The Rise of Portfolio Careers and Interim Executives with Donna Burr
- Author
- Renata Bernarde
- Published
- Mon 08 Sep 2025
- Episode Link
- https://www.renatabernarde.com/the-rise-of-portfolio-careers
Episode 307 - From the rise of portfolio careers to the growing importance of digital transformation, the 2025 Interim Executive Survey highlights how executives are choosing new ways of working.
In this week’s episode of The Job Hunting Podcast, I spoke with Donna Burr, Partner in Interim Executive Management at Watermark Search International, about the findings of their 15th Annual Interim Executive Survey. With 15 years of data and nearly 900 survey respondents in 2025, this report offers invaluable insight into how executives are choosing to work flexibly in interim roles, what organizations want from interim executives, and how career models are evolving. Our discussion revealed trends that are essential for anyone navigating today's and future job markets.
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Timestamps to guide your listening:
- 00:00 Introduction to Interim Executive Management
- 04:40 Understanding Portfolio Careers
- 07:42 Insights from the 15th Annual Survey
- 10:39 Adapting to Client Needs
- 13:37 Business Transformation Roles
- 16:39 Challenges in Interim Executive Roles
- 19:40 Self-Agency in Career Management
- 22:34 Networking and Building a Portfolio Career
- 25:39 Discipline and Consistency in Interim Work
- 27:32 Navigating the Executive Landscape
- 28:58 Gender Balance in Executive Roles
- 32:09 The Age Factor in Leadership
- 37:00 Global Perspectives on Interim Executives
- 41:07 Career Pathways Beyond C-Suite
- 43:57 AI as a Leadership Amplifier
- 51:11 Final Thoughts on Executive Transition
Links mentioned in this episode:
- Join the RB Lnkdn Club
- Link to the Report
- Episode 78 - Portfolio Career: What Is It, and Is It for You? - with Jacinta Whelan
- Episode 31 - Me Inc: Opting for short term contract work
- Episode 103 - How to make successful career transitions - with Donna Burr
- Episode 111 - Portfolio Career: An Alternative Path to C-Level Jobs, with Julia Cookson
- Episode 231 - A Harvard Expert Is Asking You to Reimagine Your Career and Your Relationship to Work
About the host, Renata Bernarde
Hello, I'm Renata Bernarde, the Host of The Job Hunting Podcast. I'm also an executive coach, job-hunting expert, and career strategist. I teach corporate, non-profit, and public professionals the steps and frameworks to help them find great jobs, change, and advance their careers with confidence and less stress.
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