Succeeding through doubled expertise and shared responsibility

Their Path to Jobsharing

Tanja and Carolin share a position in the area of Project Performance and Strategy Controlling. Their journey into jobsharing began when Tanja, after a year of parental leave, was looking for a leadership role in Controlling. Tanja recalls, "HR suggested the possibility of jobsharing, and immediately I thought of Carolin as a potential partner." With a quick decision, they went through the application process and received the job offer within 24 hours.

Benefits of Jobsharing

Jobsharing not only offers the opportunity to balance family and career but also creates a special added value: two areas of expertise are combined in one position. By combining their strengths, Carolin and Tanja have significantly expanded their professional expertise.

"We complement each other perfectly," explains Tanja. "Carolin, as a generalist, excels in various areas of controlling, such as controlling, IT, and strategy, and also brings experience in Integrity. My strengths are in the broader finance sector – from audit and taxes to controlling, accounting, and M&A – as well as legal matters. Together, we bring two competency profiles to one role and can efficiently cover a broader range of tasks."

Jobsharing not only creates a better work-life balance but also offers new opportunities for professional development. Tanja and Carolin both work 30 hours per week and enjoy the added flexibility. Tanja spends her free Mondays with her daughter at a children's sports school, while Carolin enjoys time with her family on Fridays.

"Jobsharing offers the ideal work-family balance," says Tanja. Carolin agrees, adding, "This balance is crucial to remain productive and motivated while handling a demanding role – without having to sacrifice too much time with family. Without jobsharing, I wouldn't have been able to take on this position."

Effective Collaboration and Mutual Support

Together, Tanja and Carolin lead a team of eleven people, are responsible for budgets, conduct development discussions, and advise on their team's direction. Their partnership is built on trust, continuous communication, and clear division of tasks. "We have daily phone calls and weekly meetings with our team leads and senior management. We also use tools like shared OneNote to stay organized," explains Tanja.

One of the biggest benefits they highlight is the mutual support and the sparring-partner concept. The opportunity to exchange ideas, give feedback, and brainstorm with a colleague on equal terms – much like working with a coach – is invaluable. "This type of support and sparring is often lacking at higher levels," notes Tanja.

Challenges of Jobsharing

While jobsharing offers many advantages, it also presents some challenges, particularly in a fast-paced environment. "It requires a lot of coordination and regular alignments to ensure our decisions are in sync. We make a conscious effort to align our strategies and actions," explains Tanja.

Jobsharing at a senior management level demands clear communication and flexibility, but the personal and professional fulfillment that results is immense. The ability to balance career and family time is a great advantage for both. "For me, it's a gift. I wouldn't want to miss either my job or my family, and jobsharing offers a wonderful opportunity to combine both," says Carolin.

Tanja and Carolin’s story shows how jobsharing can work successfully. It highlights the many advantages of this flexible work model, especially for women who aim to take on leadership positions while maintaining a balanced career and family life. Their experience also shows how jobsharing can boost both job satisfaction and productivity.