Olivier Gressé

Accomplished Senior Manager | Director with over 30 years of experience directing global IT business units and multi-functional teams across IT Services, Pharma, and Finance sectors within Swiss IT international environments.

Recognized for exceptional strategic vision, adeptly bridging IT initiatives with business objectives to drive impactful outcomes and operational excellence. Expertise in talent development, cross-cultural communication, and fostering innovation. Fluent in German, English, and French, committed to guiding companies and individuals toward success in the digital era.

Key Highlights: Major contributor of CHF 60 million in revenue, achieved 100% compliance, and achieved 15% cost savings while maintaining a 1% turnover rate.

10/2022 – 09/2023: Associate VP/Manager, Qualitest Group Switzerland, Zug

• Established Swiss presence within 4 months, ensuring full compliance with regulations and legal adherence.
• Secured initial contracts with two major domestic customers, facilitating successful market entry.
• Integrated and led a high-performance team of 30 engineers and testers seamlessly following an M&A.
• Streamlined operational processes, resulting in significant risk mitigation and zero legal disputes.

07/2021 – 07/2022: Product Manager Cloud, Swisscard AECS, Horgen

• Initiated the cloud transition, following SAFe Agile principles for efficiency and scalability.
• Established robust communication channels among stakeholders and diverse teams, fostering holistic decision-making.
• Instituted rigorous governance frameworks, overseeing a highly skilled team to drive project excellence.
• Formulated detailed roadmaps and budgets, cultivating strategic alliances with key providers.

11/2014 – 06/2020: Department Manager, IBM, Zürich

• Led and coordinated a 21-member Senior Account Architects team across Switzerland and Austria, driving seamless communication and stakeholder engagement.
• Established and nurtured relationships with 80+ high-value clients spanning various sectors, contributing to CHF 60 million and €30 million in quarterly revenue in Switzerland and Austria, respectively.
• Implemented robust talent identification, followed by coaching, development, and retention strategies, promoting 3 employees to CTO and Distinguished Engineer roles and maintaining a turnover rate of just 1%.
• Recognized internally and externally for unwavering commitment, reliability, adept coaching, and forward-thinking leadership, consistently delivering exemplary performance.

• 01/2012 – 10/2014: Department Manager, IBM, Basel
• Streamlined and fortified the Email & Collaboration and Risk & Compliance departments, aligning operations with global risk management standards and compliance regulations.
• Orchestrated the procurement and management of four top-tier vendors, optimizing expertise across both departments for enhanced efficiency and effectiveness.
• Led a diverse team of 40 professionals, ensuring seamless service delivery and client satisfaction while consistently meeting SLAs.
• Implemented resource optimization strategies, achieving over 10% cost savings through a balanced mix of subcontractors and full-time staff.
• Passed 3 audits and quarterly financial reviews, demonstrating strong governance and financial management.

07/2008 – 10/2014: Department Manager, IBM, Basel

• Achieved exceptional customer satisfaction and service excellence as head of the Wintel Engineering Unit by forging strategic partnerships with delivery centers and vendors, optimizing contracts, and ensuring meticulous service delivery.
• Directed the strategic growth and operations of a department of up to 100 personnel and external vendors, effectively managing diverse skill sets and qualifications.
• Implemented transparent performance objectives, fostered open communication, and provided constructive feedback resulting in a remarkable attrition rate reduction to 1%.

10/2006 – 06/2008: Global Project Manager + Deputy PMO Leader, NOVARTIS, Basel

10/2001 – 10/2006: Senior System Architect, NOVARTIS, Basel

04/1998 – 09/2001: IT Consultant, SYSTOR, Basel

09/1994 – 03/1998: Project /Agency Technical Manager, LAFI, Strasbourg – France

Certifications

• Leadership: Certified IBM Manager, presentation & communication, crisis & conflict management, organization setup & optimization, contracts & vendors management, recruitment & people development
• IT Service Management: Lean Six Sigma, Certified ITIL Foundation
• Methodologies: Agile, Design Thinking, Certified SAFe 5 Product Manager, ICE Trainer, GxP
• Technologies: IT Infrastructure, Cloud technologies, Data & AI, Security, Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, Office 365, Networks, Trello, Jira, MS Teams, Slack, Webex, Zoom
• Continuous learning LinkedIn, and Udemy to keep up with the pace, and concepts of the 4th Industrial Revolution
• Certified for Leading Global Projects (Thunderbird Corporate Learning), George Washington University with PMI/PMP (Negotiation Skills, Resource Management, Risk Management)
• Microsoft Certified: MCP+I and MCSE in 2000

Education

• 1990 – 1993: Master’s in Engineering MSc + ABD in IT and Automation, ENSISA Mulhouse – France
• 1987 – 1990: Bachelor of Science (Maths, Physics, Technology), Lycée F. Roosevelt Reims – France