Chief Information Officer (CIO)

Location: Bologna, Italy
Compensation: €150,000–€200,000 gross annual salary, plus bonus

The Opportunity

We are supporting an established, internationally operating pharmaceutical group in the search for a Chief Information Officer (CIO) to lead the evolution of its technology landscape and support the organisation's next phase of growth.

The Group operates in the animal health sector, with activities spanning pharmaceutical research, development, manufacturing and international commercial operations. With a strong industrial footprint and a growing international presence, the organisation is investing in the capabilities, systems and digital infrastructure required to support its continued expansion.

The CIO will play a strategic role in aligning technology with business priorities, strengthening IT governance and driving digital transformation across a complex, international environment.

Working closely with the executive leadership team, the successful candidate will define and execute the Group's IT strategy, modernise its technology architecture and ensure that digital capabilities support operational efficiency, business scalability, innovation and effective decision-making.

This is a senior leadership opportunity for an experienced technology executive who combines strategic vision with strong execution capabilities and understands the demands of an industrial, science-driven and internationally distributed organisation.

Key Responsibilities

1. IT Strategy & Digital Transformation

• Define and execute the Group's IT strategy, ensuring alignment with corporate objectives and long-term business priorities.

• Develop a technology roadmap covering infrastructure, enterprise applications, data, cybersecurity and digital innovation.

• Identify opportunities to leverage technology to improve operational efficiency, productivity and business performance.

• Lead digital transformation initiatives across corporate, commercial, manufacturing and research functions.

• Establish IT governance frameworks, investment priorities and performance indicators to measure the effectiveness of technology initiatives.

• Act as a strategic advisor to the executive team on technology trends, investment decisions and digital opportunities.

2. Enterprise Applications & Business Systems

• Oversee the evolution and integration of the Group's enterprise application landscape, including ERP and other core business platforms.

• Ensure that business systems effectively support finance, procurement, supply chain, manufacturing, sales and international operations.

• Drive application standardisation and process harmonisation across the Group's entities and geographical locations.

• Evaluate opportunities to modernise legacy systems and improve integration between applications.

• Ensure that technology platforms are scalable, reliable and capable of supporting future business growth.

• Collaborate with business leaders to translate operational requirements into effective technology solutions.

3. Manufacturing, Supply Chain & Industrial Technology

• Support the digital evolution of manufacturing and industrial operations through appropriate technology platforms and integrated processes.

• Ensure effective coordination between enterprise IT and production-related systems, working with the relevant operational and engineering stakeholders.

• Promote greater visibility across manufacturing, planning, inventory, procurement and distribution processes.

• Support the adoption of digital solutions that improve operational performance, traceability and supply chain efficiency.

• Ensure that technology initiatives are aligned with the requirements of a regulated pharmaceutical manufacturing environment.

• Strengthen the integration of systems supporting industrial sites and international production facilities.

4. Data, Analytics & AI

• Define the Group's data strategy, establishing appropriate standards for data governance, quality, ownership and accessibility.

• Improve the availability and consistency of management information across business functions and international entities.

• Promote the use of analytics and business intelligence to support strategic and operational decision-making.

• Identify opportunities to apply artificial intelligence and automation to improve productivity and streamline business processes.

• Establish appropriate governance, security and risk-management principles for the adoption of emerging technologies.

• Ensure that data and digital capabilities can scale alongside the organisation's international development.

5. Cybersecurity, Infrastructure & IT Governance

• Oversee the Group's IT infrastructure, cloud strategy, networks, workplace technology and core IT services.

• Establish and maintain appropriate cybersecurity policies, controls and incident-response capabilities.

• Ensure business continuity, disaster recovery and resilience across critical systems and international operations.

• Manage IT risk, access controls, security standards and technology compliance requirements.

• Develop appropriate governance frameworks, service-management processes and performance metrics.

• Ensure effective management of external IT service providers and technology partners.

6. International IT Operations & Integration

• Coordinate technology strategy and execution across the Group's international subsidiaries and operating locations.

• Establish appropriate standards for systems, processes, infrastructure and IT service delivery while accommodating local business requirements.

• Lead the technology integration of newly acquired entities and support the harmonisation of applications and infrastructure.

• Identify opportunities to consolidate platforms, improve operational consistency and capture synergies across the organisation.

• Build effective relationships with local management teams to ensure successful adoption of Group-wide technology initiatives.

• Ensure that IT capabilities support the Group's international expansion and evolving organisational structure.

7. Budget, Investment & Vendor Management

• Develop and manage the Group's IT budget, investment plans and technology expenditure.

• Prioritise investments based on strategic value, operational impact, risk and total cost of ownership.

• Monitor financial performance, identify efficiency opportunities and ensure effective allocation of resources.

• Manage relationships with technology vendors, implementation partners and external service providers.

• Lead strategic negotiations and ensure that suppliers deliver against agreed service levels and contractual commitments.

• Establish clear business cases and measurable outcomes for major technology investments.

8. Leadership & Organisational Development

• Lead and develop the IT organisation, ensuring the appropriate structure, capabilities and resources are in place to support business needs.

• Establish clear responsibilities, objectives and performance expectations across IT teams.

• Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement and service excellence.

• Strengthen collaboration between IT and business functions, ensuring technology is viewed as a strategic enabler rather than solely a support function.

• Develop internal capabilities while identifying opportunities to leverage external expertise where appropriate.

• Communicate technology priorities, investment decisions and delivery progress effectively to executive stakeholders.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will be an experienced technology executive with a strong track record of leading IT strategy, enterprise systems and digital transformation in an international industrial or pharmaceutical environment.

Required Experience

• Significant experience in senior IT leadership positions, such as CIO, IT Director or Group IT Director.

• Proven experience defining and implementing IT strategies in complex, multi-site and internationally distributed organisations.

• Strong expertise in enterprise applications, ERP systems, application integration and IT architecture.

• Experience supporting manufacturing, supply chain and industrial operations through technology.

• Demonstrated track record in digital transformation, systems modernisation and process harmonisation.

• Experience managing cybersecurity, infrastructure, IT governance and business continuity.

• Strong capabilities in IT budget management, investment planning, vendor negotiations and resource allocation.

• Experience leading and developing multidisciplinary IT teams.

• Proven ability to engage with executive stakeholders and translate business priorities into technology roadmaps.

Industry Background

Experience in pharmaceuticals, life sciences, manufacturing or other regulated industrial environments will be particularly valuable.

Exposure to animal health, pharmaceutical production, R&D-intensive organisations or international manufacturing groups would be an advantage.

Experience with regulated environments, quality-management requirements and the technology implications of pharmaceutical manufacturing will be especially relevant.

Key Competencies

• Strategic leadership: Ability to connect technology investments with business objectives and long-term growth.

• Digital transformation: Proven capability to modernise systems, processes and technology operating models.

• Industrial and operational understanding: Ability to align IT solutions with manufacturing, supply chain and commercial requirements.

• International management: Experience coordinating technology initiatives across multiple countries, entities and cultures.

• Business partnership: Strong stakeholder-management skills and the ability to influence decision-making at executive level.

• Financial and commercial acumen: Ability to manage budgets, evaluate investments and maximise technology value.

• Change management: Capability to drive adoption, build consensus and implement transformation across the organisation.

• People leadership: Ability to develop teams, strengthen internal capabilities and establish a high-performance culture.

The Opportunity

The CIO will join an established international group at an important stage in the evolution of its technology capabilities.

The role offers the opportunity to shape the Group's IT strategy, modernise its enterprise systems and strengthen the digital infrastructure supporting research, manufacturing and international commercial operations.

The successful candidate will have significant influence over technology investment priorities and the opportunity to build a scalable, secure and integrated IT environment that supports the organisation's long-term ambitions.

Location: Bologna, Italy.

Compensation package: €150,000–€200,000 gross annual salary, plus bonus.

In-Fund Corporate Development Role

We are partnering with a leading Private Equity fund who is looking to grow its in-fund Corporate Development team. This is joining its portfolio Value Creation team as the number two to the Head of Corporate Development.

This is a unique opportunity to join a Private Equity fund directly, working across multiple portfolio companies to drive their inorganic growth strategies.

Unlike a traditional Corporate Development role within a single portfolio business, this position offers exposure to multiple businesses, management teams and acquisition strategies, with significant autonomy and end-to-end deal ownership.

The Opportunity:

• Work directly alongside the Head of Corporate Development, supporting M&A execution and origination across a portfolio of high-growth businesses.
• Lead transactions end-to-end, from origination, valuation and due diligence through to SPA negotiations, completion and integration.
• Partner closely with portfolio CEOs, CFOs and senior management teams to shape and execute buy-and-build strategies.
• Identify and originate acquisition opportunities, building proprietary target pipelines across multiple sectors.
• Present investment opportunities to portfolio company Boards and the fund's Investment Committee.
• Work within a lean, highly entrepreneurial PE environment, with significant responsibility and exposure from day one.

Ideal Background:

• Strong M&A experience from Investment Banking, Corporate Finance, Big 4 Deals or in-house Corporate Development.
• Proven track record of executing transactions through to completion, with strong financial modelling and commercial capabilities.
• Comfortable managing multiple transactions independently and engaging with senior stakeholders.
• Exposure to Technology, Services, or other traditional sectors would be advantageous, although not essential.
• Entrepreneurial, commercially minded and keen to take ownership in a fast-paced environment.

Why Consider This Role?

A rare opportunity to work in-fund, rather than within a single portfolio company, gaining exposure to multiple buy-and-build strategies and working directly with senior investment and portfolio leadership.

Group Chief Financial Officer

Reporting to: Group CEO

Exposure: High interaction with shareholders, Board, senior leadership and operational stakeholders across a Pan-European group

Business Overview

London-headquartered, PE-backed Pan-European blue-collar business services group with approximately £200m of revenue and operations across multiple European markets.

The Group operates within a fragmented sector and is pursuing an ambitious buy-and-build strategy, with further acquisitions planned to accelerate growth, expand geographic coverage and increase market share.

Role Context

This is a senior Group CFO role within a complex, acquisitive Pan-European platform. The CFO will play a central role in shaping and executing the Group's growth strategy, working closely with the CEO, Board and shareholders across M&A, integration, performance improvement, financing and exit planning.

The role requires an experienced PE-backed CFO who can operate effectively across multiple jurisdictions and businesses, balancing strategic leadership with strong commercial and financial oversight.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic leadership: Partner with the Group CEO and Board to develop and execute the Group's growth strategy, with particular focus on organic growth, M&A and value creation.

• Buy-and-build: Lead the financial strategy and execution of the Group's acquisition programme, including evaluation, due diligence, funding, transaction structuring and integration.

• Exit leadership: Lead the finance workstream for a future exit, including shareholder reporting, preparation for sale, financial due diligence, equity story development and engagement with prospective investors.

• Pan-European finance: Oversee a complex, multi-country finance function across multiple jurisdictions, currencies, legal entities and reporting frameworks.

• Performance management: Establish robust Group reporting, forecasting and KPI frameworks, providing the CEO and Board with clear insight into performance, profitability and value creation.

• Integration: Drive the financial and operational integration of acquired businesses, including systems, processes, reporting, controls and organisational structure.

• Commercial finance: Act as a key commercial partner to the CEO and operational leadership, supporting pricing, margin improvement, investment decisions and broader business performance.

• Finance transformation: Continue to professionalise and scale the Group finance function, improving processes, systems, controls and reporting as the business grows.

• Stakeholder management: Build strong relationships with the Board, PE shareholders, lenders, advisers and senior operational leaders across the Group.

• Team leadership: Lead, develop and structure a high-performing international finance team capable of supporting continued acquisition-led growth.

Candidate Profile

Looking for an experienced PE-backed Group CFO with a proven track record of leading businesses through significant growth, acquisition and exit cycles.

Key attributes:

• Significant experience as a Group CFO / divisional CFO within a PE-backed environment

• Proven track record of leading or materially contributing to successful exits

• Extensive experience executing a buy-and-build / acquisition strategy

• Strong M&A experience spanning origination, due diligence, transaction execution and post-deal integration

• Experience operating within a complex Pan-European / multi-country environment

• Background in blue-collar, industrial, facilities, infrastructure, field-based or business services

• Strong commercial orientation with experience driving EBITDA growth, margin improvement and value creation

• Comfortable operating across multiple entities, jurisdictions, currencies and regulatory environments

• Credible Board and PE shareholder-level presence

• Strong leadership capability, with experience building and developing international finance teams

• Able to operate strategically with the CEO and shareholders while maintaining sufficient attention to operational and financial detail

• Experience preparing an organisation for, and leading finance through, a PE transaction or exit process

AI Operating Partner - Portfolio Value Creation

San Francisco | New York | London

Artificial Intelligence | Product | Technology | Portfolio Value Creation

We are partnering with a leading global technology investment firm to appoint an AI Operating Partner focused on driving AI-led value creation across its portfolio.

This is a senior, highly hands-on role sitting at the intersection of AI strategy, product, technology and business transformation. The successful individual will work directly with investment teams, portfolio CEOs and technology leaders to identify where AI can create meaningful enterprise value and then take those opportunities from 0-1: strategy through product definition, implementation, adoption and scale.

This is not a purely advisory or strategy position. We are looking for someone who has personally helped organisations build and implement AI products and capabilities.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Partner with portfolio leadership teams to define practical AI strategies linked directly to business value.
• Identify and prioritise high-impact AI opportunities across revenue, product, operations and productivity.
• Take AI initiatives from initial concept and business case through build, deployment and adoption.
• Help portfolio companies establish the right AI product, data, technology and operating capabilities.
• Work closely with CEOs, CTOs, CPOs, CDAOs and functional leaders to accelerate implementation.
• Support investment teams during diligence and early-stage value creation planning.
• Develop repeatable AI playbooks, frameworks and capabilities that can be deployed across the portfolio.
• Build relationships with leading AI technology providers, practitioners and external partners.
• Act as a senior thought partner while remaining close enough to delivery to unblock programmes and drive outcomes.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

We are particularly interested in individuals who have combined high-level AI strategy with direct implementation experience. Relevant backgrounds may include AI leadership within a private equity fund or portfolio value creation team, senior leadership within an MBB AI or digital practice, AI product leadership within a major technology business, or operating experience building AI capabilities inside complex enterprise environments.

• Deep understanding of Generative AI, machine learning and modern AI product development.
• A track record of taking AI initiatives from 0-1 and into production.
• Strong product thinking alongside technology and commercial judgement.
• Experience translating emerging AI capabilities into measurable business outcomes.
• Credibility with boards, investment teams and highly technical delivery teams.
• Experience influencing senior stakeholders without relying on large internal delivery teams.
• Exposure to private equity, technology investing or PE-backed environments strongly preferred.

This is an opportunity to play a central role in shaping how one of the world's leading technology investors drives AI-enabled value creation across its portfolio.