Interim managing director
Interim managing director for mid-sized companies.
In brief
You need management for a set time. Steffen Herr spent 13 years as board member and managing director of a consultancy for mid-sized companies and takes over when management is out, succession is open or the company needs a new direction. He decides from day one and hands over to your own leadership once it carries.
The managing director is out, succession is open or the company needs a new direction. Steffen Herr takes over management for a set time, makes the decisions that have been waiting and hands over to the company's own leadership once it carries.
When interim management of the company makes sense
The managing director is out
Illness, separation or a sudden change. Customers, bank and team need someone from tomorrow who signs and decides.
Succession is not settled
The owner wants to step back, a successor is not found or not ready yet. An interim managing director keeps the company stable and prepares the handover.
The business needs a new direction
Revenue stalls, costs run away, the team works on too many fronts. Someone has to set priorities and hold them against day-to-day pressure.
Shareholders need a neutral authority
When shareholders or family branches disagree, an external managing director runs operations until the owners have decided.
How interim management of the company works
- 01 · Weeks 1–2
Take over and stabilise
Review liquidity, order book and open decisions. Talk to the bank, key customers and the management team. Act first where cash or customers are at risk.
- 02 · Months 1–3
Set the direction
Back a few priorities with numbers and agree them with the shareholders. A fixed rhythm for decisions and reports to the advisory board or owners.
- 03 · From month 3
Deliver and hand over
The management team takes on responsibility step by step. The handover to the new managing director is part of the plan from day one.
Put the fee in context
What does leadership for a fixed term really cost?
The German interim association DDIM gives one percent of the target annual salary of a comparable permanent role as a rule of thumb for the day rate. Set what the position would cost you permanently.
€160,000
Department or programme responsibility · Day rate, as a guide €1,600
Typical for head of IT, operations or programme steering in mid-sized companies. The market average for senior interim was 1,318 euros a day in 2023, C-level above that.
Your scenario
Pick days per week and duration. Each cell shows the mandate volume based on the DDIM guideline.
Volume of your scenario
€147,200
4 days a week over 6 months, about 92 days on site
Permanent role per year, including on-costs
€200,000
Factor 1.25 for social contributions, holiday and absence, calculated conservatively. A permanent hire is a lasting commitment; the mandate ends with the handover.
Let's walk through your scenario.
Department or programme responsibility, 4 days a week, 6 months. In the first call we check whether the role holds in that shape and which rate fits.
A guide, not an offer. The actual rate depends on role, duration, days per week and travel, and is settled in the first call. DDIM, fees in interim management
What this is based on
- 13 years as board member and managing director of Portfolio Consult AG (2007 to 2020), a consultancy for mid-sized companies built from scratch
- Second board mandate at dreiplus Unternehmensgruppe AG (2010 to 2012): developed products, built sales and ran commercial controlling
- Responsible for more than 150 SME projects in strategy, organisation, process improvement and sales
- Interim CIO at Telelift GmbH in 2025, intralogistics, more than 200 employees
- Consultant listed with BAFA, the German federal office for economic affairs (ID 193982)
Frequently asked questions
How does an interim managing director differ from a consultant?
The interim managing director runs the company: decides, signs and is accountable to shareholders and bank for the result. A consultant delivers recommendations, and the company's own leadership has to implement them.
Is an interim managing director entered in the commercial register?
That depends on the mandate. Common routes are an appointment as managing director with registration, or a general power of attorney alongside the existing management. We clarify which fits in the first call.
How long does interim management of the company last?
Interim mandates run three to eighteen months, three to five days a week. In a succession, the length depends on when the new managing director can take over.
How fast can an interim managing director start?
Steffen Herr answers an enquiry within 24 hours. After clarifying the mandate, a start within one to two weeks is usual, faster in critical situations.
A mandate to fill? An answer within 24 hours.
Availability, terms and fit settled up front. Directly, without detours.
Last updated: 11/11/2026