Situation

Following the acquisition of the company by a European group, a carve-out from the former corporate structures took place. As a result, many existing processes and roles no longer applied in the new organisation. The People & Culture (P&C) team in Switzerland was significantly reduced and operated with only rudimentary structures. At the same time, expectations from the group were high and often time-critical.

Task

The interim manager, working closely with the newly appointed P&C Manager Switzerland, was mandated to stabilise operations, rebuild the local P&C team and re-establish effective processes. This had to be achieved while aligning with group requirements and respecting the specific characteristics of Swiss corporate culture.

Action

The interim manager focused on strengthening the foundations of the P&C function while simultaneously restoring trust in the Swiss team across the organisation. To prevent overload and ensure effective business support, priorities were set pragmatically.

Key actions included:

• Creating clear structures: Processes were simplified, redefined and implemented to ensure clarity and operational reliability.
• Restoring knowledge and continuity: Gaps resulting from the carve-out and outsourced activities were addressed, improving handovers with external partners.
• Bridging cultural differences: Open and transparent communication was used to create awareness of Swiss leadership culture and local expectations.
• Balancing group and local needs: Collaboration with the group was actively managed to align corporate requirements with local realities.

Result

The organisation benefited from increased reliability, clear structures and measurable progress. Trust in the Swiss P&C function was restored, enabling the team to operate effectively and regain credibility within the group.

Key milestones achieved:

• Successful rebuilding of the P&C team and full handover of responsibilities to a stable and functioning local organisation
• Project leadership for the transition to a new external payroll provider, completed successfully within two months

Successful interim management is not limited to addressing immediate challenges; it also creates sustainable structures for the future. In this assignment, a strong and fully operational P&C team was established, capable of meeting group expectations while preserving the specific characteristics of Swiss corporate culture. The project illustrates that openness, clear structures and cultural understanding are essential success factors in complex, cross-border transformations.