Bernhard Isemann

Experience

• 

  IBM

  Oct 1994 - May 1997

  Account Manager

  At IBM, we create and innovate with technologists, developers, partners, and competitors to build a better world through technology, software, infrastructure, and consulting.The Key Responsibilities I fulfilled:🔹 Established and scaled a “turn-key” solutions business for medium and large enterprises, delivering integrated hardware, software, and services.🔹 Grew annual revenue from $0 to $8M within a short period, driving significant business expansion.🔹 Led complex, multi-component projects integrating hardware, software, and services while building and managing a network of subcontractors to ensure smooth large-scale implementation execution.🔹 Recognised with the "Significant Achievement Award (1996)" for superior revenue growth and business impact. Show less

• 

  CISCO SYSTEMS (USA) PTE. LTD

  May 1997 - Aug 1998

  Key Account Manager

  Cisco is the worldwide technology leader, revolutionising how organisations connect and protect in the AI era. For more than 40 years, Cisco has securely connected the world. Its industry-leading AI-powered solutions and services enable its customers, partners, and communities to unlock innovation, improve productivity, and strengthen digital resilience.The Key Responsibilities I fulfilled:🔹 Directed sales for large enterprises and government accounts in Austria, securing high-value contracts and expanding market share.🔹 Positioned Cisco Systems as a market leader in Austria through executive sponsorship, lobbying, and high-level stakeholder engagement.🔹 Established and strengthened relationships with top mobile operators, driving multimillion-dollar deals and long-term partnerships.🔹 Handled software sales initiatives across top telecom providers in Eastern Europe, opening new revenue streams and increasing market footprint.🔹 Acquired "Account Manager of the Year 1998" for outstanding revenue growth, strategic deal-making, and adept client management. Show less

• 

  Alcatel-Lucent

  Oct 1998 - Aug 2002

  Director of Sales

  At Nokia [Alcatel-Lucent], we create technology that connects the world. As a B2B innovation leader, we drive the future where networks and cloud converge to unlock digital potential across industries. With intelligent networks that sense, think, and act, we collaborate with customers and partners to shape the next generation of digital services and applications.The Key Responsibilities I fulfilled:🔹 Directed the Business Partner Sales Organization for Germany, Austria, and Switzerland; driving revenue growth and market expansion.🔹 Led a team of 25 Key Account Managers and 60 sales professionals, managing $100M in sales revenue while optimising cost structures.🔹 Secured key partnerships with T-Systems, IBM, NK Networks, Kapsch, and Siemens, strengthening the company’s market presence.🔹 Unified 3 sales teams into a single, high-performing unit focused on mobile and fixed-line operators while launching Micromuse fault management sales and service for Alcatel.🔹 Established a fully operational subsidiary in Austria, integrating sales, services, and consulting functions. Show less

• 

  Raiffeisen Informatik, Syscom Emirates

  Aug 2002 - Jul 2005

  Country Manager

  Raiffeisen Informatik GmbH & Co KG is one of Austria's largest private data centre operators. Professional IT services for corporate customers have been provided for more than 50 years; the strength lies in the skilled combination of continuity, innovation and applied cerebral networking.The Key Responsibilities I fulfilled:🔹 Served as Managing Director for Raiffeisen Bank Computer Center’s Middle East operations, overseeing three companies across the UAE, Iran, and Austria.🔹 Established and structured local entities in compliance with regional regulations, cultural dynamics, and market requirements.🔹 Built a robust sales and service network across GCC countries and Sudan, driving business growth and market penetration.🔹 Secured new local investors and partners, culminating in a successful 60% company share buyout to strengthen regional presence.🔹 Directed the development of a production facility for electronic devices in Dubai, improving local manufacturing capabilities. Show less

• 

  Sun Microsystems

  Aug 2005 - Oct 2006

  Country Manager

  Sun Microsystems, a wholly owned subsidiary of Oracle Corporation, expands Oracle’s enterprise software expertise with Solaris, Java, MySQL, and a portfolio of storage, server, and network hardware. Oracle develops, manufactures, and markets database, middleware, and application software globally, driving innovation across the tech industry.The Key Responsibilities I fulfilled:🔹 Directed Sales, Services, and Maintenance for Sun Products in Austria and Slovakia, driving a successful business turnaround within just 1 year.🔹 Managed a $50M business with 65 employees in Austria and 23 in Slovakia, overseeing indirect sales through strategic partners.🔹 Reorganised the Austrian team to build a sales-driven culture, streamline operations, and reduce legacy inefficiencies.🔹 Developed and executed a rescue strategy for loss-making long-term projects, successfully turning around P&L performance.🔹 Built a new sales force with 6 industry-focused segments, strengthened marketing and press coverage, and fostered a customer-centric, results-driven culture. Show less

• 

  Hewlett Packard Enterprise

  Jan 2007 - Jul 2011

  Director of Sales

  Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) is a global tech leader specialising in enterprise IT solutions. Spun off from HP in 2015, HPE delivers cutting-edge cloud, storage, networking, and AI-driven solutions to power business innovation. With a focus on speed, scalability, and security, HPE helps organisations optimise infrastructure and unlock data-driven growth.The Key Responsibilities I fulfilled:🔹 Managed a $1.7B IT channel business, expanding market reach across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and the Gulf, while forging strategic partnerships with Etisalat, STC, and Emirates Airlines to strengthen HP’s regional dominance.🔹 Strategically led HP Managed Enterprise Solutions, securing $85M in new revenue through strategic outsourcing contracts.🔹 Developed and executed IT service outsourcing, structuring $10M-$15M managed service contracts for enterprise clients.🔹 Optimised supply chain management, reducing operational costs by 12% while improving service delivery speed. Show less

• 

  Konica Minolta Business Solutions Austria GmbH

  Aug 2011 - May 2014

  District Sales Manager

  Konica empowers businesses on their digital journey. With 300 experts across Austria, we install printing systems, provide top-tier service, consult on digitalisation, and manage IT for 15,000+ companies.The Key Responsibilities I fulfilled:🔹 Directed a team of 15 Account Managers, 8 contract administrators, 40 technical staff, and 14 support personnel.🔹 Managed the P&L for the Vienna Branch, overseeing €24M revenue and driving profitability through strategic decision-making.🔹 Established a new IT office services business, implementing existing resources for growth, and led the digitisation of 24 million documents through a Document Management System for the Municipality of Vienna.🔹 Developed and launched a barrier-free, multilingual online platform for government services, empowering Vienna’s citizens to submit applications in 12 languages. Show less

• 

  T-Mobile Austria

  Jun 2014 - Nov 2015

  Vice President, Regional Sales

  Magenta represents Europe’s largest telecommunications company, Deutsche Telekom. Magenta Telekom (T-Mobile Austria GmbH) is a leading internet, mobile services, and business solutions provider in Austria. With €1.39 billion in revenue (2022), Magenta delivers ultra-fast broadband and digital innovations. More than just a colour, Magenta is a promise for Austria’s digital future.The Key Responsibilities I fulfilled:🔹 Directed and managed €85M+ revenue portfolio, driving 10% YoY growth through AI-driven market segmentation & predictive analytics.🔹 Developed AI-powered digital sales strategy while improving customer targeting and cross-channel integration.🔹 Optimised salesforce operations, increasing pipeline efficiency by 30% and boosting lead conversion rates by 15% Show less

• 

  European Space Agency - ESA

  Dec 2015 - now

  The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s gateway to space, advancing technology and ensuring that investments benefit both Europe and the world. As an international organisation with 22 Member States, ESA pools financial and intellectual resources to undertake ambitious missions and innovations that no single country could achieve alone.The Key Responsibilities I have fulfilled:🔹 Established ESA’s 1st AI-powered Data Factory, integrating real-time analytics across 26 countries to enhance data governance; developed a unified digital business and data model across all departments; Data Engineering, Application Development, Reporting, and Infrastructure.🔹 Designed and built the ESA Data Factory, establishing a single source of truth for administrative, managerial, and project reporting.🔹 Deployed GPT-4-powered AI for knowledge mining, processing 22,000+ classified documents to streamline research and innovation.🔹 Implemented a Data-Driven Decision System and led a multi-cloud transition to Microsoft Azure for ESA, reducing strategic planning time by 40% and ensuring 99.99% system uptime.🔹 Oversaw a €45M procurement cost reduction, streamlining IT vendor agreements from 82 to 45. Show less 🔹 Managed IT investments, procurement, and portfolio oversight, enhancing project execution, cost efficiency, and innovation within ESA’s IT landscape.🔹 Developed the AI-powered Science Digital Toolbox, enhancing space project competence by 50%, and led predictive AI modeling for the Ariane 6 Rocket, improving milestone forecasting accuracy from 10% to 4.5%.🔹 Developed ESA’s €70M IT Cost Transparency Model for precise budget control and optimised IT governance across 10 business units, reducing costs by 25% while ensuring strategic tech investments.🔹 Served as the primary liaison to directorate executives, financial leadership, and administration, aligning IT strategies with agency objectives; handled business case development for new initiatives.🔹 Operated under the direct authority of the CIO to oversee ESA-funded projects, ensuring full visibility, cost control, and adherence to schedules while mitigating cross-project risks.🔹 Directed in-depth cost deviation analyses, assessed financial impacts, and implemented risk mitigation strategies to safeguard project viability and budget integrity.🔹 Centralised IT procurement to secure cutting-edge technologies, established strategic vendor agreements, and optimised IT investment planning.🔹 Identified and integrated emerging technologies to enhance ESA’s space programs, maintaining IT investments align with future mission-critical needs and operational performance. Show less

  • Head of ESA Data Factory

    Mar 2022 - now

  • Business Processs Digitalization Lead

    Dec 2015 - Mar 2022