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Interim Managing Director / CEO

When companies are suddenly confronted with leadership shortages, urgent pressure for change, or acute crises, they need more than just a quick interim solution. They need a professional who not only takes immediate responsibility but also systematically creates stability, drives change, and builds trust.

Since 2003, we have stood for reliable interim management solutions that go far beyond simply filling vacancies. Our interim managers possess a solid consulting background, combine strategic thinking with operational implementation skills, and know precisely what matters in critical phases. Our managers are not lone wolves, but rather part of a fixed, experienced team that has proven itself over many years in a wide variety of projects. This team ensures a high degree of continuity, mutual support, and quality assurance that individual, one-off assignments often cannot provide.

We are not a pool of constantly changing profiles – but a well-established team of experts who work with you to build trust, provide certainty in action, and enable real change. Whether restructuring, growth, succession planning, or digitalization – we provide fast, competent, and efficient support. We bring not only methodological expertise but also decades of experience in leadership and numerous successfully completed projects. Trust is not a matter of chance. It arises from experience, clarity, and reliability – and that is precisely what we offer you.

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 CEO steps in when companies are in a critical phase requiring swift and decisive leadership. This could include situations where an unexpected departure at the top poses a challenge, a major restructuring is necessary, or an acute crisis needs to be managed.

With his extensive experience and unbiased perspective, he quickly analyzes the situation, identifies weaknesses, and develops pragmatic solutions. His task is to rapidly establish clarity and initiate the necessary measures to get the company back on track. He has no time for lengthy onboarding or cumbersome decision-making processes – it's about quickly setting priorities to address the existing problems effectively.

The interim managing director remains free from internal entanglements and personal loyalties, allowing him to make clear decisions and implement measures that have often been 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.

During his assignment, he serves the company as an anchor and guide, ensuring stability and laying the foundation for sustainable success, without becoming a permanent part of the company structure himself. At the end, he hands over a consolidated and strengthened company to the new, permanent management and moves on – ready for the next challenge.

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

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 smoothly – even in turbulent times.

Implementing the strategy

He ensures that analyses and concepts become concrete results by not only developing the necessary strategy but also vigorously implementing it in practice.

Managing crises

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

Managing the transition

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

Required social skills of an interim CEO

Leadership skills

As an interim CEO, strong leadership skills are crucial. This role requires not only the ability to manage a team but also the ability to gain the trust and respect of employees. Leadership skills encompass a clear vision and the ability to communicate that vision effectively. An interim CEO must be able to set goals, share these goals with the team, and establish a common direction. It is important to keep both short-term and long-term objectives in mind and to guide the team through uncertain times. A good leader recognizes the strengths and weaknesses of their employees and knows how to best leverage them to maximize efficiency and productivity. Furthermore, the interim CEO should be able to encourage employees and inspire them to achieve peak performance through inspiring and motivating communication.

adaptability

Adaptability is a key competency for an interim CEO, as this role often involves rapid and unexpected changes. The interim CEO must quickly familiarize themselves with the new business environment and understand the existing organizational structure. Flexibility in mindset and working methods is crucial for adapting to new circumstances while simultaneously achieving the company's objectives. This means the interim CEO must be prepared to adjust their strategies and approaches to respond to new challenges and meet the company's needs. A high degree of adaptability not only helps in quickly settling into a new environment but also in efficiently managing the team and processes, even as circumstances continuously change.

Communication skills

The communication skills of an interim CEO are of central importance to success in the role. Simply passing on information is not enough; it is also crucial to communicate it clearly and concisely. The interim CEO must be able to communicate effectively with various stakeholders, including employees, customers, and business partners. This includes maintaining regular and open communication, giving and receiving feedback, and keeping team members informed about changes, decisions, and the reasons behind them. Good communication not only fosters trust and collaboration within the team but also helps avoid misunderstandings and create a transparent working environment. The interim CEO should also possess the ability to conduct difficult conversations constructively and deliver the right messages at the right time.

Conflict resolution skills

Conflict resolution skills are essential for an interim CEO, who often steps into an existing organizational structure where conflicts or tensions may already exist. The interim CEO must be able to quickly identify conflicts and take appropriate action to resolve them. This requires a high degree of empathy and a deep understanding of the underlying issues. The interim CEO should not only analyze the causes of conflicts but also proceed diplomatically and fairly to find a solution acceptable to all parties involved. Effective conflict resolution also means being proactive and identifying potential conflicts early on, before they escalate. By taking a constructive and solution-oriented approach, the interim CEO can contribute to improving the working environment and strengthening 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 CEO should understand and address the emotional needs of employees to foster a harmonious work environment. This includes listening to employees' concerns and worries, recognizing their motivations, and responding to their individual needs. Empathy helps the interim CEO build trust and develop a strong, supportive relationship with team members. Emotional understanding also enables the interim CEO to better address the impact of change on employees and guide 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 demands quick and precise decisions. The interim CEO must be able to analyze complex problems and make well-informed decisions that are in the best interest of the company. This includes gathering and evaluating relevant information, weighing alternatives, and making decisions based on sound analysis. Decisiveness also means taking responsibility for the decisions made and managing the consequences. Problem-solving skills encompass 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, well-considered decisions to successfully guide the company through transitional phases.

Why an interim managing director for 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 analyses and tailored concepts, but also support you as interim managing directors throughout the implementation process. As part of your team, we work directly within your company, assume operational responsibility, and ensure that changes truly 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.