General Manager / Niederlassungsleiter (f/m/d) - Our client is a privately owned international engineering and technology company with more than 30 years of experience in the design, implementation and integration of telecommunications, network, IT and railway infrastructure systems. The company employs more than 100 engineers and technical specialists and has successfully delivered more than 1,000 projects. Its core operating entity generates annual revenues of approximately EUR 20 million. The business combines engineering expertise with the ability to deliver complete infrastructure solutions - from initial concept and system design through installation and commissioning to long-term maintenance and support. The company has built a strong international track record, delivering projects across multiple European markets and beyond. Its railway activities include telecommunications and IP/data networks, fibre-optic and cable infrastructure, radio communication, signalling-related systems, SCADA and ERTMS. Recent projects include the installation and integration of ERTMS onboard systems on more than 250 trains in Scandinavia, as well as major railway telecommunications and network-modernisation projects in the Baltic region and other international markets.
Germany represents a key strategic growth market. While the Group already has an initial legal presence and project activities in Germany, the business is now entering a new phase: a separate German GmbH will be established and developed alongside the existing branch.
For this greenfield and build-up situation, we are looking for an entrepreneurial General Manager who will establish and develop the German business, build strong and sustainable relationships with key customers - particularly Deutsche Bahn - and assume statutory Managing Director responsibility for the newly founded German company.
- Establishing and developing the company's German market presence and positioning the business as a credible long-term partner to Deutsche Bahn and other German rail-infrastructure customers.
- Building, maintaining and expanding senior customer relationships, with a particular focus on Deutsche Bahn and its infrastructure-related entities.
- Developing a qualified project pipeline and converting opportunities into profitable orders in close cooperation with the Group's central sales, engineering and operational functions.
- Leading bid, tender and contract discussions on the German side and ensuring that commercial and technical proposals meet local customer requirements.
- Acting as the local interface between customers and the Group's central engineering, operations, quality, HSE, finance, HR and IT functions.
- Representing the company towards customers, authorities, industry organisations, partners and other relevant stakeholders in Germany.
- Establishing the new German GmbH together with external legal and tax advisers and subsequently assuming the statutory Managing Director position.
- Ensuring full compliance of the German entities with applicable corporate, tax, employment, health & safety and rail-sector requirements.
- Establishing the appropriate local organisation and resources as the German business grows, while making effective use of the Group's central capabilities.
- Managing the existing German branch and the newly established GmbH in parallel, with clear governance, reporting and allocation of projects, contracts and responsibilities.
- Providing transparent reporting to Group Management on business development, pipeline, project performance, risks and compliance.
- A university degree in engineering, telecommunications, electrical engineering, transport engineering, industrial engineering or comparable technical discipline.
- At least 10 years of professional experience in the German rail-infrastructure, rail-technology or rail-systems project business.
- At least 5 years of leadership experience in a business unit, branch, regional, project or commercial management role.
- Proven commercial responsibility for complex project business, including customer development, tenders, proposals, contract negotiations and project economics.
- A demonstrable professional network within Deutsche Bahn and direct experience of working with Deutsche Bahn as a customer are essential.
- Relevant technical and market experience in at least one of the following areas:
- railway telecommunications and communication systems;
- IP/data and operational networks;
- fibre-optic and cable infrastructure;
- GSM-R, FRMCS or professional radio systems;
- signalling and control systems;
- SCADA / operational technology;
- electrical systems or technical rail equipment;
- rail systems integration.
- A strong understanding of how complex infrastructure projects are delivered in Germany, including the interaction between customers, engineering organisations, contractors, suppliers and regulatory bodies.
- This is a rare opportunity to take a leading role in the establishment and development of a new German company backed by an experienced international engineering and technology group.
- The successful candidate will have the opportunity to:
- build the German business from an early stage and shape its market positioning;
- combine entrepreneurial freedom with the engineering, operational and financial resources of an established international group;
- develop a local organisation and project portfolio with significant long-term growth potential; and assume full Managing Director responsibility for the newly established German GmbH.
- The position offers an attractive executive compensation package including fixed salary, performance-related variable compensation and a company car / car allowance.
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