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HR Leadership

Is your HR leadership role vacant while a permanent successor has yet to be appointed — with decisions on compensation, workforce planning and works council matters continuing to accumulate? We place experienced interim managers from our network to take full leadership responsibility until a permanent solution is in place.

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Interim HR leader in discussion with the executive team – AI-generated image AIGenerated

What we take on for you

More than simply bridging a vacancy, the interim leader takes responsibility. Together, we define the mandate’s priorities — maintaining stable operations, resolving outstanding decisions or building a new HR function.

Our offer

From bridging a vacancy to full leadership responsibility for your HR function — we find the right scope.

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Our offer

From bridging a vacancy to full leadership responsibility for your HR function — we find the right scope.

Leading the HR team

Functional and disciplinary leadership, task allocation, prioritization and employee development.

HR strategy

Align people strategy with business planning, set goals and prioritize measures.

Workforce planning & budget

Steer headcount needs, personnel costs and forecasts; own the budget and represent it to the executive team.

Employee representation

Reliable collaboration with works council and employee representatives: lead negotiations and conclude works agreements.

Compensation & benefits

Steer compensation systems, salary rounds and benefits; review and evolve pay structures.

Executive sparring

A trusted partner to executives and shareholders on people, organizational and conflict matters — focused on practical decisions and action.

HR processes & systems

Review processes and systems, set standards and drive digitalization.

Building the HR function

Professionalize HR for the first time: establish structures, roles and standards for growing organizations.

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One way to fill your HR leadership role

Leadership responsibility requires a clear mandate and decision-making authority. We therefore provide this service exclusively through HR interim management — not through ANÜ (temporary staffing under German law) or a service contract.

HR Interim Managers

HR leadership under an interim mandate

CommitmentProject-based, no defined maximum duration
ManagementLeads independently under the mandate
SetupReports directly to the executive team with full decision authority
You getSenior expertise with leadership experience from day one
Ideal forVacancy, parental leave, illness, succession search, building an HR function
AvailabilityOften ready to start within days
Pricefrom €85 / hour
Discuss this model

Why interim only?

Leadership responsibility requires managerial authority and a clear mandate in relation to the team, employee representatives and the executive team. ANÜ (temporary staffing under German law) cannot provide this framework appropriately.

That is why we fill HR leadership exclusively through an independent interim mandate: full decision authority, a direct reporting line and a defined end point — until permanent succession is in place.

Measurable results from interim HR leadership

Interim leadership delivers tangible results. These figures show what you can expect.

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< 5 days

Time from initial request to appointment

85 %

Extension rate in leadership mandates

> 9 months

Avg. mandate duration until permanent succession

~ 23 years

Avg. leadership experience of our interim managers

When interim HR leadership pays off most

For organizations that need to fill an HR leadership vacancy without rushing the permanent appointment.

Speed

Filled in days, not months

Finding a permanent HR leader takes months. A mandate usually starts within days — without ramp-up into leadership tasks.

Decision readiness

Open topics get moving

Salary rounds, works agreements and workforce planning will not wait for succession.

Calm succession planning

No panic hire

With the mandate filled, you can hire the permanent role calmly and with the right profile.

Stability

The HR team stays led

Avoid placing an additional burden on employees or the executive team through temporary internal arrangements.

Predictability

Clear costs and responsibilities

Project-based mandate instead of permanent headcount, with defined scope and end point.

Experience

25 years across all industries

Proven approaches for small companies, mid-market and enterprises.

Companies that trust us

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Isar Aerospace Logo
Samsung Logo
ClimatePartner Logo
Cadence Logo
Bavarian Nordic Logo
Microsoft Logo
Woolrich Logo
Allianz Logo
Zeppelin Logo
Stadtwerke München Logo
HR in transition
Support during HR realignment and personnel changes

During a phase of realigning our HR function, which was also accompanied by various personnel changes, the support provided by HR factory was extremely valuable to us. […] From day one, our collaboration with HR factory was pragmatic and focused on results, with transparent and open communication.

Fonds Finanz
Ralf Enseling · Head of HR

Frequently asked questions

What does an interim HR leader actually do? +

They assume full responsibility for the HR function: leading the HR team, managing workforce planning and budgets, working with the works council and executive team, and making ongoing people decisions. The focus is on leadership and implementation rather than external consulting.

How is this different from an HR Business Partner? +

HR leadership carries leadership, budget and results responsibility for the entire HR function. An HR Business Partner works strategically and consultatively at the interface to individual business units without overall accountability.

Why do you provide this service exclusively through interim management? +

Leadership responsibility requires managerial authority and a clear mandate in relation to the team, employee representatives and the executive team. An independent interim mandate provides the appropriate framework for this role.

How quickly can you start? +

Often within days, and generally within a few weeks of the initial consultation and profile alignment. Our interim managers are usually available at short notice — a decisive advantage when a vacancy arises unexpectedly.

How long does such a mandate usually last? +

It depends on the reason: parental leave cover is plannable; a succession search typically takes several months. The mandate runs project-based without a defined maximum duration.

What does interim HR leadership cost? +

Costs depend on scope, duration and seniority level. Offset that against the cost of an unfilled leadership role. After the intro call you receive a transparent estimate — no hidden items.

Do you also support the search for permanent succession? +

Yes. The interim HR leader can sharpen the role profile and support the selection process — via our recruiting or together with your existing partner.

What happens when the mandate ends? +

The mandate concludes with a structured handover, including documented topics, outstanding decisions and knowledge transfer to the permanent successor. It ends with a clearly defined, handover-ready status rather than an abrupt break.

How do you ensure data protection for sensitive HR topics? +

Personal data is processed only for defined purposes, limited to what is necessary and documented in accordance with the GDPR. We avoid unnecessary copies and apply clear retention periods.

Let’s fill your HR leadership role

Is the HR leadership role open?

In the intro call, tell us why the vacancy exists, which topics are waiting and how long the succession search is likely to take. Together we find the right path.

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These points matter:

  • Why is the role open: vacancy, parental leave, illness, new build?
  • How large is the HR team to be led?
  • Which topics cannot wait: salary round, employee bodies, workforce planning?
  • From when and for how long do you need support?

Clarifying these questions leads to the best solution for you.