to your permanent team before they leave.
Frequently asked questions about interim and fractional search
What is the difference between Interim and Fractional?
Interim is typically full-time for a set period (e.g., 5 days a week for 6 months) to fill a gap or run a project. Fractional is part-time but long-term (e.g., 1 day a week indefinitely) to provide ongoing strategic leadership without a full-time salary.
How quickly can you place someone?
Speed is the primary benefit of this service. Because we work with a network of professional contractors and interims, we can often have a shortlist to you within 48 hours and someone in the role within a week, depending on clearance requirements.
Do you cover all roles?
Yes. We provide interim and fractional support across all our service lines. This includes Executive Search (Directors), Talent Acquisition (Engineering leads), and Corporate Services (HR, Finance, Procurement).
Can an interim become permanent?
Yes. This is often a great way to “try before you buy.” We frequently see clients bring in an interim to manage a crisis, only to realise they are indispensable and offer them a permanent role. We can structure the contract to allow for this transition.
How do you handle IR35?
We are experienced in navigating IR35 legislation. We can support you in determining the status of the role. We work with interims who are set up to work compliantly, whether inside or outside IR35, ensuring you are protected from risk.
Need immediate impact?
We can find the talent you need to bridge the gap.
