Relay Manager: key missions and roles for the company

A high-flying professional and seasoned leader, the “relay manager” intervenes in a context of managerial emergency, to fill the vacancy of a position or, in certain situations, to face a major challenge with strategic stakes.

Here is an overview of the missions and roles of this professional for the company.

 

The Relais manager: what is its role?

The “relay manager” refers to an interim manager which intervenes as part of a relay management mission. This outsourcing solution consists of using a professional external to the company to respond to a managerial emergency, such as the absence of an executive or manager, which is accompanied by major strategic and operational issues.

The duration of his intervention ranges from 6 to 18 months. The relay manager, with sectoral expertise, is involved in a specific function (DSI, HR Director, Executive Director, Sales Director, DAF, Marketing Director, Supply Chain Director… ). He has a long career of 15 to 25 years and key skills (emotional intelligence, adaptability, agility, sense of leadership, etc.), which allow them to demonstrateoperational excellence as soon as they arrive in the company.

This solution adapts to all sectors of activity, public and private, and to organizations of all sizes.

 

What are the missions of the relay manager?

Here are some examples of relay management missions :

• Ensure business continuity

When a manager or department manager is forced to be absent for any reason (prolonged sick leave, maternity leave, etc.) or has to leave his or her position (following retirement, resignation, dismissal, professional mobility, etc.), this can severely disrupt the proper functioning of the activity and operations. However, in a strategic function, recruitment processes are often complex and time-consuming.

To continue the activity serenely during this period of change, it is possible to call on a relay interim manager specialized in the function concerned. The latter takes the reins of the vacant position, fulfills the tasks inherent to the position, makes critical decisions, supervises the team and ensures the productivity of employees. Thanks to its Operational excellence from the moment of his arrival and his ability to unite employees, he allows the company to continue its activity normally, without disruption or interruption.

• Leading a transformation project

The relay manager can also intervene as a replacement for a management, to take over in themanagement of a large-scale transition project with strategic challenges: a digital transformation, a merger-acquisition, a restructuring, an organizational change, an internationalization project, etc.

Thanks to his proven know-how in change management and his unparalleled interpersonal skills, he is able to facilitate the transformation by implementing appropriate strategies, removing team resistance and minimizing disruption during this delicate stage.

• Supporting the appointment of a new manager

Another key role of the relay manager is to support the new employee when taking up a strategic position. He will be able to train the newcomer and assist him for the time necessary to secure the handover smoothly. The relay manager will also be able to clean up the field before the arrival of the new manager. Indeed, it is not uncommon for a relay management mission to take place in a difficult context following the departure of the predecessor.

Far from being a simple replacement, the relay manager is a real strategic player in ensuring operational continuity, the stability of the company, the commitment of the teams and the maintenance of performance in a period of change.

 

Are you looking for an interim manager for a relay management mission?

Thanks to our vast network of interim managers specialised in all types of sectors and functions, our interim management company WAYDEN identifies and assigns, within a very short time, a relay manager to respond to your problems, whatever they may be.