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Interim Managing Director / CEO

An interim managing director is appointed when companies are suddenly confronted with management bottlenecks, urgent changes or acute crises and need experienced support quickly. It not only bridges vacancies, but also helps to specifically solve existing problems and get the company back on the road to success. With our team of former managing directors, we provide quick, competent and uncomplicated support.

Your contact at IQX:

Reinhold Trummer

+43 676 677 30 85
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Are you looking for an interim managing director?

An interim managing director comes into play when companies find themselves in a critical phase in which quick and decisive leadership is required. These can be situations in which an unexpected departure at the top poses a challenge for the company, a profound restructuring becomes necessary or an acute crisis has to be managed.

With his many years of experience and his unbiased view, he quickly analyzes the situation, identifies weak points and develops pragmatic solutions. His job is to quickly provide clarity and initiate the necessary measures to get the company back on track. He doesn't have time for long training or slow decision-making processes - it's about quickly setting priorities in order to specifically address the existing problems.

The interim managing director remains free of internal entanglements and personal loyalties, which allows him to make clear decisions and implement measures that were often postponed in the long term. His strength lies in his ability to adapt quickly and react flexibly - be it in negotiations with banks, in communication with employees or in dealing with external partners.

For the duration of his assignment, he serves as an anchor and guide for the company, ensures stability and lays the foundation for sustainable success, without becoming a permanent part of the company structure himself. In the end, he hands over a consolidated, strengthened company into the hands of new, permanent management and moves on - ready for the next challenge.

Our experienced team will support you in filling this critical corporate function quickly and competently. 

Main tasks of an interim managing director

guide

The interim managing director brings immediate stability to challenging situations, takes responsibility and ensures that day-to-day business continues to run smoothly - even in turbulent times.

Implement strategy

He ensures that analyzes and concepts become concrete results by not only developing the necessary strategy, but also emphatically putting it into practice.

Manage crises

When the company comes under pressure, he makes quick, effective decisions to solve acute problems and navigate the company safely through the crisis.

Design transition

He ensures that the company emerges stronger from the transition phase, carefully prepares the successor and accompanies the change until permanent leadership takes over.

Required social skills of an interim managing director

Leadership skills

As an interim managing director, it is crucial to have strong leadership skills. This role requires not only the ability to lead a team, but also the ability to gain the trust and respect of employees. Leadership skills include a clear vision and the ability to communicate that vision effectively. An interim general manager must be able to set goals, share those goals with the team, and provide common direction. It is important to keep both short-term and long-term goals in mind and to steer the team through uncertain times. A good leader recognizes the strengths and weaknesses of their employees and knows how best to use them to maximize efficiency and productivity. In addition, the interim managing director should be able to encourage employees and spur them on to top performance through inspiring and motivating communication.

adaptability

Adaptability is a key skill for an interim CEO as this role often involves rapid and unexpected changes. The interim managing director must quickly familiarize himself with the new corporate environment and understand the existing corporate structure. Flexibility in thinking and working methods are crucial in order to adapt to new circumstances and at the same time achieve company goals. This means that the interim CEO must be prepared to adapt their strategies and approaches to respond to new challenges and meet the needs of the company. A high level of adaptability not only helps you quickly familiarize yourself with a new environment, but also helps you manage the team and processes efficiently, even if circumstances continually change.

Communication skills

An interim managing director's communication skills are central to success in the position. It is not enough to simply share information; it is also important to convey this clearly and precisely. The interim general manager must be able to communicate effectively with various stakeholders, including employees, customers and business partners. This includes maintaining regular and open communication, giving and accepting feedback, and informing team members about changes, decisions and their reasons. Good communication not only promotes trust and collaboration within the team, but also helps to avoid misunderstandings and create a transparent working environment. The interim CEO should also have the ability to have difficult conversations constructively and convey the right messages at the right time.

Conflict resolution skills

Conflict resolution skills are essential for an interim CEO, who often joins an existing corporate structure where conflict or tension may already exist. The interim managing director must be able to quickly identify conflicts and take appropriate measures to resolve them. This requires a high level of empathy and a deep understanding of the underlying issues. The interim managing director should not only analyze the causes of conflicts, but also act diplomatically and fairly to find a solution that is acceptable to all parties involved. Effective conflict resolution also means being proactive and identifying potential conflicts early before they escalate. Through a constructive and solution-oriented approach, the interim managing director can help improve the working atmosphere and strengthen team dynamics.

Empathy and emotional understanding

Empathy and emotional understanding are crucial soft skills for an interim CEO to create a positive and supportive work environment. The interim general manager should understand and be able to respond to the emotional needs of employees to promote a harmonious work environment. This includes listening to employees' concerns and concerns, understanding their motivations, and addressing their individual needs. Empathy helps the interim general manager build trust and develop a strong, supportive relationship with team members. Through emotional understanding, the interim managing director can also better respond to the effects of changes on employees and accompany them through uncertainties and challenges.

Decisiveness and problem-solving skills

Decisiveness and problem-solving skills are essential for an interim CEO, as this position often requires quick and precise decisions. The interim CEO must be able to analyze complex issues and make informed decisions that are in the best interest of the company. This includes collecting and evaluating relevant information, weighing alternatives and making decisions based on solid analysis. Decisiveness also means taking responsibility for the decisions made and managing the consequences. Problem-solving skills include the ability to find creative solutions to challenges and implement them effectively. An interim CEO must be able to remain calm under pressure and make rational, thoughtful decisions to successfully lead the company through transition periods.

Why an interim managing director of IQX?

We know: Consulting often ends where the actual change begins. That's exactly why we do more than just make smart recommendations - we take responsibility and implement them. From our many years of experience as management consultants, we know the challenges that companies face when it comes to not only developing strategies, but also successfully implementing them.

This is where our unique approach comes in: We not only offer in-depth analyzes and tailor-made concepts, but also accompany you through the implementation as interim managing directors. As part of your team, we work directly in your company, take on operational responsibility and ensure that changes really take effect.

Our advantage? We already know your business from an in-depth analysis, know the details and have an unbiased view of the existing structures. This enables us to act faster and more targeted. While other interim managers still have to understand the context, we are already in the middle of the action - with the knowledge of a consultant and the determination of a manager.

Our combination of consulting expertise and operational leadership ensures that we don't just talk, but act. We create clarity, provide guidance and get things moving while at the same time setting the course for long-term success. The end result is a company that is not only more stable, but also emerges stronger from the change.