Hire the best Chief Executive Officers in Munich matched in minutes from over 15,000 CVs with the power of AI
For growth phases, restructurings, fundraising, market entry, and interim leadership, bring in a chief executive who can set direction and keep execution tight. Get fast, precise matching with vetted, available freelancers.
About the role
What they do A freelance Chief Executive Officer takes ownership of the full business agenda. That can mean setting strategy, steering the management team, handling investors or owners, and keeping sales, finance, operations, and people decisions aligned. In many projects, the CEO is brought in as an interim CEO, acting CEO, or managing director to create order fast.
Typical assignments
- Stabilise leadership after a vacancy or board change
- Shape the company plan for growth, turnaround, or market entry
- Support fundraising, lender talks, or investor reporting
- Lead reorganisation, cost control, or portfolio changes
- Improve decision paths between founders, board, and teams
- Prepare the business for a sale, merger, or succession
Skills that matter Strong chief executive officers combine clear judgment with calm execution. They can read a balance sheet, challenge a forecast, and translate strategy into actions the team can follow. They know how to lead senior stakeholders, make decisions with incomplete data, and keep communication direct.
Tools and methods A good CEO uses simple, reliable management tools rather than heavy process. Common work includes KPI reviews, board packs, weekly leadership rhythms, scenario planning, cash and pipeline tracking, and clear ownership for critical decisions. In Munich, this often matters for industrial companies, tech firms, family businesses, and scale-ups that need a steady hand and fast coordination.
When companies bring one in Companies hire a freelance Chief Executive Officer when the role is too important to leave open, but the need is temporary or highly specific. That is often the case during transitions, rapid growth, crisis periods, or before a permanent hire is ready. It also works well when the founder needs an experienced sparring partner without changing the long-term structure.
What strong candidates look like
- They have led real businesses, not only advised them
- They can work with founders, boards, works councils, and investors
- They communicate clearly in English and, in Munich, often benefit from German
- They stay practical and make decisions that can be executed
- They are comfortable being both visible and accountable
- They understand when to push, when to listen, and when to delegate
Meet FRATCH Chief Executive Officers
Elisabeth Wesse
Executive Advisor | Business Potential & Strategy Implementation & Managing Partner
Last position:
Executive Advisor | Business Potential & Strategy Implementation & Managing Partner at Wesse Consult
- Analyzing business challenges with ~20% effort to drive ~80% output, ensuring clear priorities, structures and actionable recommendations that deliver rapid, measurable results.
- Driving holistic business transformation, customer focus, go-to-market strategy and KPI-driven performance.
- Acting as a trusted C-Level advisor and sparring partner to turn strategy into measurable results.
- Helping CEOs, founders and leadership teams in businesses of all sizes to strengthen growth and profitability.
Philipp Thomaschewski
Project Lead
Last position:
Founder & CEO at FRATCH.IO
- Enterprise partnerships across four industries: structured and closed multi-stakeholder deals with Telefónica (Telco), Emma Matratzen (Retail), Nürnberger Versicherungen and Flatex (Financial Services), Hubert Burda Media and Serviceplan Gruppe (Media).
- Revenue and growth: scaled FRATCH from €0 to €3.8M annual GMV, with ~80% of revenue sourced from founder-led direct outreach and partner relationships.
- Channel partnerships: sold FRATCH as a SaaS solution to recruiting firms (e.g., YER) — built the partner-enabled motion alongside direct enterprise sales.
- Team build: scaled FRATCH from solo founder to a team of 7 across engineering, product design, operations, and supply outreach.
- Proprietary network asset: onboarded 15,000+ freelancers as registered users — the proprietary DACH network powering FRATCH's matching.
- Built and launched FRATCH GPT: a production conversational AI agent. Architected the full stack — LLM orchestration, embeddings, re-ranking — with hands-on involvement in technical design and execution.
- GTM build: owned the full go-to-market stack — outbound, LinkedIn (organic + paid), content, and sales enablement.
Aydogan Koc
Head of Special Projects–Executive Consultant
Last position:
Head of Special Projects–Executive Consultant at HPS GmbH
- Responsible for space & defence projects with NASA, ESA & national agencies
- Senior program management for special projects
- Collaboration with Thales and other key industry stakeholders
Georg Schiffmann
AI Consultant & Implementer | AI Automation with n8n + LLMs (Claude, ChatGPT) | Senior Product Owner with Founder Background
Last position:
Founder & Managing Director at GS9 Consulting GmbH
- Strategic consulting and implementation of AI-supported automation solutions for service processes (email communication, document handling, review processing, voice agents)
- Technical orchestration through n8n (workflow automation), Claude and ChatGPT (LLMs), as well as custom API integrations into existing enterprise tools
- Measurable client results: reduced response times from hours to minutes, 8h/week less invoice processing, 75% fewer routine calls
- Classification of regulatory frameworks (GDPR, compliance) as part of client consulting
- Technical product ownership (backlog, roadmap, prioritization)
- Formal contract vehicle for freelance mandates, including 1&1 Telecommunications
- Setup & scaling of enterprise AI platforms
Andre Kholodov
Nearshore Engagement Manager
Last position:
Nearshore Engagement Manager at EnBW AG
- Built strong awareness of nearshoring within the company
- Engagement Manager in the Nearshore Competence Center
- Responsible for nearshore consulting, partner screening and technical onboarding, designing and implementing cooperation scenarios, change management, stakeholder management, participating in steering committees and collaborating with IT and business units
- Tools used: Microsoft Office 365, Microsoft Teams, Azure DevOps, Microsoft SharePoint, Conceptboard
- Key results: established a nearshoring strategy, successfully identified and implemented outsourcing partnerships, executed change management and stakeholder management at a top level
Irmgard Drey
Selfemployed - Interims Management in M&A Environments
Last position:
Selfemployed - Interims Management in M&A Environments at Irmgard Drey e.K.
- Consulting and implementation in the areas of human resources, finance and IT for medium-sized companies in the telecommunications, plant engineering, real estate, metal processing, pharmaceutical and energy supply sectors
- Establishment and re-design of human resources departments - specifically in carve-out or merger environments
- Management coaching and Interim HR Management HR IT: SAP HCM Implementation of various requirements Compensation management Works agreements Outsourcing Payroll Budget planning/HR controlling
- Centralised support and advisory to management in regards of HR strategy, and implementation of end-of-year reporting processes
- Company pension scheme development, reporting tool development and HR / Payroll report generation
- Implementation of the Occupational Pensions Strengthening Act and corporate framework design
- Development of interdependent and coordinated training programs for departments and department managers
- Junior manager - coaching
- Compensation/Benefits Recruiting, Interviews, Search
- Introduction of time management with SAP HCM PT process optimization General Data Protection Regulation Document management, etc
- Tax audit digitization project, e.g., personnel files, expense compensation for employees in the construction industry
- Cost reduction projects to increase operational efficiency
- Led negotiations with works council and economic committee
- Redesign of compensation concepts personnel management - Fit for Future.
Jennifer Kraft García
Vice President People, Culture & Organization
Last position:
Vice President People, Culture & Organization at Xempus
- Built HR function from ground up: talent acquisition, performance systems, compensation frameworks, and L&D programs
- Designed organizational structure supporting 150% headcount growth while maintaining culture and performance standards
- Implemented AI-enabled HR processes reducing administrative overhead by 40%
- Established executive coaching and leadership development programs
- Created data-driven workforce planning and analytics capabilities
- Acted as strategic advisor to C-Suite on organizational design and people strategy
Katrin Mohr
CEO
Last position:
CEO at Digital Hub Cologne GmbH
- Led the company's transformation into a shared service center, supporting PropTech Powerhouse e.V. and consortium partners of the SME Digital Center Rhineland, an initiative by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection.
- Directed the core functions of the company, including strategy, finance, and marketing/sales, alongside overseeing critical administrative functions such as legal, IT, and HR.
- Mentored, motivated, and led cross-functional teams toward reaching company goals.
- Developed and executed strategic plans, including AI/digital transformation and new business development initiatives, ensuring sustainable growth and future-proofing the organization.
- Reported financial performance to shareholders through ad hoc analyses, monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements, while managing budget planning and forecasting processes.
- Managed key partner relationships and expanded strategic partnerships to support the company's growth trajectory.
- Developed and implemented a holistic strategy for recruiting, HR, and IT, aligning with the company's digitalization goals.
- Spearheaded a strategy for the digitalization and optimization of internal processes, adopting lean administration practices to enhance operational efficiency and reduce costs.
Philip Scheibl
CEO & Owner
Last position:
CEO & Owner at Scheibl GmbH
- Optimization of strategic and operational processes for improved best practice
- Digital transformation to Data Driven Marketing, cyber security, fraud protection
- Digital communication solutions in online marketing to visualise and increase competencies, performance components, brand presence and competitive differentiation
- BI, tracking and financial model optimisation
- Knowledge promotion and synergy networking in the business process and implementation
- Go-to-market strategy
- API and data automation development
- UTM parameters and performance KPIs
- Technologies: MS Power BI, Adobe Analytics, Datorama, Tableau, Qlik, Google Analytics, Salesforce, Braze, Adobe Experience Cloud, FSCM, SOC and SIEM analytics, API, DWH, CDH
Frederik Lipfert
Founder
Last position:
Founder at Tech Lunch Club
- Founded and organized a curated networking event connecting startup founders, executives, and tech leaders over lunch.
- Facilitated discussions on emerging technologies, AI, and business innovation, fostering collaboration between the startup and corporate worlds.
- Built a thriving industry community, creating meaningful business opportunities.
Wolfgang Farkas
Interim CEO
Last position:
Interim CEO France & EVP Operations Germany at Kelvion
Developed plan for German factories, introduced standard work and process optimization
Improved on-time in-full (OTIF) performance from 60% to 98%
Increased EBIT by 4%
Analyzed status quo and developed future strategy with group management and PE investor
Prepared French social plan, budget and timing
Negotiated with unions and managed local & national politicians to obtain plan approval three months after announcement
Ensured no strike actions and executed priority customer production orders during shutdown in record time with perfect quality
Communicated successfully with customers, suppliers, stakeholders and government officials
Executed production transfers to other sites and/or profitable sale to third parties
Established new sales & service organization in France
Sold existing French site within three months at 20% above market price and moved remaining business to a new location
Simon Sommer
CEO and Co-Founder
Last position:
CEO and Co-Founder at DISO Ventures
- Set up DISO Ventures as an “AI Builder”, leveraging corporate venture building expertise and generative AI capabilities.
- Business development, acquisition, and project management with multiple clients as well as key account & senior stakeholder management.
- Delivered several projects from German Mittelstand up to DAX 40.
- Developed proof of concept for an AI sales solution for a company in the pharmaceutical industry.
- Excerpt client references: on request.
Stephan Hartl
President (CEO)
Last position:
President (CEO) at Lenermia eG
- Consulting, CFO-as-a-Service, Interim Management
- Support of companies from various industries (e.g. IDnow, Vizrt, EasyVista)
- (Financial) controlling, FP&A, process optimization, PMI
Ralf Raabe
Interim Management & Consulting
Last position:
Interim Management & Consulting at Dr. Raabe Consult
- Interim management and consultancy services
Ilker Baltaci
Freelance Mobile Developer
Last position:
Freelance Mobile Developer at B+S Banksysteme AG
Developed the SecureMessaging Android and iOS app (authorization medium) to approve transactions in M.M.Warburg Bank's online banking.
Developed a performance-optimized stock trading app for iOS and Android.
Designed architecture for scalable white-label applications in the iOS and Android environment for banks and financial institutions.
Refactored outdated libraries and modernized the codebase of existing apps.
Migrated from XML to Jetpack Compose (Android) and from Xib/Storyboards to SwiftUI (iOS).
Advised on security issues and implemented CI pipelines to optimize workflows.
Discover over 15,000 top freelancers
Chief Executive Officers statistics
Typical experience
21 years
Average project duration
4.9 years
Certifications per freelancer
2
Top business areas
Strategy, Product Development, Project Management
Top industries
Professional Services, Information Technology, Retail
Most common languages
German, English, French
Bachelor's degree or higher
95%
Master's degree or higher
64%
Doctorate
9%
Salary / Daily Rate Distribution
The chart shows how the daily rates of freelancers in this role are distributed, based on recent contracts on our platform. Each bar covers a rate range — its height shows how many freelancers charge within that range. Actual rates may vary depending on seniority level, experience, skill specialization, project complexity, and engagement length.
Average rates for Chief Executive Officers & Seniority distribution
Rates are based on recent contracts and do not include FRATCH margin.
The average daily rate is the mean of all daily rates from recent contracts of comparable freelancers on our platform.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Got questions? Learn key details about FRATCH right now
A Chief Executive Officer covers the top-level responsibilities that keep the business moving in the right direction. That usually includes strategy, leadership, stakeholder management, financial oversight, and key external communication. In a freelance setup, the scope is often focused on a transition, a turnaround, or a specific growth phase.
An interim CEO is the better choice when the company needs leadership now, but the long-term profile is still open. That is common after a departure, during a restructuring, or while the board searches for a permanent successor. A freelance CEO can keep decisions moving without forcing a rushed appointment.
Not always. In some companies, especially in Germany, the title managing director is used for the legal executive lead, while a general manager may cover a narrower operational role. A freelance Chief Executive Officer is usually expected to take the broadest view: strategy, leadership, and accountability for the whole business.
Look for sharp business judgment, clear communication, and real leadership under pressure. A strong CEO can work with financial data, align senior teams, and make decisions that hold up in front of owners, investors, and staff. Industry knowledge helps, but execution strength matters more.
Early deliverables are usually a clear assessment of the business, top priorities, and a decision-making rhythm. The Chief Executive Officer should quickly identify what blocks performance and what needs immediate action. In many cases, the first outcome is a focused plan that the board and leadership team can actually run.
Both are possible, and the right mix depends on the situation. For leadership gaps, investor meetings, or sensitive restructurings, on-site presence in Munich is often important. For strategy work, board preparation, or early-stage support, remote collaboration can work well if communication is disciplined.
Start with their track record in situations similar to yours. A strong CEO can explain how they handled pressure, what decisions they made, and what changed because of their work. Also check how they speak with founders, board members, and senior teams, because trust is central in this role.
Freelance chief executive work is about responsibility, not just advice. You need to be comfortable with visibility, conflict, and hard decisions, often with limited time to build trust. In Munich, it also helps to understand how local companies communicate, especially when dealing with family ownership, industrial operations, or international teams.
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We always have the time for a call or email!
Philipp Thomaschewski
FRATCH CEO
