Temporary Support Role Description & Support

Temporary Recruitment: Fast, Flexible Staffing for Business Support & HR

TEMPORARY SUPPORT ROLES

Hiring temporary staff shouldn’t be stressful.

Whether you’re covering unexpected absences, scaling up during busy periods or trialling a temp-to-perm hire, our experienced temporary recruitment team delivers speed, quality and discretion.

With a vast amount of experience recruiting temporary office support and HR professionals, we help businesses secure the right people, quickly and confidently.

This page is designed to guide you through the process of hiring temporary staff, from defining your brief to finding and onboarding the right individual.

Whether you’re looking for a one-day receptionist, a two-month HR contractor or an interim Executive Assistant, we’ll help you make informed decisions that align with your business needs.

What is an Executive Assistant?

An Executive Assistant (EA) plays a crucial role in supporting high-level managers and executives.

While traditionally defined as someone who assists with administrative tasks such as managing appointments, correspondence, and schedules, the Executive Assistant role has evolved significantly. In today’s fast-paced business world, hiring an Executive Assistant can be a pivotal decision that impacts the success of both the executive team and the entire organisation

Businesses that understand the value of their EAs see them as more than just administrative support. A skilled EA can manage complex tasks, oversee projects, and even represent their executive in meetings. If you’re looking to hire an Executive Assistant, it’s essential to recognise the depth of their role and how they can contribute strategically to your business.

Why Hire Temporary Staff?

Temporary recruitment offers flexibility, cost-efficiency and speed – all without compromising on quality. It’s an ideal solution for:

  • Holiday or sickness cover
  • Short-term project support
  • Maternity leave cover
  • Sudden workload spikes
  • Trialling a new hire on a temp-to-perm basis

Our clients regularly hire temporary:

  • Executive Assistants and Personal Assistants
  • Office Managers and Team Coordinators
  • Receptionists and Front of House staff
  • HR Administrators, Business Partners and Talent Specialists

A well-placed temp can maintain business continuity, uphold standards and contribute immediately without a lengthy onboarding process.

How We Work: The Temporary Recruitment Process

At Lily Shippen, we tailor our approach based on your timelines, structure and preferences.

Whether you need same-day cover or are hiring for a longer-term assignment, we make the process smooth and efficient.

We’ll ask a few key questions to get started:

  • What is the expected length of the assignment?
  • What are the core responsibilities of the role?
  • Where will the temp be based – office, remote or hybrid?
  • When would you like them to start?
  • What is your hourly rate budget?

Some clients prefer to skip CVs for short-term cover, while others opt for formal interviews – we’ll flex to suit your process.

Need help defining your requirements? Speak to our temporary recruitment team

Temporary Roles We Recruit

We recruit temporary staff into a wide range of industries and sectors, including:

  • Professional services
  • Financial services
  • Tech and start-ups
  • Private equity and investment firms
  • Property and real estate
  • Luxury and creative brands

Typical temp roles we fill include:

  • Temporary Receptionist
  • Interim Executive Assistant or PA
  • Temporary HR Administrator
  • Office Manager (maternity cover or projects)
  • Temp-to-perm support roles

We also place remote and hybrid temps, offering support regardless of your office model.

Temporary Recruitment in Manchester

We recruit top-tier temps across Greater Manchester, with strong relationships spanning Spinningfields, Ancoats and MediaCity. Whether you need a Temporary Office Manager for a fast-growing startup or interim HR support for a corporate team, we know the Manchester temp market inside out. Our network of local talent ensures we deliver the right support, quickly and professionally.

Temporary Recruitment in Cheshire

From private clients to corporate HQs, we provide temporary recruitment support across Cheshire, including Wilmslow, Alderley Edge and Knutsford. Whether you’re looking for a one-day PA or short-term receptionist cover, our Cheshire temp talent pool is pre-vetted and ready to go.

Temporary Recruitment in Leeds

We support businesses in Leeds and West Yorkshire with tailored temporary staffing solutions. From central Leeds law firms to fast-paced finance companies, we provide temp HR support, front-of-house staff and interim assistants who are matched to your business needs.

Remote and Hybrid Temporary Recruitment

We also support remote-first and hybrid businesses with high-quality temporary staff across the UK. Whether you’re looking for a virtual EA or remote HR admin support, we’ll match you with a candidate who is experienced, trustworthy and tech-savvy.

Why Work With Lily Shippen?

Our temporary recruitment service is designed for quality and pace. We combine a highly personalised approach with access to pre-vetted, immediately available professionals.

What sets us apart:

  • Every candidate is pre-screened and assessed by our team
  • We respond quickly – often placing temps within 24 hours
  • We match not just skills, but personality and cultural fit
  • We support onboarding and check-in throughout the assignment
  • 83% of our business comes from returning clients and referrals

Whether you need someone to hit the ground running for a week, or are looking to transition a temp into a permanent hire, we’re here to make it easy.

Temporary Recruitment FAQs

Temps offer flexibility and speed – ideal for covering short-term gaps, urgent projects or trialling a candidate before making a longer-term commitment.

We often place temps within 24 hours. For immediate cover, we move fast and match you with someone available to start right away.

Yes – for longer-term assignments, you can opt to interview. For urgent or one-day cover, we can send a fully briefed candidate immediately.

A temp-to-perm arrangement allows you to assess a candidate on the job before offering a permanent contract. It’s a low-risk way to hire.

We recruit temps in London, Manchester, Cheshire, Leeds, Birmingham, Edinburgh and other UK cities. We also support remote and hybrid roles.

We focus on business support and HR roles – including Executive Assistants, Receptionists, Office Managers, Team Assistants, and HR professionals at all levels.

Rates vary by role, location and experience. We’ll provide benchmarking advice based on current market trends and similar assignments.

Yes, we offer payroll services for our temporary placements to make the process as easy and compliant as possible.

Start Your Temporary Hiring Process

Looking for high-quality temporary support? Submit your brief or speak to our temp recruitment team today. Whether you’re hiring for a day, a month or a longer-term project, we’ll find the right fit fast.