Is it unusual to put a temp contractor in a line management role? (HE Sector)

[myoosings]

I work in HE. Permanent appointments are usually advertised and selected via panel interviews. My department got a new director a year ago. He has hired contractors to do specific tasks, at first using panel interviews but more recently direct appointments of people he knows. His latest appointee has not been hired for a specific task - it is a Senior Management role with line management responsibility. The contract is for 24 months. Is this unusual? It seems to have raised a few eyebrows among staff. Presumably it is within the rules, whatever they might be.

No it’s not normal. I’ve never heard of this (25 years in HE). I’m amazed this got past HR. What area of work is this?

I have known of a contractor brought in to one University to oversee a specific project and given line management responsibilities to enable him to do that.

However, no way was he in a senior management position.

Never heard of anything like what you are suggesting OP.

A contractor doing line management - yes normal. Including SLT roles - there are plenty of interim HE COOs, CFOs, Registrars etc.

Appointing without a panel interview though - absolutely not normal.