More and more organisations are hiring a transition manager who is responsible for one or more internal transitions. But what exactly does a transition manager do? What skills should have in this role? And how is the demand for interim transition managers looking? Christophe Paquay, senior manager at international recruitment firm Robert Walters, regularly hires transition managers and provides insights.
What exactly does a transition manager do?
"An interim transition manager can be used for various changes, such as restructuring, implementing new technologies, mergers and acquisitions, or introducing new business models," Christophe explains. "As a transition manager, you are responsible for leading and coordinating these changes within the organisation. Specifically, this often includes identifying bottlenecks, developing strategies to address them, communicating with stakeholders and guiding employees through the change processes."
Transition managers often work closely with different departments within the organisation - such as human resources, finance and operational departments - to ensure that changes run smoothly and that the organisation's goals are achieved.
Transitions are almost always complex, which means that, as a transition manager, you are involved in this for a longer period of time. After all, you are the one with final responsibility.
How does it differ from change management?
"Transition management and change management, although closely related, each have their own focus and purpose within organisational change," Christophe clarifies. "Transition management focuses on understanding the broader context of change, including external environmental factors and its impact on the organisation as a whole. Change management, on the other hand, focuses more on specific changes within the organisation, such as engaging employees, dealing with resistance, managing communication and training, and so on. In short, while transition management focuses on the overarching process of change, change management focuses more on the operational aspects."
What skills does a successful interim transition manager have?
Christophe: "A good transition manager not only has highly developed hard skills, but is also an expert in planning, budget management and other executive matters. You really need to be able to keep an overview of the full picture. Since transition processes by definition involve unexpected situations, a healthy dose of flexibility and perseverance is also desirable. In addition, a number of human skills, such as communication skills and diplomacy are crucial. You need to be able to get colleagues - both junior and senior - on board with the transition."
What does the future hold for transition management?
"Many organisations will face mandatory transitions in the coming years due to new laws and regulations. Think of companies having to implement the latest version of SAP by 2026 or the increasing number of organisations facing ESG reporting. Issues such as cybersecurity, AI and automation are also bringing organisational changes. A recent survey by Robert Walters shows that 25% of interim management assignments last year were issued on the grounds of restructuring or transition. Employers mainly appreciate the quick impact, high expertise in change & transformation and flexibility that an interim manager brings. We therefore expect an increasing demand for interim transition managers in the coming years," Christophe concludes.
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