CASE: From interim strategist to Group CIO - how he turned understaffing into long-term success
När IT-ledningsgruppen hos en av Nordens ledande aktörer inom sin bransch behövde omedelbar avlastning klev Jonathan Oldenburg in som interim IT-chef via Interim Search. Idag är han permanent Group CIO och har själv valt att ta in en interimslösning till sin nya organisation.
With a solid skill set, a background in systems development, and close ties to business development, Jonatan quickly built a strong rapport. After initially joining as Head of Systems Development and subsequently taking over IT operations for one of the business units, Jonatan eventually stepped into the role of Acting Group CIO—a position he was offered on a permanent basis shortly thereafter.
”Trust is built through delivery”
Having held every role in the process—as an interim consultant, a permanent manager, and now as a client—has given Jonatan unique insight into what it takes for an external leader to succeed in the long term.
– It’s all about customization and delivery. As an interim consultant, you must be able to contribute to IT management right from day one. You can’t just focus on delivery alone; you have to bring other strategic skills to the table. Trust isn’t something you get for free—you build it solidly through your delivery. If you don’t earn that trust, then you won’t be asked to stay, "explains Jonatan.".
Strategic peace of mind and flexibility for the client
The circle was complete when Jonatan recently needed to hire an IT director for his new organization—and chose to work with Interim Search to fill the position.
– As the client, the interim solution gave me immediate peace of mind in my new role as Group CIO. In order for me to look ahead, I need to be able to let go of my old responsibilities, which meant I needed a senior replacement in place quickly. While the consultant holds the fort, we can assess the future. Now that we’re looking for a permanent hire, we can adjust the scope of responsibilities and seek out different skill sets—for example, placing even greater emphasis on business partnerships.
The CIO of the Future Speaks the Language of Business
Jonatan views the fact that an increasing number of senior leadership roles are initially filled on an interim basis as a natural development in a changing market where clients are seeking a more secure recruitment process with less risk.
– More than ever, the CIO of the future is a strategic business partner. It’s about fully integrating IT into the language and goals of the business. We’re also in the midst of a massive paradigm shift with AI, where there’s a great deal of interest in increasing maturity across the entire organization. Combine that with the increased importance of information security—especially in critical infrastructure—and we can see exactly where the market is headed, Jonatan concludes.
