Lars Kjærulf

International RPO and workforce solutions executive with specialist training in RPO and process management. Experienced in designing client-specific recruitment outsourcing and workforce solutions, connecting commercial architecture, scalable delivery models and operational performance across enterprise environments. My experience spans direct RPO solution design, national ownership of dedicated client-integrated outsourcing businesses, and multi-country RPO delivery.

I combine customer discovery, resource and capacity modelling, process design, pricing, governance and implementation with accountability for commercial outcomes. With full P&L accountability and experience in large-scale tenders, TCO and complex negotiations, I balance client value, implementation risk, productivity and profitability to develop commercially competitive and financially sustainable talent solutions.

Core expertise: My solution design expertise connects client discovery, process design, recruitment capacity, delivery locations, technology requirements, pricing assumptions and operational feasibility. I have owned national client-integrated outsourcing businesses and managed multi-country RPO delivery. Working across Sales, Finance and Operations, I turn customer requirements into scalable, commercially sustainable service models.

Founder & Workforceconomist at Kjaerulf ApS (Workforce Strategy & Advisory) (2025 – Present)

Independent advisory platform focused on workforce strategy, external talent and procurement, supporting organisations in translating business demand into practical workforce, sourcing and supplier decisions. The work connects workforce strategy, economics and execution across operating models, cost, risk and organisational capability.

• External Talent Strategy & Operating Models
• Advising executive and board-level stakeholders on workforce strategy, talent supply and operating-model decisions
• Translating business demand, capability requirements and workforce risks into practical decision and implementation frameworks
• Designing scalable workforce models across permanent, contingent and outsourced delivery
• Commercial, Procurement & Governance
• Advising on supplier structures, contracts, commercial models and workforce-related risk
• Building TCO, ROI and scenario-based decision support for workforce and sourcing choices
• Developing governance and performance frameworks that connect suppliers, internal stakeholders and business priorities

Senior Advisor – International Workforce & Workforce Solutions (12-month strategic programme) at DI – Confederation of Danish Industry (2025 – 2026)

Translated international workforce demand, labour market regulation and market intelligence into scalable talent-access strategies, business cases and implementation models for companies operating across borders. DI (Confederation of Danish Industry) is Denmark's largest business and employers' organisation, representing more than 20,000 companies and serving as a leading advisor on business policy, labour markets, international competitiveness and workforce development.

• Workforce Strategy & Operating Models
• Shaped international workforce strategies connecting capacity, skills, deployment and talent access with business priorities
• Converted business demand and workforce risks into operating models, sourcing strategies and practical implementation roadmaps
• Enabled companies to evaluate international recruitment channels and supplier models using market intelligence, workforce analytics, TCO and scenario planning
• Commercial, Procurement & Governance
• Built a strategic advisory platform covering recruitment, workforce planning, onboarding, retention, governance and organisational capability
• Strengthened executive decision-making through frameworks connecting cost, risk, compliance and operational feasibility
• Developed guidance and facilitated executive workshops on compliant international recruitment, governance and implementation across national and European regulatory frameworks

Director. Operational Talent Solutions at Randstad A/S (2024 – 2025)

Strengthened a national external talent business by translating global strategy into scalable workforce solutions, sourcing channels and operating models across multiple client sectors. Executive responsibility for 28 employees, including two Area Managers, with P&L and budget responsibility of approximately DKK 250 million. Member of the Executive Management Team, Randstad Denmark.

Randstad is a global leader in workforce, recruitment, and talent solutions. Headquartered in the Netherlands, Randstad operates in 39 markets and employs approximately 40,000 people.

• External Talent Strategy & Operating Models
• Designed and governed workforce models connecting business demand, capacity, sourcing channels, flexibility and workforce risk
• Aligned workforce cost, capacity, allocation and performance with Finance and Operations using analytics, market intelligence and TCO
• Expanded access to external talent by establishing the EU Cross-Border Centre across 12 European countries and the Randstad National Talent Centre supporting approximately 25,000 candidates annually
• Commercial, Procurement & Governance
• Translated Randstad’s global Partner for Talent strategy into governance, quality standards and operational execution across client delivery
• Strengthened governance across suppliers and delivery teams through performance measures, clear accountability and continuous optimisation
• Developed and implemented an AI-based solution supporting sourcing, screening and candidate communication

Director. Business Development & Inhouse services at Randstad A/S (2019 – 2024)

National ownership of the client-integrated workforce outsourcing business, including solution development, commercial models and P&L. Managed two Process Managers and delivery teams serving approximately 600 temporary workers.

• External Talent Strategy & Operating Models
• Developed dedicated, client-integrated outsourcing solutions, translating operational needs into scalable service and resource models
• Developed client solutions across recruitment, flexible staffing, production planning, onboarding and outsourced services
• Built resource and forecast models and standardised processes to balance workforce capacity, productivity and cost
• Expanded the national outsourced delivery concept through Lean Six Sigma, gap analysis and continuous improvement
• Commercial, Procurement & Governance
• Developed commercially viable outsourcing solutions, including scope, TCO, pricing, resource assumptions and implementation
• Owned national and international bids, RFx and proposals involving agreements up to DKK 110 million
• Managed strategic relationships and commercial solutions for global clients including LEGO Group, Carlsberg, JYSK, FrieslandCampina, Siemens Energy, Adidas and DSV
• Strengthened supplier and service performance through KPIs, SLAs, reporting and structured improvement plans
• Directed complex client transitions from discovery and commercial design to contractual agreement and delivery
• Selected Projects & Results
• Designed and implemented a DSV BPO model scaling from 68 to 170 FTE across six sites
• Negotiated a complex two-year global workforce agreement with LEGO Group involving stakeholders across 38 countries
• Contributed to record growth, revenue and profitability while strengthening Randstad’s position as a preferred workforce partner in industrial and specialist sectors

Director. Country Practice Lead at Adecco A/S (2016 – 2019)

National concept and business ownership for Adecco Onsite and outsourced workforce services, combining solution development, commercial responsibility, governance and delivery. P&L of approximately DKK 225 million, with operations covering approximately 800 temporary workers. Adecco is the world's second-largest HR company, connecting over 700,000 people daily in 60 countries with job opportunities.

• RPO, Onsite & Outsourcing Solution Design
• Personally developed tailored RPO solutions for Biogen and ROCKWOOL, using formal RPO and process methodologies
• Designed and implemented scalable Onsite and workforce models linking resources, processes, service levels and economics
• Commercial Architecture & Delivery
• Developed customer solutions, resource models and business cases connecting requirements, pricing and delivery feasibility
• Directed complex bids, negotiations and implementation of outsourced workforce programmes
• Management of strategic client, supplier and cross-functional stakeholder relationships
• Programme management of complex client implementations across functions and delivery teams
• Key leadership role in Adecco Group transformation initiatives within a global matrix
• Leadership of Area Managers, Process Managers and Onsite Consultants
• P&L responsibility of approximately DKK 225 million with workforce operations covering approximately 800 temporary workers
• Selected Results
• Developed client-specific RPO solutions for Biogen and ROCKWOOL
• Established a national service centre supporting client delivery and workforce operations
• Developed workforce solutions achieving record-high customer satisfaction (NPS)

Recruitment Delivery Manager, Nordic & Baltic at IBM A/S (2015 – 2016)

Regional responsibility for an established multi-country RPO programme following its transition from MSP, with accountability for delivery, workforce capacity, governance and continuous improvement. IBM Kenexa provided RPO, assessment and HR technology solutions for large international organisations.

• Assumed operational responsibility for the established DXC RPO model, including performance, governance and improvement
• Managed Nordic and Baltic RPO services supporting approximately 550 annual IT recruitments
• Coordinated country delivery teams, sourcing resources and process improvement across the Nordics and Poland
• Coordinated recruiters, sourcing teams and administrators across multiple countries in a matrix structure
• Ownership of capacity planning, volume management, talent channels and resource prioritisation within a large-scale MSP/RPO model
• Standardisation of processes, governance, analytics and reporting across countries, improving scalability, consistency and decision transparency

Commercial Manager at Randstad A/S (2011 – 2015)

Responsible for commercial development and workforce solutions for major national and international organisations.

• Strategic advisor to executive and operational management teams on workforce, organisational and business priorities
• Development and negotiation of workforce solutions and commercial agreements for large national and international clients
• P&L responsibility, including budget, commercial performance and operational efficiency
• Development of an international business network across 42 countries
• Leadership of 10 team leaders with operational responsibility for approximately 400 temporary workers
• Management of major client relationships including Novo Nordisk, TDC, DONG, Danfoss and NNIT

Senior Management Consultant at Dolphin Group A/S (2007 – 2011)

Delivery of leadership, workforce and organisational development programmes for major Danish and international organisations.

• Development of leaders, employees and teams
• Design and facilitation of customised leadership and workforce development programmes, workshops and seminars
• Project management, process consulting, coaching and direct client advisory
• Client engagements including Novo Nordisk, Carlsberg, DSB, DONG, Nordea, Nykredit, UNICEF and NNE

Branch Manager at Adecco A/S (2006 – 2007)

Operational and commercial responsibility for the management and development of an Adecco branch.

• Project management of business development initiatives, including the merger of three departments covering approximately 70 consultants
• Development and management of client relationships and customer satisfaction

Startup/self-employed at Friluftsland (1997 – 2006)

Founder and owner of a retail franchise business under Friluftsland, with responsibility for business development, sales, operations and customer experience. Successfully developed and subsequently sold the store operations to Friluftsland.

Private at The Danish Armed Forces (1993 – 1997)

• Completed military service and training with a specialization in close protection duties
• Spokesperson for enlisted personnel and representative to the press
• Deployed twice to former Yugoslavia

International Sourcing & Strategic Procurement – Copenhagen Business School (CBS) (2026 – 2026)

Executive Programme in Human Resource Management (HRM) – Probana Business School

Business Economics, Leadership and Marketing studies – Tonder and Roskilde Business Schools