Verband Fach- und Führungskräfte

What Verband Fach- und Führungskräfte does

Verband Fach- und Führungskräfte e.V. (VFF) is a Cologne-headquartered, Berlin-registered professional association (eingetragener Verein) founded in 2009 that serves as Germany's largest executive network, claiming approximately 70,000 members across the ULA umbrella. Its core offering is a tiered annual membership (free for students up to age 31, €96–€144 for early-career members, €240 for standard professionals, €144 for ULA dual members, and €120 for retirees and self-employed) that bundles labor and social security law advice, written/oral legal support, and full legal protection (contract review, employer negotiation, labor court representation) under graduated eligibility windows of 1, 3, and 6 months of membership respectively.

The product surface is built on three layers: (i) core legal advisory and Sprecherausschuss (executive committee) consulting delivered by in-house Fachanwalt für Arbeitsrecht Gerhard Kronisch, (ii) add-on advisory partnerships covering career counseling (Monika Puls-Rademacher), executive placement (The Boardroom), tax planning (Runte & Partner), financial planning (FVP), estate law (Grey & Grundhoff), late-career coaching (stefan müller personalperspektiven), and accounting/compliance certifications (WIRTSCHAFTScampus), and (iii) content and event channels including a multi-platform podcast, FKI seminars, the annual Sprecherausschusskonferenz with VAA, and the ULA Deutscher Führungskräftetag. The organization operates with a 1–10 person staff (Managing Director Eva Jocks, legal advisor Gerhard Kronisch, plus accounting, events, and administration roles) split across offices in Cologne (headquarters and legal service) and Berlin, with no proprietary technology products and a closed member login portal as the primary digital surface.

The business model is subscription-recurring membership dues, supplemented by fee-based advisory services where members pay discounted rates versus non-members (e.g., €129 vs. €199 for career counseling). Distribution is community-led: direct sign-up via the website and phone, partner-association referrals through VAA, syntra, and ULA, and employer-side referrals via Sprecherausschüsse. VFF operates under the ULA federation for political advocacy and participates in the CEC European Managers network for EU-level representation, but restricts service to members employed at companies headquartered in Germany where German labor law applies.

Name

Verband Fach- und Führungskräfte

Legal name

VFF – Verband Fach- und Führungskräfte e.V.

Website

https://vff-online.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Verband Fach- und Führungskräfte (VFF) is a Cologne-based German professional association founded in 2009 that provides tiered annual-membership legal advice, labor court representation, career services, and networking to professionals and executives, claiming approximately 70,000 members across its ULA federation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Köln

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Annual Membership Dues: VFF's primary revenue stream is annual membership fees charged at tiered rates based on member category (standard professional, early career, student, retiree, dual ULA member). Membership provides access to legal advice, career services, seminars, and networking.
2. Fee-based Advisory Services: Certain services such as career counseling and application reviews are offered at discounted member rates (e.g., career counseling at €129 for members vs. €199 non-members; premium application check at €129 vs. €199 non-members). These are supplementary revenue streams.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

VFF is a German professional association that provides members with legal advice, negotiation support, and full legal representation (including labor court proceedings) in German labor and social security law. The core membership also includes advisory and training services for executive committees (Sprecherausschüsse), career counseling, application reviews, tax and financial planning support, access to discounted seminars and conferences (FKI, VAA, ULA), and a closed member portal with exclusive content and a podcast series.

Product overview

VFF operates as a professional association providing a unified membership service portfolio for executives and specialists in Germany. The core offering centers on legal advice and representation in labor and social security matters, supplemented by specialized consulting services for speak committees (Sprecherausschüsse), career development, financial planning, tax and inheritance advice, and professional education through the Wirtschaftscampus. Additional services include seminars and events via the FKI partnership, executive placement consulting through The Boardroom, career counseling, and podcasts. The organization offers tiered membership pricing for students, professionals, beginners, and ULA dual members, with a closed member portal for exclusive content access.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Rechtsberatung und -vertretung (Legal Advice and Representation) Legal advice and representation service for VFF members covering German labor and social security law, including contract review (employment contracts, termination agreements, references), employer negotiations, and labor court representation. Advice available from 1 month of membership, support from 3 months, and full legal protection from 6 months.
• Beratung für Sprecherausschüsse (Executive Committee Advisory) Special advisory services for elected executive committees (Sprecherausschüsse) under the Sprecherausschussgesetz (SprAuG), including advice and training on co-determination rights, support during elections, assistance drafting rules of procedure, drafting of executive committee agreements (e.g., salary systems, company pension schemes), and access to VAA conferences.
• Seminare & Veranstaltungen (Seminars and Events via FKI) Seminars and events delivered through the FKI (Führungskräfte Institut) partnership covering negotiation techniques, career development, etiquette, balance sheet law, and specialized training for executive committee and works council members, available at discounted member rates.
• Placement Beratung für Executives (Executive Placement Consulting) Executive placement consulting delivered through the partnership with The Boardroom, providing career coaching, personal marketing strategy development, and access to a network of corporate decision-makers for top executives seeking their next senior position.
• Karriereberatung & Bewerbungs-Check (Career Counseling & Application Review) Career counseling and professional application document review by Monika Puls-Rademacher (HR professional, career coach, organizational psychologist). Members receive career counseling at €129 (vs €199 for non-members), the application check at €39 (vs €49), and the Premium Check at €129 (vs €199).
• Steuerberatung (Tax Consulting via Runte & Partner) Tax consulting services provided through Runte & Partner (led by Dipl.-Kfm. Niclas Müller) at reduced hourly rates for VFF members, covering tax planning on severance packages, stock options, partial retirement models, supervisory board compensation, and retirement income.
• Erbrechtliche Beratung (Inheritance Law Consultation) Inheritance law consultation delivered through the partnership with Fachanwaltskanzlei Grey & Grundhoff, providing initial telephone consultations and full advisory and representational services nationwide in estate planning matters at discounted rates for VFF members.
• Finanzplanung (Financial Planning via FVP) Financial planning services delivered through FVP Gesellschaft für Finanz- und Vermögensmanagement mbH, including investment strategies for severance packages, retirement income planning, risk minimization, and portfolio optimization. Members receive a free initial consultation and access to investment products at favorable conditions.
• WIRTSCHAFTScampus – Certified Accounting & Compliance Training Certified education programs in accounting and compliance offered through WIRTSCHAFTScampus, including Certified Junior/Senior Accountant, Certified Compliance Officer, Certified IFRS Accountant, and Certified ESG Compliance Officer programs. VFF members receive a 10% discount on all programs.
• Beratung Dritte Lebens(arbeits-)Phase (Third Career Phase Consulting) Consulting service for the 'third life (work) phase' delivered through stefan müller personalperspektiven GmbH, offering personal and professional assessment, decision-making support, and implementation guidance. VFF members receive 20% discount (plus VAT) on all packages.
• Mitgliederbereich (Closed Member Portal) Closed member-only area accessible via login credentials, providing exclusive information, resources, and services including further details on Sprecherausschuss special memberships and the placement consulting procedure.
• VFF Podcast Series VFF's own podcast series covering executive-relevant topics including multiple episodes on Labor Law Myths ('Irrtümer im Arbeitsrecht'), discussions of the Wim Hof Method for executive performance, and other professional development topics. Available on Spotify, Amazon Music, and Audible.
• Für Studierende (Free Student Membership Program) Free membership program for students (up to age 31 during first degree) with proof of current enrollment, providing legal advice on first employment contracts, discounted application checks, and access to the VFF professional network. Transitions to €96/year during the first professional year and €144/year during the second professional year.

Quantifiable outcome

• Members receive legal representation and above-average severance settlements compared to standard market conditions, including six-figure settlement amounts.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• syntra – Das Management-Netzwerk Deutsche Telekom e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016syntra represents Deutsche Telekom executives and is a key partner under the ULA umbrella. Since 2016, VFF has managed syntra's secretariat (Geschäftsstelle), providing administrative and operational support. VFF Managing Director Eva Jocks also serves as head of syntra's secretariat, creating an integrated operational relationship.
• VAA – Fach- und Führungskräfte ChemiecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVAA represents approximately 30,000 executives in the chemical industry and adjacent sectors. It shares the ULA federation with VFF. VAA's experienced labor law experts support VFF's legal expert Gerhard Kronisch during his absence in member consultations. VFF and VAA jointly organize the annual Sprecherausschusskonferenz.
• ULA – Deutscher FührungskräfteverbandflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerULA is VFF's umbrella federation, representing approximately 70,000 executives through 14 member associations. VFF is a member organization of ULA and participates in ULA events including the annual Deutscher Führungskräftetag. ULA serves as the political voice for executives in Berlin and Brussels.
• CEC – European ManagerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCEC is the European umbrella federation for executive associations, representing approximately 1 million managers across EU member states. ULA (and by extension VFF) is a member of CEC. CEC coordinates cooperation among national executive associations and advocates on behalf of managers at the European Commission, European Parliament, and trade union confederations.
• FKI – Führungskräfte Institut GmbHcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFKI is a service company of VAA and the ULA federation, offering seminars for executives on topics such as negotiation techniques, career development, etiquette, and balance sheet law. VFF members attend FKI seminars at discounted member rates. FKI is the primary seminar and events partner for VFF's professional development offerings.
• The BoardroomminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Boardroom is VFF's career partner for top executives seeking their next senior position. The firm assists with defining career goals, developing personal marketing strategies, and connecting with decision-makers in companies. VFF members receive discounted consulting rates.
• Monika Puls-Rademacher (Career Coach)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMonika Puls-Rademacher, a HR professional, career coach, and organizational psychologist, offers VFF members career counseling at €129 (vs. €199 non-members) and application checks at €39 (vs. €49 non-members). The Premium Check at €129 (vs. €199 non-members) includes detailed guidance on optimizing application materials.
• Runte & Partner (Tax Consulting)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerRunte & Partner, led by Dipl.-Kfm. Niclas Müller, provides tax advisory services to VFF members at reduced hourly rates. Services include tax planning on severance packages, stock options, phased retirement models, supervisory board compensation, and pension income.
• FVP Gesellschaft für Finanz- und Vermögensmanagement mbHminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFVP provides financial planning services to VFF members, including investment strategies for severance packages, retirement income planning, risk minimization, and portfolio optimization. Members receive a free initial consultation.
• Fachanwaltskanzlei Grey & GrundhoffminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerThrough a partnership with the specialized law firm Grey & Grundhoff, VFF members receive discounted initial telephone consultations and full advisory and representational services nationwide in estate planning matters.
• stefan müller personalperspektiven GmbHminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerStefan Müller, with over 30 years of experience in career development, offers a specialized counseling package for the 'third life (work) phase' — personal and professional assessment, decision support, and implementation. VFF members receive 20% discount plus VAT on all packages.
• WIRTSCHAFTScampusminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerWIRTSCHAFTScampus is a private educational institution specializing in accounting and compliance training, offering certified programs such as Certified Junior/Senior Accountant, Certified Compliance Officer, and Certified ESG Compliance Officer. VFF members receive a 10% discount on all programs.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• BDU - Bundesverband Deutscher Unternehmensberater: BDU is the German Federal Association of Management Consultants, providing professional standards, advocacy, and services to senior consultants and executives. While more industry-focused, it shares VFF's model of serving a defined professional/executive segment with tiered membership benefits.
• Hartmannbund: Hartmannbund is the German professional association for physicians, providing labor law advice, contract review, and career services. It is directly comparable to VFF in business model and service portfolio but serves the medical profession.
• syntra - Das Management-Netzwerk Deutsche Telekom: syntra is a ULA member association representing Deutsche Telekom executives. Since 2016, VFF has managed syntra's secretariat and Managing Director Eva Jocks serves as syntra's office head, making syntra both a partner and a structurally integrated peer organization.
• Marburger Bund: Marburger Bund is the professional association for doctors in Germany (~130,000 members) and operates under a very similar model: labor law representation, contract review, career services, and political advocacy for highly qualified professionals. It is a comparable membership-association model targeting a different profession.
• Deutscher Journalisten-Verband (DJV): DJV is the German journalists' association, providing labor law advice, professional representation, and advocacy for journalists and editors. It uses the same membership-based service model as VFF but specialized for media professionals.
• Vereinigung Cockpit (VC): VC is the German pilots' and flight engineers' association (~9,600 cockpit crew members) and a ULA member. It is directly comparable to VFF as a sector-specialized executive/professional association providing labor law representation and political advocacy for senior employees.
• VAA - Fach- und Führungskräfte Chemie: VAA is the largest ULA member association (~30,000 executives in the chemical industry) and a direct peer to VFF, offering the same labor law, career, and networking services to executives — but specialized in chemistry. VFF and VAA jointly organize the Sprecherausschusskonferenz and VAA provides backup legal expertise to VFF.

Broad incumbents

• CEC - European Managers: CEC is the European umbrella federation for executive associations, representing ~1 million managers across EU member states. ULA (and by extension VFF) is a member of CEC, making CEC a parallel broad incumbent at the European level with overlapping executive representation and advocacy.
• ULA - Deutscher Führungskräfteverband: ULA is VFF's umbrella federation, representing ~70,000 executives across 14 member associations. While ULA serves as VFF's parent in the federation, it also acts as the political advocacy voice for executives in Berlin and Brussels, overlapping with VFF's broader mission.

Others

• FKI - Führungskräfte Institut GmbH: FKI is the training and seminar service company of VAA and the ULA federation, providing executive development courses. VFF members access FKI seminars at member rates, making FKI both a partner and an adjacent education-services peer serving the same executive market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInde.linkedin.com/company/vff-verband-fach-und-f%C3%BChrungskr%C3%A4fte

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Verband Fach- und Führungskräfte