Hire the best Managing Directors in Frankfurt matched in minutes from 15,000 CVs with the power of AI
Need leadership for a market entry, turnaround, or interim vacancy? Strong managing directors combine P&L ownership, team leadership, and stakeholder management with clear decisions and calm execution. Find vetted, available freelance experts fast.
About the role
What they do
A managing director takes full ownership of a business unit, country operation, or company setup. In freelance work, they are often brought in to steady leadership, bridge a vacancy, or move a critical agenda forward.
- Set direction, priorities, and operating cadence
- Lead finance, sales, operations, and key functions
- Align management, board, owners, and external partners
- Drive change, restructuring, or growth programs
- Keep performance visible and decisions moving
When to bring one in
Companies hire a freelance managing director when leadership cannot wait for a long permanent search. This is common during transitions, rapid growth, integration after an acquisition, or when a local market needs stronger control.
In Frankfurt, demand often comes from finance, professional services, logistics, industrial groups, and international subsidiaries that need a senior leader who can work across German and English. Some clients want a hands-on interim managing director; others look for a general manager or country manager with the same level of accountability.
Core skills
A strong candidate combines strategic thinking with day-to-day execution. They need credibility with executives and teams, but also enough structure to run the business cleanly.
- P&L ownership and budget control
- Change management and organizational leadership
- Commercial focus across sales and customer relations
- Experience with restructuring, scaling, or market entry
- Strong communication with boards, investors, and works councils where relevant
Typical deliverables
The right managing director does not just advise. They make decisions, create alignment, and leave the organization in a clearer state than they found it.
Common deliverables include leadership assessment, an action plan for the first phase, revised reporting lines, turnaround measures, partner negotiations, and a stable management rhythm. In many cases, they also prepare the handover to a permanent leader or support the search for one.
Tools and context
Managing directors work with the tools that keep the business measurable and steerable. That often means financial reports, KPI dashboards, CRM and ERP systems, project plans, and board materials.
Their scope varies by industry and situation. One assignment may focus on a subsidiary in Germany, another on a product launch, a factory footprint, or an office in Frankfurt that needs closer cross-border coordination. The best freelancers adapt quickly and keep the focus on outcomes, not titles.
What good looks like
A strong managing director is decisive, visible, and practical. They understand when to step in deeply and when to delegate.
They are good at:
- building trust fast
- making tough calls without losing the team
- translating strategy into clear actions
- handling sensitive stakeholders with care
- keeping momentum during periods of uncertainty
For hiring companies, the key is not just seniority. It is proven judgment, calm leadership, and the ability to deliver in a real business setting.
Meet FRATCH Managing Directors
Saqib Javed
Senior Solution & Software Architect · Interim IT Lead · AI/Agentic AI, Cloud, .NET
Last position:
AI Developer / AI Engineer (Lead) at KOM4TEC GmbH
- Conceptual design and implementation of modular AI assistants for sales and business processes in the Microsoft ecosystem (Agentic AI, Copilot extensions)
- Frontend architecture and development with React + TypeScript for embedded chat and assistant surfaces (streaming UI, hooks, React Query, OpenAPI clients)
- Enterprise-level agent development: reusable skill/agent library, MCP server, review and compliance gates
- LLM integration into the user experience: Anthropic (Claude), OpenAI, tool use, RAG pipelines, prompt engineering, guardrails
- Architecture and code review consulting as well as mentoring in the AI development team
- Integration with Microsoft Graph, Power Platform, and Azure services
- Technologies: React, TypeScript, Anthropic Claude, OpenAI, MCP, RAG, Microsoft Graph, Power Platform, Azure
Thomas Hühne
Project Manager | M&A & Regulatory
Last position:
Project Manager & Senior Business Analyst at HSBC INKA
KVG Carve-Out – Project Manager for Workstream Compliance, Legal, Front Office & Audit
- Responsible for project management of the workstream incl. planning, tracking, dependency management, and decision preparation
- Structured the target process landscape after the carve-out; facilitated workshops to define roles and interfaces with Compliance, Legal, Front Office, and Audit
- Created policies & guidelines for investment processes; ensured audit-ready documentation and coordinated cross-functional stakeholders
- Coordinated dependencies and deliveries between workstreams; reported to project lead and SteerCo
Steffen Eschinger
Stream Lead, Consultant FI, CO, MM, SD
Last position:
Domain Lead FI, CO, HR, Investor Relations at Douglas Group
- Process Owner SAP ERP 8 FI, CO & Investor Relations
- Process Owner SAP Success Factors
- Responsible for 4 teams, 39 FTE
- Full responsibility for end-to-end processes in SAP for Finance, Controlling, HR, Investor Relations
- Interface to certified public accountants for Finance IT (KPMG)
- ITIL-4 implementation for service request change request and project management with Service Now (Project Manager)
Markus Kollers
Founder & Managing Director
Last position:
Founder & Managing Director at Qrafto UG (haftungsbeschränkt)
- Founding and overall responsibility: Built a B2B SaaS platform for craft and construction businesses from the first line of code to the live launch with the first paying customer; solo founding including full establishment of the company and all business processes.
- Product and technology responsibility: Designed and developed the entire product.
- Infrastructure & DevOps: Managed a Kubernetes/Helm environment including CI/CD, monitoring, and security architecture; GDPR-compliant platform decisions and evaluation of EU-hosted LLM providers.
- Agentic coding as a productivity multiplier: Set up a productive multi-agent environment with Claude Code: up to eight parallel agents in isolated Git worktrees, Telegram-based remote control and monitoring, MCP integrations (e.g., Context7, Playwright for E2E tests), and a builder-critic pattern with custom slash commands (/research, /plan) and compressed project contexts. Result: development throughput on par with a small team while working solo.
- Go-to-market: Independently developed positioning, SEO and direct mail playbook, as well as target group analysis.
- Regulation & finance: Implemented e-invoicing requirements (ZUGFeRD/XRechnung), set up accounting and payment infrastructure, and managed funding and financing options.
Marcus Niebudek
Founder and Managing Director
Last position:
Founder and Managing Director at DR. Niebudek Capital GmbH
- Asset management and investment company
- Management of financial assets, real estate, and corporate investments
Gregor Schibblock
Senior Project Manager
Last position:
Senior Project Manager at DEKA NXT
- Brand design and execution across all event areas at Kap Europa for the DekaBank Future Conference
- Production management and logistics
Frank Wieland
Founder and Managing Director
Last position:
Founder and Managing Director at Wieland Baumanagement Consult GmbH & Co.KG
- As a reliable contact, we support you in all phases of project development – from the initial concept to turnkey handover.
- Our services include careful review of sites, coordination of necessary expert reports and investigations, and solid project cost estimation.
- We handle coordination with authorities, public bodies, and future tenants, and manage the tendering and awarding of general contractor services.
- Even during construction, we stand by your side with professional site supervision, quality- and schedule-compliant project execution, and the final acceptance and handover to the user.
- Founder and Managing Director Dipl.-Ing. (TU) Dipl.-Kfm. (FH) Frank D. Wieland has extensive experience in leading national and international construction projects, particularly in the role of general contractor.
- He has successfully managed demanding construction projects in various industries, combining technical expertise with business insight.
- A special focus is on advising and managing project developments in the logistics real estate sector – from site search through construction implementation to acceptance and handover to the tenant.
- His interdisciplinary qualification and hands-on approach make him a dependable partner for demanding developers and investors.
- Client representation
- Project management
- Buyer and tenant management
- Change management
- Contract management
- Crisis management
- Logistics warehouses
- Global hospital projects
- Office high-rises
- Public buildings
- Sports arenas
- DGNB and ESG
Christian Gasche
Freelance Journalist
Last position:
Freelance Journalist at Adel & Link GmbH & Co. KG
- Wrote specialist articles on management consulting, digitalization and IT topics
Ulf Schiebener
Innovation Manager
Last position:
Innovation Manager at Claas
- Steer innovation projects for AI-based systems, focusing on plant detection technology for agricultural applications.
- Champion digital transformation initiatives within software departments, advocating for Agile methodologies and Scrum-based workflows.
- Analyze and optimize team infrastructure, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and strategic development.
- Pioneered integration of AI technology in agricultural equipment, significantly advancing precision farming techniques.
- Designed a cloud-based dashboard platform, facilitating real-time data access and decision-making for field management.
- Developed camera-based GPS systems for tractors, enhancing field analysis capabilities.
- Created and implemented AI interfaces for pre-processing image data, ensuring seamless statistics delivery to the cloud via LTE.
- Innovated cloud-based dashboard platforms, introducing cutting-edge technology concepts and coordinating cross-functional teams to execute project visions.
Arne Hook
Managing Director
Last position:
Managing Director at HebRech GmbH & Co.KG
Restructuring the company in a challenging market environment while facing a decline in customers
Introducing clear processes, optimizing workflows, implementing financial guidelines and compliance from the corporate group
Setting up marketing automation for existing customers to curb customer loss
Building an active sales channel for additional services such as the telematics infrastructure
Establishing and launching an agile development process
Merging the Munich site (MUC Vorhammer GmbH) into HebRech GmbH & Co. KG to improve efficiencies
Developing and launching a cloud-based documentation software for midwives
Sabine Haas
Interim Marketing / Sales Manager and Freelance Executive Assistant
Last position:
Interim Key Account Manager at Haleon / Glaxo Smith Kline
Gabriel Kruppa
Studio Management, Production Management, Directing, Project Management
Last position:
Studio Management, Production Management, Directing, Project Management at Financial Services
- Concept and technical planning of an internal corporate studio
- Negotiations with necessary internal departments
- Purchasing of technical equipment and licenses
- Set-up and implementation of an operating concept
- Regular production management and directing in cooperation with external event technicians
Knut Michelberger
Managing Director & CFO (ad interim)
Last position:
Managing Director & CFO (ad interim) at Formel D Group
- Quality service provider for the automotive industry, €350 Mio. sales
- Rebuilt global finance and controlling organizations to meet private equity standards
- Functioned as interim CFO during periods of transition under 3i ownership
- Member of the supervisory board and Chair of audit committee
Olga Laukart
CEO
Last position:
CEO at AssuranceLab UG
- Design, implementation, and testing of internal control systems / US SOX
- Consulting and compliance
Oliver Gerrits
Project Manager
Last position:
Lecturer (Master's Programs) at Macromedia University of Applied Sciences
- Design and delivery of courses in master's programs
- Teaching practical content at the intersection of strategy, brand, and management
- Supervising project work and practice-oriented case studies
- Teaching focus: Customer Experience Management; Strategic Marketing & Brand Management; Project Management; Presentation and decision preparation
- Strong practical relevance with real company examples
Discover over 15,000 top freelancers
Managing Directors statistics
Typical experience
24 years
Average project duration
4.7 years
Certifications per freelancer
2
Top business areas
Information Technology, Operations, Project Management
Top industries
Information Technology, Professional Services, Banking and Finance
Most common languages
English, German, French
Bachelor's degree or higher
93%
Master's degree or higher
46%
Doctorate
7%
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 Managing Directors & 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
Need clarity? Check out our simple overview of FRATCH
A Managing Director takes responsibility for the business as a whole or for a major part of it. That can include P&L ownership, team leadership, stakeholder management, and delivery of a turnaround, growth plan, or restructuring. In freelance form, the role is usually focused on a clear business situation rather than long-term hierarchy.
A freelance managing director makes sense when leadership is needed now and the company cannot wait for a full search. This is common during a vacancy, a founder transition, a crisis, or a market change that needs immediate control. It also helps when the company wants an experienced leader without committing to a permanent structure too early.
Look for strong commercial judgment, financial control, and the ability to lead managers through change. A solid Managing Director also needs board-level communication, clear decision-making, and enough operational depth to understand what is happening day to day. Industry knowledge helps, but execution skills matter more.
Not always, but the roles can overlap. A managing director usually carries the broadest accountability and often has formal legal or executive responsibility, while a general manager or country manager may focus on a specific market or unit. The right title depends on the company structure and the scope of authority.
In Frankfurt, the role often sits between local teams, German-speaking stakeholders, and international leadership. A freelance managing director may work on-site for key meetings and then handle planning, reporting, and follow-up remotely. That mix is useful when speed matters and the company needs both presence and flexibility.
Expect a fast review of the situation, a clear action plan, and visible priorities for the management team. A Managing Director may also refine reporting, set up weekly leadership routines, and address urgent issues in sales, operations, or finance. The output should be practical and easy to act on.
Check for evidence of similar situations, not just senior titles. A strong candidate can explain how they handled change, built alignment, and improved performance without hiding behind theory. References should confirm that the Managing Director was trusted by leadership and effective with teams.
Freelance managing director work is usually intense, visible, and politically sensitive. A good assignment gives clear authority, access to data, and direct contact with decision-makers. It also requires discipline, because the role is judged by business impact, not by long onboarding or internal comfort.
Request a Free Demo
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Philipp Thomaschewski
FRATCH CEO
