Business Manager in the spotlight: Sarah

Sarah started her career as a commercial engineer, specialising in accounting and auditing. With this background, she joined PwC, where she worked in the financial sector for almost six years. There, she developed a broad range of hard and soft skills, from project management to team coaching.

“I learnt a great deal at PwC, both technically and personally. I learnt to deal with the complexities of different companies’ businesses, and I also developed my communication and coaching skills,” Sarah says.

During her time at PwC, Sarah discovered that she enjoyed the moments of direct collaboration with clients the most. “I soon realised that I’d rather sit alongside my client to understand the business and its processes than end up doing the analytical work behind my laptop,” says Sarah. This laid the foundation for her later move into a commercial role.

The role of Business Manager

Sarah’s search for a new challenge led her to Hyphen, where she could combine her finance background with her needfor more human interaction and sales. “I’d been considering looking for a new role for a while. At Hyphen, I found a team of business managers with similar backgrounds, which convinced me to make the move,” Sarah explains. It was a leap into the unknown, but a well-considered choice that, to this day, has never disappointed her for a moment.

As a business manager, Sarah focuses on the Flemish Brabant and Brussels region. She currently manages a portfolio of around 70 clients and oversees some 40 ongoing finance projects. Her day-to-day tasks range from meetings and networking with CFOs and interim managers to launching new projects, monitoring progress and holding feedback sessions. “Every day is different, which is what makes the role so fascinating,” Sarah explains .

When a client reaches out with a specific need within their finance organisation, Sarah first takes on an advisory role. Drawing on her extensive market knowledge, she can advise on the most suitable profile, the corresponding rate, and other relevant factors needed to find the best solution for the client.

Her background in finance is a huge help in this regard. “Thanks to my experience, I can have in-depth discussions with our finance professionals and clients. I understand their needs and can match the right projects with the right people, leading to successful outcomes. This direct impact gives me a lot of satisfaction in my job."

A culture where entrepreneurship comes first

“At Hyphen, there’s an entrepreneurial culture with a strong sense of responsibility. Everyone helps one another and is open to feedback. We set high standards for our consultants and are renowned for our quality and project follow-up,” says Sarah. This culture ensures that clients and interim managers return regularly, which is a testament to the strong reputation Hyphen has built up in the market.

Sarah get a lot of satisfaction from her work. “Every successful project with a satisfied client and interim manager or consultant energises and motivates me. The variety in my role and the opportunity to continually learn about the challenges in finance and for businesses in general keep things exciting and educational,” she says enthusiastically.