Christian Zierau: Kiel's Finance Chief & City Transformation

Jacey Hyatt 14 May 2025

Is Kiel, a city known for its maritime history and vibrant culture, truly at the forefront of modern governance? The answer, according to many insiders, lies in the dynamic leadership and forward-thinking strategies of figures like Christian Zierau, the city's Kämmerer (Treasurer) and Head of Personnel.

Christian Zierau, a prominent figure in Kiel's city administration, is making waves with his innovative approaches to municipal governance. He currently serves as the Stadtrat (City Councillor) for Finance, Personnel, Order, and Fire Brigade in the state capital of Kiel. Zierau's role is pivotal in shaping the financial and administrative landscape of the city, particularly as Kiel navigates a period of transformation and modernization. His responsibilities encompass not only managing the city's finances but also overseeing personnel matters, ensuring public order, and directing the fire brigade.

Category	Information
Name	Christian Zierau
Title	Stadtrat (City Councillor) for Finance, Personnel, Order, and Fire Brigade
City	Kiel, Germany
Responsibilities	Financial Management, Personnel Oversight, Public Order, Fire Brigade
Key Initiatives	Modernization of City Administration, Digitalization of Services
Contact	Available through the Kiel City Administration website
Reference Link	www.kiel.de

Zierau's influence extends beyond the confines of traditional city management. He is a vocal advocate for equality, emphasizing that gender equality is not just a policy but a lived reality in Kiel, much like in Hamburg. His commitment to progressive values is also reflected in his adherence to the Federal Constitutional Court's ruling on the third gender option, ensuring that administrative actions are grounded in sound legal principles.

In a recent interview, Zierau addressed the challenges facing Kiel's financial health, including the deficit in the 2024 budget and the city's significant debt burden of 660 million euros. He didn't shy away from proposing unpopular decisions, signaling a willingness to make tough choices to ensure the city's long-term financial stability. This stance is particularly relevant given the ongoing crisis and labor shortages that are impacting the operational capabilities of municipalities.

One of Zierau's notable achievements is spearheading a rapid transformation process within the city administration. Through a new strategy, Kiel has managed to modernize its services and adapt to the evolving needs of its citizens. This transformation includes a focus on digitalization, streamlining bureaucracy, and improving citizen services. As he puts it, the aim is to create a modern administration in Kiel that prioritizes citizen services and supports employees through change processes.

Zierau's vision for Kiel is one of proactive adaptation and innovation. He believes that "administration is in transformation, which requires new formats and impulses." He cites the example of a project that went from idea to implementation in just four weeks, demonstrating the agility and responsiveness of a modern administration. This project involved recruiting 25 young people and offering them permanent positions in the fall of 2020, showcasing a commitment to investing in the next generation of public servants.

His dedication to modernization is further highlighted by comments from colleagues, who note that Zierau has been instrumental in advancing the digitalization of schools and implementing simulation tools. He sees the establishment of a new department as a way to further improve the city administration's performance, both internally and externally.

Zierau's career trajectory reflects a deep interest in finance and its interconnectedness with various aspects of society. He recognizes that finance plays a crucial role in areas such as health, construction, economy, social services, and culture. This holistic understanding informs his approach to managing Kiel's finances and ensuring the city's sustainable development.

On February 1st, Christian Zierau celebrated his first year in office at the Kiel City Hall. To mark the anniversary, he received praise from council factions and his superiors. His unanimous election was a decision no one regretted, underscoring his effectiveness and popularity within the city administration.

Beyond his official duties, Christian Zierau is also known for his personal attributes. Described as being "good on foot" and keeping fit with mental arithmetic, he embodies a proactive and sharp-minded approach to his work. He also actively uses his Facebook profile to connect with people named Christian Zierau and others. He enjoys engaging with the community and staying connected with the world around him. The administration in Kiel offers a variety of services, which it is actively seeking to improve. The goal is to find a face for the city and for the employees who are currently undergoing changes.

Moreover, he also says that, “Christian Zierau has done a lot in recent years to modernize the city administration, for example with citizen services and digitization.” This statement emphasizes his commitment to enhancing public services through technological advancements. He aims to create a more efficient and user-friendly administration for the citizens of Kiel.

“Communal action in new times” has been effectively implemented for four years, using new approaches, such as flexible positions. This is expected to pay off for Kiel in the coming years. He is focused on ensuring that the city's budget is balanced each year, as required by law. In the face of ongoing crises and labor shortages, which are impacting the operational capabilities of municipalities, Zierau advocates for new formats and impulses in administration.

In terms of democracy, Zierau’s belief is that democracy must be lived and transformation must be shaped together. This sentiment was expressed at the council meeting on the 16th. As a result, Christian Zierau was proposed as City Councillor for Finance, Personnel, Order, and Fire Brigade at the council meeting in December. There was hope for broad approval of the proposal in the council.

During an interview, Christian Zierau led reporter Katrin Hafemann into the former air raid shelter under Kiel City Hall, which has since been rented out to a club operator. This highlights the city’s efforts to repurpose spaces and adapt to changing needs. As the head of the new department, Stadtrat Christian Zierau sees the new establishment as a way to further improve the city administration's performance, both internally and externally.

Additionally, significant progress has been made as the state capital has digitalized schools and implemented simulation tools. He emphasized that he interviewed Christian Zierau from the Kiel city administration about talents, teams, and the future of work. Christian Zierau has much to say about "team and talents.” This interview focuses on the city of Kiel, specifically the city administration, as well as #citytalents, new learning, and the future. This is emphasized through the new focus of modernizing current learning.

Christian Zierau’s work in Kiel also includes the complexities of international relations. In one instance, Councillor Christian Zierau affirmed that his teams in Kiel are doing everything they can to resolve the case of Mansor Fatah and intend to deliver a travel document for foreigners to the Somalian. This reflects the city's commitment to addressing individual cases and providing necessary assistance to those in need.

Christian Zierau’s dedication to his role and his vision for the future of Kiel’s city administration. With his focus on modernization, digitalization, and sustainable financial management, he is shaping the city’s future in a positive and impactful way. The unanimous praise he receives from colleagues and superiors is a testament to his effectiveness and his commitment to serving the citizens of Kiel. The efforts that have been put in place are intended to create modern services in Kiel.