Rui Coelho

I am an IT leader who operates at the intersection of Board-level vision and granular execution. My career has been shaped by 'zero-to-one' moments: building the Corporate PMO, founding the Business Process Office (BPO), and repositioning Retail IT at PRIO from a support function into a strategic operational capability. I translate executive ambition into structured delivery while remaining close to portfolio steering and team development—building motivated, accountable teams with clear career paths, strong engagement, and long-term retention.

Combining strategic clarity with a builder's mindset, I ensure technology investments create measurable, sustainable business value.

Head of PMO and Project Portfolio Management at PRIO (2020-10 – Present)

Established and developed the enterprise PMO into a central governance and value-management function, aligning business priorities, IT investments, and execution capacity.

• Steer a portfolio of 40+ strategic initiatives, ensuring disciplined prioritization, resource alignment, risk transparency, and measurable value realization
• Advise executive leadership on portfolio trade-offs, Capex/Opex allocation, and multi-year transformation roadmaps
• Govern demand management and cross-functional prioritization, linking technology investments to corporate objectives and operational performance
• Provide Board-level portfolio reporting, risk oversight, and performance insight to support decision-making
• Institutionalized project and program governance standards, including compliance and RGPD integration
• Oversaw enterprise-critical transformation initiatives, including SAP ERP landscape modernization, a company-wide digital program, post-acquisition integrations, and the launch of EV charging platform and app
• Lead and develop a high-performing and motivated team of project leaders, strengthening engagement, accountability, and clear career progression to sustain delivery excellence

Head of Retail IT at PRIO (2023-04 – Present)

Repositioned Retail IT as a business-facing capability while steering the strategic roadmap to support network growth, operational performance, and digital enablement.

• Lead, evaluate, and upskill a dedicated specialist unit; accountable for aligning individual performance goals with organizational standards to foster a high-performance service delivery culture
• Optimized Retail IT OpEx by 25% through vendor renegotiation and operating model redesign, directly enhancing business unit margins
• Introduced governance mechanisms that improved coordination and reduced time-to-market for new retail openings
• Led change and adoption initiatives for retail platforms, contributing to measurable improvements in user engagement and operational KPIs
• Act as senior interface between business stakeholders, IT teams, and external partners

Head of Best Practices / Business Process Office at PRIO (2018-04 – 2020-09)

Created an internal function focused on process governance, efficiency, and adding value.

• Designed enterprise process governance and continuous improvement frameworks
• Led end-to-end process mapping and optimization across core business areas
• Developed KPI models and cost–benefit analyses to support investment decisions and portfolio prioritization
• Provided structured analytical support for transformation and strategic initiatives

IT Project Manager at PRIO (2017-03 – 2018-03)

Delivered cross-functional IT programs from design to enterprise adoption, aligning business objectives with technology architecture. Led the deployment of Microsoft Dynamics 365 CRM and multiple SAP ERP evolution initiatives, ensuring integration, governance, and measurable business uptake.

IT Business Partner (BIT/Sports Division) at SONAE (2011-09 – 2016-10)

Acted as primary liaison between business leadership and IT for international expansion and retail operations initiatives.

• Delivered systems supporting wholesale and franchise operations, contributing to first year's €2M revenue
• Coordinated rollout of a universal repair service model across 200 retail stores
• Implemented over 20 IT initiatives covering retail, logistics, and internationalization

Developer, Functional Analyst, Technical Lead, and Project Manager at INDRA (2001-01 – 2011-08)

A decade-long evolution from Developer and Functional Analyst to Technical Lead and Project Manager, serving as a consultant for numerous large-scale enterprise clients. This journey culminated in Product Management for high-stakes self-banking platforms, where managing critical financial systems for major institutions forged the pragmatic grit and risk-management mindset that anchors my transformation leadership today.

Executive Master in Tech Leadership & Management – Porto Business School

Master of Business & Information in Business & Information – Universidade Católica Portuguesa

Master's Degree in Information Management & Computer Science – Universidade Portucalense