Interim Change Communication Manager for Nordic Transformations Projects
Quickly. Effectively. And with great results.
- CLIENT: SCHIBSTED
- POSITION: INTERIM CHANGE COMMUNICATION MANAGER
- 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 — all senior, professional, and with extensive experience working on Nordic organizations and transformation projects,”
The Process
We were amid an organizational change – a transformation – and we needed a highly experienced communication professional 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 & Mason. Having known him for 10 years, I knew that Christian would be the one to present us with 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 extensive 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 & Mason?
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 always presents me with three candidates who match my requirements and are perfectly suitable for the job.
One of the candidates was selected for the position – on an interim contract. Initially for six months, and later extended for an additional six months.
The Advantages of Interim
One of the primary advantages of choosing an interim solution is speed — a fast and effective solution to a problem, challenge, or position that needs to be filled within a short timeframe.
You might also choose an interim solution when you are not yet sure what you want long-term — but you know what is needed here and now to succeed and reach the first milestones.
About Schibsted
Schibsted is one of the largest 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 — including DBA and Bilbasen in Denmark.
Innovation and growth are part of Schibsted’s DNA — exemplified by their continuous investments in outstanding digital companies and their rethinking of modern financial services.
