Interim Change Communication Manager for Nordic Transformations Projects

Quickly. Effectively. And with great results.

CUSTOMER: SCHIBSTED
POSITION: INTERIM CHANGE COMMUNICATION MANAGER
TASK: HANDLE COMMUNICATIONS AND PROCESSES IN CONNECTION WITH NORDIC TRANSFORMATION PROJECTS
DURATION: 6 MONTHS + ADDITIONAL 6 MONTHS

The Situation: Heading for Nordic Transformation

Schibsted was embarking on ambitious growth and a large corporate transformation within the Nordics. The transformation projects focused on creating the processes and the platforms to ensure a Nordic organization with even closer ties.

An interim change communication manager was needed to identify communications processes, handle concrete communication tasks, establish effective channels, manage stakeholders etc. in connection with the various transformation projects in the Nordic region.

The right candidate did not need to document specific experience from the media industry. However, it was crucial that the candidate should have experience working cross-border in the Nordics – showing an exceptional good understanding of the communicative requirements in the build-up of a cross-cultural Nordic organization.

Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), Lotte Præstgaard, was responsible for finding the right candidate within a very short period of time.

Within 4-5 days Christian approached me with three eligible candidates. Different profiles but all with seniority, a high degree of professionalism, and lots of experience working with Nordic organizations and Nordic transformation projects.

The Process

We were amid an organizational change – a transformation – and we needed a highly experienced communication candidate to take charge of all the communicative aspects of the transformation projects. This was not a competence we could source internally, and consequently I approached Christian Hvashøj Schaarup from Nextt Management. Having known him for 10 years, I knew that Christian would be the one to present us to the right interim candidate for the job.

Within 4-5 days Christian approached me with three eligible candidates. Different profiles but all with seniority, a high degree of professionalism, and lots of experience working with Nordic organizations and Nordic transformation projects. They were all capable of handling the job so it came down to chemistry and a proper fit for our organization.

Why Nextt Management?

Christian Hvashøj Schaarup is known for making things happen and for getting things done. Quickly. Effectively. And with great results. One of his most admirable skills is his ability to quickly understand my organization, the job, what I want as a customer and what I am looking for in a candidate. He presents me to three candidates who match my requirements and are perfectly suitable for the job.

One of the candidates was selected for the job – on an interim contract. Initially for 6 months and later prolonged for additional 6 months.

The Advantages of Interim

One of the primary advantages of choosing an interim solution is speed. A speedy solution to a problem, a challenge or a job which needs to be taken care of within a short time frame.

You might also embark on an interim solution if you do not completely know what you want long-term but here and now – short-term – you know what is needed to succeed and conquer the first milestone or two.

About Schibsted

Schibsted is one of the biggest media groups in Scandinavia and owns among others the leading newspapers Aftenposten and VG in Norway and Aftonbladet and Svenska Dagbladet in Sweden. The Schibsted Group also owns several leading digital platforms in the Nordics among others DBA and Bilbasen in Denmark. Innovation and growth are in the Schibsted DNA – exemplified in the continuous investments in great digital companies and the rethinking of financial services.