Interim or Outsourced
HR Director
Two formats, depending on your needs
Missing an HR Director, for a few months or for the long term? We propose an experienced HR leader in the format that fits your situation.
Interim HR Director
An HR Director takes the role, usually full-time, for a set period. They cover an absence, lead a reorganisation or bridge the gap until a permanent HR Director arrives.
Outsourced HR Director
An experienced HR Director works part-time, a few days a month or a week, over the long term. It suits companies that need real HR expertise without creating a full-time HR Director position.
Not sure which one you need? We help you choose during our first conversation.
When do you need an interim HR Director?
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Sudden departure or extended absence of your HR Director
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Restructuring, reorganisation or redundancy plan
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Merger, acquisition or integration of teams
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Tense social climate or difficult relations with employee representatives
When to choose an outsourced HR Director?
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Your company is growing and the HR function is not yet structured
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You have an administrative HR team that needs a leader
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You want to secure your practices: contracts, Swiss labour law, pay policy
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You want to set up solid HR practices: annual reviews, salary grid, HR policy
What your HR Director takes charge of
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Leading the HR function and its team
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Advising senior management and reporting to the board
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Supporting managers through organisational change
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Key hires and talent management
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Pay, Swiss labour law and relations with employee representatives
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A structured handover to your permanent HR Director, if you hire one
The profiles we propose
HR Directors and HR managers who have held the role before and are used to working alongside senior management. Depending on your situation, we also propose complementary HR roles: HR Business Partner, head of recruitment, compensation specialist.
Looking for a project manager to implement an HRIS instead? See our Interim Project Manager page.
How an assignment works
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We take the time to understand your situation and help you choose between an interim and an outsourced HR Director.
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We search our network of more than 1,000 validated experts.
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We introduce a short selection of HR Directors we know and recommend.
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We check backgrounds and references.
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The Links handles the contractual framework. Your HR Director can start as soon as possible.
Why The Links
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Reactivity: deployment possible very quickly.
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Network: more than 1,000 validated experts with verified references.
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Transparency: you pay for the hours actually worked, with no hidden costs.
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HR advisory included with your selection: at no extra cost.
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A wider choice: independent transition managers and consulting firms in a single selection.
Assignment examples
Interim HR Director: departure in the middle of a reorganisation
Industrial company in Vaud, around 200 employees. The HR Director leaves just as management launches a reorganisation. Our interim HR Director is in place within a week for a six-month assignment: new organisation rolled out, managers supported, handover to the newly hired HR Director.
Outsourced HR Director: structuring the HR function
Services company in Geneva that grew from 40 to 120 employees in three years, without an HR Director. An outsourced HR Director works two days a week: HR processes formalised, salary grid, annual reviews, then recruitment of an in-house HR manager.
Interim HR Director: integrating two teams after an acquisition
Group in French-speaking Switzerland that acquired a competitor. Five-month assignment: harmonised working conditions, communication to the teams, retention plan for key people.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an interim and an outsourced HR Director?
An interim HR Director takes the role for a set period, often full-time. An outsourced HR Director works part-time over the long term, without you having to create a position.
How quickly can an HR Director start?
Very quickly, depending on the situation. In most cases, we introduce a selection of profiles within the week.
How long does an assignment last?
An interim assignment lasts from a few weeks to several months. An outsourced HR Director can support you for as long as you need.
How is the assignment billed?
You only pay for the hours actually worked, with no retainer and no hidden costs. The rate is agreed before the start.
What is the contractual framework?
A tripartite framework brings together your company, The Links and the expert or their firm. The Links sets up the contract.
How do you protect confidentiality?
We only share a profile with the expert's agreement, for a specific assignment. Discussions about your situation remain confidential.