Geert Schmelzer

Recommended expert

Available

Hamburg, Germany

Check rate

Experience

Oct 2025 - Apr 2026

7 months

Hamburg, Germany

Hybrid

Interim Spokesperson

Enertrag SE

Classic press work
Development and implementation of communication strategies for individual Enertrag projects such as wind farms
Development and implementation of a crisis communication strategy
Development and implementation of media monitoring to analyze which media/journalists publish Enertrag topics
Advising the board and the communications management

Oct 2025 - Apr 2026

7 months

Stuttgart, Germany

Hybrid

Consultant Internal/Change Communication EMEA/America

Toyota Automated Logistics

Development and implementation of a change communication strategy for the merger process
Planning and implementation of a content strategy for the shared new intranet
Planning, conceptualization, and coordination of content for internal and external target groups across different channels
Development of key messages and storytelling
Management, rollout, and controlling of marketing activities
Management of internal and external service providers
Development and presentation of templates for business decisions
Participation in strategic projects as well as close cooperation with marketing colleagues and specialist departments within the company

Jan 2025 - Oct 2025

10 months

Mannheim, Germany

Hybrid

Interim Senior Marketing and Communications Expert

MVV Energie AG

Planning, conceptualization, and coordination of content for internal and external target groups across different channels
Development of key messages and storytelling
Management, rollout, and controlling of marketing activities
Management of internal and external service providers
Development and presentation of templates for business decisions
Participation in strategic projects as well as close cooperation with marketing colleagues and specialist departments within the company

Mar 2024 - Nov 2024

9 months

Berlin, Germany

Hybrid

Interim Senior Marketing and Communications Expert, digital transformation of DRV software

Deutsche Rentenversicherung

Implementation of the change communication and marketing strategy for the digital transformation of the software of 16 different German Pension Insurance providers
Implementation and elaboration of the communication and marketing measures developed in the strategy for more than 80 different stakeholders
Development and implementation of current communication measures in the project
Development and implementation of current marketing measures in the project
Stakeholder management with a wide range of DRV positions and external service providers

Oct 2023 - Feb 2024

5 months

On-site

Interim Head of Corporate Communication

SENEC GmbH

Development and implementation of a new communication and marketing strategy together with the Head of Marketing
Development and implementation of a crisis communication strategy
Development and implementation of change communication
Development and implementation of sales communication
Leadership and expansion of the communications team
General press work
Sparring partner for the management

Jun 2023 - Sep 2023

4 months

Potsdam, Germany

Hybrid

Consulting and bridging a vacancy in the Executive Board Communications team

Mittelbrandenburgische Sparkasse

Executive board communications including speechwriting and editorials
Creation and digitization of the annual report
Development and elaboration of various communication strategies
Development and implementation of current communication measures in the project
Development and implementation of current marketing measures in the project
Stakeholder management with internal positions and external service providers

Jan 2023 - Oct 2023

10 months

Hybrid

Interim Head of Corporate Communication

Honeypot GmbH

Co-development of a new communication and marketing strategy
Advising management on projects, goals, and communication approach
Advising on and implementing operational and strategic PR work, including coordination and management of PR agencies in other European countries
Finding and developing relevant stories for target media
Advising the communications team
Planning, creating, and sending press releases
Individual pitches to and close exchange with journalists in German-speaking countries and beyond
Placing guest articles, interviews, and statements in relevant media
Preparing and follow-up of interviews including briefings, approval loop, and edits
Responsibility for consistent external brand communication across different channels

Feb 2022 - Jun 2023

1 year 5 months

Remote

Interim Project Manager Marketing Industry

Rittal GmbH & Co KG

Creation of content strategies with planning, concept development, and coordination of content for internal and external target groups
Development of key messages and storytelling
Management of the international rollout and controlling of marketing activities
Budget and project planning for national and international activities
Management of internal and external service providers
Preparation and presentation of templates for business decisions
Participation in strategic projects and close cooperation with marketing colleagues and specialist departments

Aug 2021 - Feb 2022

7 months

Hybrid

Head of Change Communication and Marketing

Deutsche Rentenversicherung DRV

Development and elaboration of a comprehensive change communication and marketing strategy for the digital transformation of 16 organizations within Deutsche Rentenversicherung
Implementation of strategic communication and marketing measures for more than 80 stakeholders
Development and implementation of current communication and marketing measures in the project
Stakeholder management with various DRV positions and external service providers

Apr 2019 - Aug 2021

2 years 5 months

Hybrid

External Consultant Digital Transformation / Strategic Development of Internal and External Communication

HHLA - Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG

Design and introduction of digital internal communication for around 6,000 blue-collar employees in nine European countries and in nine languages
Design and setup of a digital newsroom for topic management and content planning
Development of a strategic topic plan for the HHLA online magazine
Development of measures for the internal communication of strategic options for action
Development of employee campaigns on the topic "HHLA - the gateway to the future"
Design and development of content for leadership workshops
Driving internal cultural change
Revision and redesign of the traditional employee newspaper

Jun 2005 - Present

21 years 3 months

Hybrid

Communication Expert/Communication Expert

Concept and management of communication projects in the area of corporate communications / change communication / corporate communications
Planning and implementation of channel- and audience-specific communication strategies for a wide range of target groups
Concept and management of digital marketing strategies including social media, in close cooperation with top management levels at large corporations and mid-sized companies
Management of external service providers from PR, content, design, and tech
Advising and supporting departments as well as acting as a sparring partner for managers on suitable communication measures for selected topics
Concept and development of print and digital corporate media
Process analysis and success monitoring of the measures used
Building and maintaining contact with national and international media, journalists, bloggers, and companies
Communication with journalists using an extensive personal network while building new contacts
Development of target group-specific PR concepts
Operational support in creating suitable PR materials
Planning and implementation of PR activities

Jan 2001 - Dec 2005

5 years

Editorial Director

Capital.de / impulse.de

Responsible for the daily reporting of up to 12 editors
General editorial management
Coordination with print editorial teams and the publishing management

Jan 2000 - Dec 2001

2 years

Project Manager

impulse.de

Development of the B2B channel in the Gruner+Jahr Business Channel
Responsibility for developing the editorial and cooperation concept with four employees

Jan 1998 - Dec 2000

3 years

Editor

impulse – das Unternehmermagazin

Reporting on companies and markets
Writing articles and features
Editorial management

Jan 1996 - Dec 1998

3 years

Managing Editor

Der Handel, Deutscher Fachverlag

Reporting on companies and markets
Writing articles and features
Editorial management

Jan 1991 - Dec 1996

6 years

Assistant and production of current political radio programs

Westdeutscher Rundfunk

Assistance and production of current political radio programs such as Tag um Fünf, Morgenecho on WDR 3, WDR 4, and WDR 5

Content Strategist

innogy SE

Creation of a content strategy for B2C and B2B sales
Development and implementation of marketing and communication for B2B products, including white papers and newsletters
Implementation and further development of the digital content marketing strategy for the retail area
Executive communication in a national and international change process
Development of an executive newsletter for national and international audiences

Industry Experience

See where this freelancer has spent most of their professional time.

Experienced in Professional Services, Media and Entertainment, Transportation, Energy, Manufacturing, and Government and Administration.

Professional Services

Media and Entertainment

Transportation

Energy

Manufacturing

Government and Administration

Business Area Experience

See which departments and functions this freelancer has contributed to most.

Experienced in Project Management, Marketing, Production, Operations, Strategy, and Research and Development.

Project Management

Marketing

Production

Operations

Strategy

Research and Development

Summary

"I am an experienced interim manager with more than 20 years of experience in corporate communications and make sure that your change processes succeed. Your change project benefits from the key involvement and positive motivation of your employees through internal communication and facilitation. This is how sustainable solutions with a high level of acceptance are created. "

Skills

Leadership Skills: More Than 13 Years Of Experience Leading A Wide Range Of Teams Made Up Of Permanent And Freelance Editors And Graphic Designers. Coordination Between Different Publishing Areas.
Journalism: More Than 25 Years Of Experience In Journalism For Well-Known Media Such As Wdr, Wirtschaftswoche, Capital, Impulse, SüDdeutsche Zeitung, Der Spiegel, Mare, Lufthansa Magazin
Social Media: Development And Implementation Of Social Media Formats Such As Facebook And Twitter For Companies, Development Of Formats For Social Media And Guidelines For The Use Of Social Media Such As Facebook And Twitter By Employees, Developers, And Customers.

Languages

German

Native

English

Advanced

Italian

Elementary

Education

Oct 1990 - Jun 1995

University of Cologne

Graduate Economist · Economics with a social science focus · Cologne, Germany

Oct 1988 - Jun 1991

Kölner Schule - Institute for Journalism e.V. (today: Cologne School of Journalism for Politics and Business)

Training as a political and business journalist · Cologne, Germany

Certifications & licenses

"Strong in Crises – the Readiness Model for Your Communication"

DPRG - German Public Relations Society

Intensive Training in Change Communication

German Academy for Public Relations - DAPR

Change Management

Haufe Academy

Statistics

Experience

Total positions 17

Experience in Professional Services 21 y

Avg length 2 y 10 m

Longest experience 21 y 2 m

Global Experience

Countries worked in 1 (Germany)

Primary country Germany

Expertise

Recent roles Interim Spokesperson, Consultant Internal/Change Communication EMEA/America, Interim Senior Marketing and Communications Expert

Main industries Professional Services, Media and Entertainment, Transportation

Main business areas Project Management, Marketing, Production

Qualifications

Highest degree Master

Certifications earned 4

Profile

Created

April 2024

Last Update

August 2026

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Frequently asked questions

Have questions? Find more information here.

Geert is based in Hamburg, Germany and can operate in on-site, hybrid, and remote work models.

Geert speaks the following languages: German (Native), English (Advanced), Italian (Elementary).

Geert has at least 36 years of experience. During this time, Geert has worked in at least 15 different roles and for 16 different companies. The average length of individual experience is 2 years and 3 months. Note that Geert may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

Based on recent experience, Geert would be well-suited for roles such as: Interim Spokesperson, Consultant Internal/Change Communication EMEA/America, Interim Senior Marketing and Communications Expert.

Geert's most recent position is Interim Spokesperson at Enertrag SE.

In recent years, Geert has worked for Enertrag SE, Toyota Automated Logistics, MVV Energie AG, Deutsche Rentenversicherung, and SENEC GmbH.

Geert is most experienced in industries like Professional Services, Media and Entertainment, and Transportation. Geert also has some experience in Energy, Manufacturing, and Government and Administration.

Geert is most experienced in business areas like Project Management, Marketing, and Production. Geert also has some experience in Operations, Strategy, and Research and Development.

Geert has recently worked in industries like Professional Services, Energy, and Manufacturing.

Geert has recently worked in business areas like Marketing, Project Management, and Strategy.

Geert holds a Master in Economics with a social science focus from University of Cologne.

Geert has 4 certificates. Among them, these include: Master Business With AI (MBAIⓇ), "Strong in Crises – the Readiness Model for Your Communication", and Intensive Training in Change Communication.

Geert is immediately available full-time for suitable projects.

Daily Rate Distribution

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The rates shown represent the typical market range for freelancers in this position based on recent contracts on our platform.

Actual rates may vary depending on seniority level, experience, skill specialization, project complexity, and engagement length.

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Daily rate avg. 904 €

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Median rate 896 €

The median daily rate is the middle value of all daily rates — half of comparable freelancers charge less, half charge more. Unlike the average, it is barely affected by outliers.

Actual rates may vary depending on seniority level, experience, skill specialization, project complexity, and engagement length.