Maximilian K. - Interim COO

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Mannheim, Germany

Experience

Dec 2024 - Present

1 year 1 month

Interim COO

Confidential

Sales and consulting: Led the 9-person sales and consulting team, including individual employee development. Closely collaborated with clients to manage and shape ongoing consulting projects. Introduced a structured sales process with clear KPIs (e.g. conversion rates per funnel stage, deal cycle times) and set up CRM-based reporting for better management and forecast accuracy. Marketing: Managed the marketing team, developed and implemented targeted initiatives for positioning and lead generation.
Marketing responsibility: Managed the marketing team, developed and implemented targeted initiatives for positioning and lead generation, including focused LinkedIn campaigns, SEO measures, and webinar formats for lead qualification.
Finance: Analyzed financial KPIs together with accounting. Developed new pricing strategies to optimize margins and support sustainable growth, including a differentiated pricing structure based on service scope and customer segments.
Leadership: Active member of the leadership team. Responsible for company-wide change processes and strategic decisions, including introducing an OKR system to better align teams with company strategy.
Processes and structures: Analyzed and redesigned key business processes along the customer journey (lead > deal > delivery > after sales). Introduced standardized handoff points between sales, consulting, and operations to increase customer satisfaction and internal efficiency. Developed clear role profiles and established SOPs for recurring processes.
Change management: Led a comprehensive reorganization process, including redefining responsibilities and teams by skill focus. Facilitated feedback workshops to increase acceptance. Supported the change process with regular all-hands, one-on-one meetings, and targeted change communication measures.
Sales strategy: Developed a go-to-market strategy to tap new mid-market segments. Introduced an account planning approach for targeted development of existing customers and built a partner network for lead generation. Created personas, value propositions, and use cases for targeted customer outreach.
Leadership responsibility: 15 internal employees (sales, consulting, marketing, operations)
Technologies used: HubSpot, M365, LinkedIn, Canva, EOS

Sep 2024 - Present

1 year 4 months

Self-employed

Team leadership and development: Building teams, developing teams and individual employees through coaching and close support.
Sales and customer management: Advising and coaching key people in companies, especially in the IT and consulting sector, focusing on sales and resource management. This includes client support, negotiating terms, and expanding customer relationships.
Recruiting and talent placement: Profiling, hunting, and identifying new contacts to place specialists in IT, finance, HR, and sales for permanent positions.
Training and skills development: Organizing and conducting trainings to enhance skills.
Sales strategies: Implementing cross-selling and upselling strategies to increase revenue.
Market positioning: Using LinkedIn for recruiting and to strengthen sales activities.
Technologies used: HubSpot, Apollo.io, M365, Salesforce, Canva, LinkedIn, Confluence

Nov 2022 - Aug 2024

1 year 10 months

Germany

Managing Director & Operations Manager

DIS Consulting GmbH and DIS AG / LHH RS (part of Adecco Group AG)

Member of the division management team
ICEO consultant for LHH Legacy in the area of C-level outplacement
International contact person: Point of contact for all international topics within the group, especially focusing on sales activities in Germany. Coordinated all executive search topics. Part of the Adecco Germany cross-selling initiative with all brands (Akkodis, LHH, TAG, Adecco, DIS AG, LHH, Pontoon)
Digital innovation and transformation: Designing, reviewing, and implementing digital solutions and business models according to customer needs and feasibility
Sales target management and personnel development: Functional responsibility for the newly established DIS IT division and launching new initiatives like designing IT bootcamps with a training provider
Project and interface management: Project management for innovation initiatives, such as introducing digital recruitment tools and Salesforce, in interdisciplinary teams.
Revenue responsibility: 150 million euros per year
Leadership responsibility: 400 internal sales and recruiting employees and 4000 external employees
Technologies used: M365 incl. Excel, LinkedIn, Lusha, Salesforce

May 2022 - Nov 2022

7 months

Frankfurt, Germany

Head of Practice DACH

Finatal GmbH

HR service provider specializing in private equity and C-level placements. Led expansion from England to Germany.
Sales personnel development: First employee and building up the company in Frankfurt, including hiring people in sales and recruiting. Created onboarding plans, training, and led the team.
Strategic sales leadership: Developed a strategic sales plan for target clients in the DACH region in the private equity industry and their portfolio companies.
Technologies used: Office 365, CRM (Bullhorn), LinkedIn, XING, Lusha, ZoomInfo

Jul 2020 - May 2022

1 year 11 months

Zürich, Switzerland

Head of German-Speaking Part of Switzerland

Frank Recruitment Group

Expansion into Switzerland: Established the company in Switzerland as part of the management board.
Division leadership: Built sales teams in Switzerland, in both Geneva and Zurich. Onboarded, trained, and developed employees.
Strategic sales: Established the FRG brand in a new country, including marketing initiatives, presence, etc.
Strategic key account management: Won major target accounts like Accenture, IBM iX, and PWC as management tasks.
Contract negotiations: Conducted framework contract negotiations in large corporations and SMEs.
Revenue responsibility: 10 million euros per year
Leadership responsibility: 50 external project employees in Germany
Technologies used: Office, Salesforce, XING, LinkedIn

Feb 2016 - Jul 2020

4 years 6 months

Account Manager to Team Lead

Hays AG

Team management: building sales teams in Germany and Switzerland, onboarding, training and developing team members.
Key account management: developing and maintaining key client relationships through targeted acquisition in industries such as chemicals, pharma and cosmetics.
Talent acquisition and placement: recruiting industry specialists and successfully placing them.
Contract negotiations: handling salary and framework agreement negotiations in corporations and SMEs.
Goal and performance management: setting personal goals, monitoring KPIs and continuous self-improvement.
Customer acquisition and development: independently winning new clients and deepening existing business relationships.
Consulting and sales: implementing active sales strategies for IT services and products, both remotely and on-site.
Solution development: creating IT solutions and tailored proposals.
After-sales support: acting as the main point of contact for clients after the sale.
Revenue responsibility: 20 million euros per year.
Leadership responsibility: 220 external project staff in Germany and 150 in Switzerland.
Technologies used: Office, XING, SAP-BI, SAP Ariba

Jun 2013 - Oct 2015

2 years 5 months

Stralsund, Germany

Consultant

Wirtschaftskontor Stralsund

Customer acquisition and development: independently winning new clients and deepening existing business relationships.
Key account management: managing and strategically developing key client relationships.
Consulting and sales: implementing active sales strategies for IT services and products, both remotely and on-site.
Solution development: creating IT solutions and tailored proposals.
After-sales support: acting as the main point of contact for clients after the sale.
Revenue responsibility: 0.5 million euros per year.