Career change as a managing director

Career change paths

• Interim manager

  Also: Management consultant

  Start right away

  As an interim manager or consultant, you take on temporary tasks such as restructuring, succession or reorganization, and you bring experience without permanently carrying overall responsibility.

  What you bring:

  You have run a company, managed crises and implemented strategies, and you know where organizations typically get stuck.

  How to get there:

  You can become self-employed or get mandates through interim management agencies and consultancies. There, your network and proven results count more than a certificate. Expect periods without assignments and keep financial reserves.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with people

  €6,768gross per monthMedian salary

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• Commercial director

  Also: Head of administration

  Start right away

  As commercial director or head of administration in a company, hospital or nonprofit organization, you lead the administration but no longer carry overall responsibility for the whole organization.

  What you bring:

  You are well versed in finance, HR, organization and contracts and can bring order to processes.

  How to get there:

  With your experience, you can apply directly for such positions. In hospitals, foundations or public companies, you learn their financing and rules on the job. Expect a clear hierarchy in which you report to a managing director or board.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office

  €7,713gross per monthMedian salary

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• Managing director of an industry association

  Also: Managing director of an employers' association

  With on-the-job training

  In an association, you represent the member companies to politicians, authorities and the public, run the head office and organize the work of the board and committees.

  What you bring:

  You know the concerns and interests of companies in your industry, and you can negotiate and present to committees.

  How to get there:

  Associations often look for people with industry experience and contacts for the management role. You will have to learn association law, committee work and political processes. Depending on the association, a degree in business or law is expected.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically light

  €6,815gross per monthMedian salary

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• Economic development officer

  Also: Policy advisor for regional development

  With on-the-job training

  In the economic development office of a city, district or state, you advise companies and founders, arrange sites and funding programs, and help develop the business location.

  What you bring:

  You know what companies need when they relocate, look for financing or search for skilled staff, and you speak their language.

  How to get there:

  Economic development agencies train career changers with business experience on the job in funding programs, planning law and administrative procedures. A university degree is usually expected. The jobs are often in the public service or at municipal companies.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with people
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• Adjunct lecturer at a university

  Also: Lecturer at a private university

  With on-the-job training

  At universities of applied sciences and private universities, you teach subjects such as management, strategy or business start-ups.

  What you bring:

  You can show students how business management works in practice and combine theory with real cases from your working life.

  How to get there:

  You usually get teaching assignments through contacts with departments. They are more a second source of income than a full position. For a professorship at a university of applied sciences, you generally need a doctorate and several years of work experience; the details are set by the higher education acts of the German states.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically light

  €6,119gross per monthMedian salary

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• Recruitment consultant in direct search

  Also: Executive search consultant

  With on-the-job training

  As a recruitment consultant, you search for leadership candidates on behalf of companies, approach them, conduct interviews and support the selection process.

  What you bring:

  You have hired many managers yourself and know what matters when filling management positions.

  How to get there:

  Recruitment consultancies train experienced managers on the job in candidate research, outreach and selection procedures. Industry knowledge and your network count most. Some consultants later become partners or go self-employed.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with people

  €5,500gross per monthMedian salary

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• Investment manager

  Also: Consultant for business succession

  With on-the-job training

  At investment companies, development banks or succession consultancies, you examine companies, support investments or bring sellers and successors together.

  What you bring:

  You can assess business models, figures and management teams and know what matters when buying, selling or handing over a company.

  How to get there:

  Investment companies and succession consultancies train former managing directors on the job in valuation, contract design and processes. Solid knowledge of financing and balance sheets is assumed. As a self-employed succession consultant, you usually work on a success-fee basis, so expect irregular income.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with people
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• Business coach

  Also: Leadership trainer

  With further training

  As a coach or trainer, you support managers and teams, for example when they move into a new role or go through change.

  What you bring:

  You know everyday leadership, difficult decisions and management conflicts first-hand.

  How to get there:

  Associations and institutes offer coaching courses alongside work, and their length depends on the provider. The title of coach is not protected, and some associations award their own certificates. You can work self-employed or in the HR development department of a larger company.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with peopleHome office possible

  €4,155gross per monthMedian salary

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Salary: median of all full-time employees in the job, gross per month excluding special payments, as of April 2025. Half earn more, half earn less. Source: Federal Statistical Office of Germany (Destatis), table 62361-0030, license dl-de/by-2-0. Assigned to the jobs by quereinsteiger.de. No guarantee of accuracy.