When an interim COO makes sense in banking
Banks and savings banks are under growing pressure: regulation, consolidation, outsourcing strategies, IT migrations and skills shortages all hit established structures at once. In exactly these phases an experienced interim COO can make the difference.
- Vacancy cover — when operational leadership drops out at short notice or a position cannot be filled quickly.
- Transformation — migrations (e.g. around Finanz Informatik), efficiency programmes, reorganising service and back-office functions.
- Regulation — DORA, MaRisk, BAIT: when projects are off track and audit-proof delivery is required.
- Special situations — post-merger integration after mergers, carve-outs, building new business units.
- Conflict moderation — when change stalls on internal resistance and external authority is needed.
What I deliver as interim COO
Operational leadership
Stabilising day-to-day operations, steering the line organisation, securing service levels towards customers, supervisors and internal stakeholders. Accountability for KPIs, budget and people.
Steering external providers
Coordinating and steering outsourcing partners such as Finanz Informatik and external IT and service providers — including contract management, SLA steering and escalation management in line with DORA.
Regulatory projects
Leading and delivering regulatory projects, in particular DORA, IT security audits, outsourcing management and risk governance. Preparing and supporting BaFin and association inspections.
Change and conflict moderation
Change in regulated environments is rarely free of conflict. I moderate between business units, IT and external partners and keep up the pace while securing acceptance.
Building leadership teams
Where structures or people are missing, I build teams — recruiting, onboarding, coaching successors. The goal is always a handover to an intact permanent leadership.
Experience in financial services
Head of IT and DORA delivery at a German savings bank
Interim cover for the head of IT: stable IT operations, DORA requirements embedded in the line organisation, IT security audit prepared and supported — with an orderly handover to the successor.
Role: Interim Head of IT. Steering of external IT providers including Finanz Informatik (the savings banks' central IT provider), build-up of the operational information security team, change management and conflict moderation during the FI migration.
- CRIF Bürgel (05/2017 – 01/2021): Executive Director Data & Insights — post-merger integration after the acquisition by an international financial group, shared service centres, ERP roll-out in five countries; also Managing Director of EURO-PRO.
- Barclays, Hamburg: Senior Manager Strategy & Business Transformation, Head of Fraud Operations, Head of Loan Operations, Brexit PMO.
- Atradius and Gerling: credit insurance — multinational PMI, IT and product management.
All mandates with starting point, contribution and outcome →
How an engagement works
1. Initial call (30 minutes, free of charge)
Clarifying the starting point, the expected contribution and the framework. Confidential, without obligation.
2. Short analysis and mandate definition
Within a few days: scope, objectives, reporting lines, duration and terms. The result is a clearly defined mandate rather than an open-ended consulting contract.
3. Onboarding and the first 100 days
Fast onboarding with stakeholders, taking over ongoing topics, prioritising. Within the first 100 days: first visible results, a stable leadership structure and a roadmap for the mandate.
4. Handover
Working towards the handover from day one: documentation, coaching the successor, a clean cut-off.
Frequently asked questions
How does an interim COO differ from a management consultancy?
An interim COO takes operational line accountability — for budget, people and results — rather than producing recommendations. He is part of the leadership for a defined period and works towards a handover to the permanent appointment.
Do you have experience with Finanz Informatik?
Yes. In my mandate at a German savings bank (05/2025 – 09/2026) I was responsible for steering Finanz Informatik as a critical ICT provider and supported change management during the FI migration.
When can a mandate start?
We agree the start date in the initial call. Once scope, objectives, reporting lines and duration are defined, a structured onboarding follows.
Let’s talk about your situation
Free initial call, 30 minutes, confidential. After the first conversation we will both know whether working together makes sense.
Arrange an initial call →