How many interim managers are active in Austria? What is their annual fee volume? Which interim roles are particularly in demand?
There are no official surveys or statistics on interim management in Austria, which means that interim managers and providers must rely on surveys and qualified estimates. Our partner Christian Kniescheck has compared seven recent surveys and evaluations for you:
- Survey by DÖIM – Austrian Interim Management Association (as of April 2025; 59 interim managers)
- Study by Maria Bühler / Bühler Management (as of April 2025; 87 interim managers, 30 clients)
- AIMP Market Study for the DACH Region (survey conducted in Q1/2025; 550 interim managers, 20 providers, and 70 clients)
- Heuse Market Study on Interim Management in the DACH Region (survey conducted in Q1/2025; 619 interim managers)
- INIMA Evaluation for Europe (as of March 2025; Austrian data provided by DÖIM)
- Survey by DDIM – German Interim Management Association (survey conducted from December 2024 to February 2025; 720 interim managers, 26 providers)
- Meta-analysis by Ralf H. Komor, based on four recent market studies (DDIM, Heuse Interim, AIMP, and EO Executives)
Since the survey results vary significantly and the sample sizes for Austria are relatively small, we have cross-checked them with our own data from our talent pool and our CRM system (as of May 2025).
How large is the Austrian interim management market?
In Austria, there are approximately 1,500 interim managers. However, not all of them work full-time in interim management—many are also active in consulting and advisory services. Each year, between 1,000 and 1,100 interim mandates are carried out in Austria. The total annual fee volume, including provider margins, amounted to approximately €263 million in 2024.
Below you find the key figures for the Austrian interim management market in 2024, presented in tabular form:
Number of interim managers in Austria: approx. 1,500
Number of interim mandates per year in Austria: 1,000 to 1,100
Average daily rate (excluding provider margin): € 1,275
Share of mandates filled directly: 67 %
Share of mandates filled via a provider: 33 %
Average provider markup: 30 %
Average duration of a mandate: 10.5 months
Average fee volume per mandate: approx. € 250,000
Average utilization rate of interim managers: 65 %
Size of the interim management market in Austria: approx. € 263 million
According to DDIM, the German Interim Management Association, the average utilization rate in Germany is 86 %, whereas in Austria it is only 65 %. This aligns with our own experience, as many interim managers in Austria work as consultants or advisors between assignments. Additionally, the supply of interim professionals has increased: since the COVID-19 pandemic. Many experienced executives have chosen this career path.
Another notable observation is the relatively low share of mandates filled through providers. In Germany, this share has already reached 50 %, whereas the Austrian market is still less developed in this regard. The relatively small and transparent nature of the Austrian market likely contributes to the fact that still two-thirds of assignments are arranged directly between clients and interim managers.
The average daily rate of € 1,275 (excluding provider margin) is slightly lower than in Germany, where DDIM reports an average of € 1,326 per day. However, day rates vary significantly depending on experience and function. Interim executives in Finance, General Management, and Restructuring command substantially higher rates than functional specialists or HR managers.
The Austrian market remains highly fragmented, with no provider holding more than a 5% market share. Purely online platforms play a minimal role in Austria. Both clients and interim managers prefer real personal support from a provider’s experienced partner over automated online matching. This personal approach includes the selection of the top interim executives, the project launch and support during the execution of the mandate.
How large is the Austrian executive interim management market?
The supreme discipline of interim management is executive interim management — referring to C-level positions, with or without formal statutory corporate function. This segment accounts for approximately 25 % of all mandates, meaning that around 265 CEOs, CFOs, COOs, CTOs, CROs, CIOs, CHROs, managing directors, and board members are appointed as interim managers in Austria each year.
Given the significantly higher daily rates at the C-level area, the annual fee volume of the Austrian executive interim management market amounts to approximately € 93 million.
The market leader in executive interim management in Austria is Management Factory – A Valtus Company.
If 25 % of the Austrian interim management market falls under the executive segment, what makes up the remaining 75 %?
- 45 % is attributed to department, division, and team leaders (i.e. second, third, and fourth management levels)
- 20 % is allocated to program and project management roles (including change, transformation and business development— often with blurred lines to consulting)
- 10 % covers staff, expert and advisory functions
Which functions are most in demand in Austria?
In Austria, the highest demand is for positions in General Management (e.g. Managing Directors, Site Managers, Program Directors) and Finance (e.g. CFOs, Heads of Controlling, Accounting), each accounting for approximately 30 % or around 300 mandates per year. Chief Restructuring Officer (CRO) roles, with around 75 mandates per year, are also included within these two categories.
Operations (including supply chain management and logistics), HR, and IT each represent about 10 % or approximately 100 mandates annually.
The remaining 10 % of mandates in Austria are spread across functions such as Sales, Marketing, Quality Management, Business Development, and R&D.
How old and how experienced are interim managers in Austria?
The majority of interim managers in Austria are over 50 years old, as extensive life and leadership experience is a key prerequisite for this role. However, there is a growing interest among younger leaders, especially high potentials, in pursuing a career in interim management. The proportion of female interim managers in Austria remains steady at approximately 16 %.
Which industries rely most heavily on interim managers in Austria?
The strongest demand for interim management in Austria is in the machinery and plant engineering sector, followed by the automotive and automotive supplier industries. Other sectors that regularly engage interim managers are construction, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, telecommunications, electrical engineering, energy suppliers, paper and packaging, consumer goods, and trade.
Less common are mandates in tourism and entertainment, banking and insurance, healthcare and education, mining, agriculture and forestry. While interim management has become standard practice in the private sector (including corporations, SMEs, and family businesses), the use of interim managers in the Austrian public sector remains the exception.
What is the outlook for 2025?
The year 2025 has started well in Austria and across Europe in general. Accordingly, we—and most providers and surveys—expect significant market growth this year. The main drivers of demand for interim managers are the high need for restructuring, turnarounds, and transformations. Demand for program and project managers is also increasing, while the market for pure vacancy bridging is expected to remain stable.
Conversely, the market for HR interim managers is weakening, and demand for ESG managers is declining. These areas are increasingly characterized by part-time mandates and project-based assignments. However, demand for interim executives in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in Austria is expected to rise in 2025, particularly in the context of strategic transactions, post-merger integrations, and distressed M&A.