Creativity and diversity in Corporate Communications

Franziska Funke works in corporate communications at Rödl & Partner. In an interview, she tells us what she appreciates about Rödl & Partner and her team.

published on 6 April 2020

You have been with the firm for 5 years. What do your tasks look like and how has your activity developed over time? How did Rödl & Partner support you with it?

In January 2014 I started as an intern in Corporate Communications and supported the Forum Global, the largest client event of Rödl & Partner. Right from the start, I was completely integrated into the team and immediately felt at home. Soon it was clear that I would be employed on a permanent basis and that I would organise the event as deputy head (and one year later as head). Other projects were added, e.g. the employee magazine, also soon as editor in chief. That's the great thing! If you express the wish to take on more tasks and/or more responsibility, you'll get the opportunity and above all the trust and the tailwind to do so.

After 3.5 years I left the team for 15 months parental leave and now work part-time. Meanwhile, the team and I kept in touch and the re-entry went without a hitch. I was involved in choosing which tasks to take on in the future. Of course, I cannot continue the event part-time in the same way. Instead, at my own request, I have now taken on "smaller" projects and support, for example, my colleagues in the Internet team.

What has been your professional highlight in recent years?

Organising the Forum Global, our biggest event with appr. 350 external guests, for the first time as head and getting cheered for it at the annual gala dinner in front of partners and heads of offices, was clearly my personal highlight.

Getting back from parental leave, strolling through the firm and being welcomed by so many people, was also very touching.

Describe the firm with one word:

family atmosphere

How did you experience the selection process at Rödl & Partner?

I myself experienced only really the application process for the internship. I liked the fact that the boss wanted to get to know me personally in the second round, even though I was "only" an intern. For the permanent position we then had a rather relaxed discussion about future fields of work and the usual topics such as salary etc.

In general, I think it's good that not an anonymous (and usually very strict) HR department sifts out, but every team sees every application for them. After all, only the team can really say whether someone fits, even if not all required qualifications are fulfilled.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

There is something different to do every day and new projects are always coming up. We in Corporate Communications can be creative, we know the whole firm and everything comes together here.