Julia Rüterbories · Interim AI management · Hamburg and remote
- Start within 2 weeks
- Honest assessment without AI hype
- On site in Hamburg-Altona and remote
Interim AI management for SMEs
I become your central contact for all AI questions, right away and without a new full-time hire. In parallel we build your own AI role. The goal: you no longer need me.
Sound familiar?
- Every department is trying out AI, but nobody has the overview.
- Ideas and requests land with management without anyone evaluating them.
- Employees use private AI accounts with company data (shadow AI).
- You don't know what is really worthwhile and what is just hype.
- An in-house AI role is planned, but it takes months until it is filled and the person is up to speed.
The result: lots of activity, little impact, and risks that nobody has on their radar.
What is interim AI management?
Interim AI management means: an external expert takes over the role of the central AI function in the company for a fixed period. She collects and prioritises all AI initiatives, sets rules for their use and supports the first projects. At the same time she builds up the in-house role and hands knowledge and structures over to someone from the company.
Unlike classic consulting, the collaboration does not end with a report but with a working in-house role.
What I take on for you
- Central point of contactAll AI questions from management and departments go through one place.
- Assessment and roadmapWe assess your AI maturity and define the next steps.
- PrioritisationEvery idea is rated by benefit, effort and risk. “Not worth it” is a result too.
- Rules and AI literacyAI policy, data protection and training so your team uses AI safely, including with a view to the AI Act.
- Project supportSelected AI projects from the idea to everyday use.
- Building your AI roleJob profile, onboarding and handover to your in-house person.
How the collaboration works (example)
- Months 1 to 3: ClarityAssessment, roadmap, prioritised requests and at least one measurable result, for example an evaluated tool or a first implemented use case.
- Months 4 to 9: ImplementationOne or two AI projects are running, rules are in place, the team is trained and the in-house role is filled.
- From month 10: HandoverYour in-house person takes over step by step. I support the onboarding and withdraw.
The duration depends on your pace. If the in-house role is not filled yet, the support continues. We agree on the exact approach together.
Why not just consulting?
Classic consulting
- analyses, recommends, leaves
- knowledge stays with the consultancy
- ends with a report
Interim AI management
- takes over the role, builds up, hands over
- knowledge is systematically transferred to your team
- ends with a working in-house role
How do we start?
- Intro call30 minutes: Where do you stand, what is your goal, does it fit? Free of charge.
- Workshop “What do we want to do with AI?” (optional)One day with your team. Collect ideas, evaluate them and set the first one to three topics.
- Interim AI managementOngoing support with a fixed time budget per month.
You book the support for a fixed period, usually 6 months to start. We define the exact scope after the intro call.
Who is this for?
It fits if you …
- run a small or mid-sized company,
- want to use AI strategically but have nobody in-house for it yet,
- are planning an AI role and don't want to wait for months,
- care about keeping the knowledge in-house.
It doesn't fit if you …
- only want a one-off consultation. Then the workshop or the project consulting is the right start,
- already have an experienced AI lead,
- cannot free up time for the topic internally.
About me
I'm Julia Rüterbories, interim AI manager in Hamburg-Altona. I bring several years of experience in process automation with AI and in product and project management, always at the interface between technology and the business departments. I have been a certified AI trainer since 2023 and have advised companies and freelancers on AI since 2024.
My approach is pragmatic, honest and without hype.
Frequently asked questions about interim AI management
What does an interim AI manager do?
For a fixed period she is the central point for all AI topics in the company. She collects and prioritises initiatives, sets rules for use, supports projects and builds the in-house role that takes over the topic afterwards.
Do we need an AI officer?
An AI officer is not required by law. The AI Act does, however, require companies to take measures to promote their employees' AI literacy. A central role is the simplest way to organise and document that.
What does the AI Act require from us?
Article 4 has applied since February 2025. Anyone who uses AI in a company must promote their employees' AI literacy. After the adjustment by the Digital Omnibus, not every person has to reach a specific level, but the obligation to take measures remains. GDPR and clear internal rules come on top.
General information, not legal advice.
We hardly use AI. Do we need this anyway?
Usually yes. Even without official tools, employees often use private AI accounts. That can only be regulated if someone has the overview. How much support makes sense we clarify in the intro call.
What does interim AI management cost?
We clarify that in the free intro call. Afterwards you get a concrete proposal with scope, timeframe and terms.
How long does the support last?
You book a fixed period to start, usually 6 months. Afterwards we decide together how to continue.
Will we become dependent on you?
No, the opposite is the goal. From the start we build your in-house AI role and hand over knowledge, documents and ongoing projects.
What if we can't fill the in-house role?
Then the support continues until you have found the right person, or we agree on a longer collaboration.
Do you work on site or remotely?
Both. My office is in Hamburg-Altona. For workshops and meetings I'm happy to come to you. Everything else also works remotely, across Germany.
Let's talk
In 30 minutes you'll know whether interim AI management fits your company. Honest and without sales pressure.