CEO IT (m/f/d) with strong sales background

At IPS (an AUCTUS portfolio company), we turn vision into impact with precision and a global perspective. Rooted in European expertise and driven by international ambition, we empower businesses to navigate the complexities of the tech landscape, unlocking innovation and delivering measurable results for our customers. By bringing together deep industry expertise and forward-thinking strategies, ensuring our clients turn challenges into opportunities and stay ahead in a rapidly evolving digital world. We speed up processes and enlarge the business of our customers.

As CEO, you will assume central responsibility for the strategic and operational management of the company. The aim is to clearly align the company with organic and inorganic growth through strong, integrative, and sales-oriented management.

Location : Remote/Hybrid due to the decentralized organizational setup with high travelling frequency (ideally South Germany or Switzerland)

Your responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership & Execution:

• Refine and implement the strategic growth plan focused on value creation through portfolio optimization and acquisitions.
• Foster alignment across all current and future group companies and create a unified and scalable organization.
• Lead external-facing initiatives and collaborate with the CFO on integration and operations.

Sales & Operational Excellence:

• Direct and oversee all sales, business development, and client relationship activities.
• Foster a hunter-led sales approach and drive cross- and upselling across group offerings.
• Develop a scalable sales structure and identify strategic customers, partners, and opportunities.
• Manage day-to-day operations with a focus on efficiency, cost control, and resource allocation.
• Implement best practices to enhance service delivery and ensure long-term customer relationships.

Post-Merger Integration (PMI):

• Lead integration of acquired companies, ensuring cultural alignment and operational synergies.
• Address skill gaps and strengthen the value proposition.
• Develop and roll out the Target Operating Model with the CFO.

Portfolio Optimization & M&A:

• Identify and grow high-value service offerings while phasing out low-performing areas.
• Work with CFO and PE investors to identify and evaluate acquisition targets.

Exit Readiness & Preparation:

• Prepare the company for a successful exit by ensuring scalability, operational efficiency, and clear positioning.
• Align exit timing and strategy with the board and PE stakeholders.

Your profile:

Required:

• 15+ years of experience in operational- and growth-oriented management in small- to mid-sized international IT professional services companies or similar consulting businesses focused on digital transformation projects with a highly technical focus.
• Full P&L or sales responsibility of >€30m revenue, demonstrating transformational growth, both organically and through M&A.
• Demonstrated ability to identify market trends in IT services, understand the current and future needs of mid-size and enterprise size customers and develop strategic plans that drive above-market growth and profitability.
• Demonstrable track record of personal sales successes (>10m yearly revenues) and experience in successfully structuring and implementing a high-performance sales organization and CRM processes (incl. key account management).
• Proven ability to lead and grow scale-up organizations, primarily grown through acquisitions
• Extensive hands-on experience in cultural transformation, portfolio optimization, and post-merger integration, combined with a track record of building a strong performance-driven culture, motivating teams and retaining talents.
• Structured, pragmatic, results-oriented mindset with the ability to deliver under pressure, firm and pleasant person.
• Preferably located in Switzerland (Zurich area) or Liechtenstein or willingness to relocate.
• Fluency in English (other European language is a plus).
• High willingness to travel within Europe and partially international (e.g., Vietnam).

Preferably:

• Proven track record of value creation under Private Equity ownership and understanding of exit valuation drivers.
• Successful exit of a company under PE ownership.