Tobias Künkler
Chief Data & Transformation Officer
Experience
CEO, Interim Manager for Chief Data Officer & Chief Transformation Officer roles
Hyght
- Lead interim roles as Chief Data Officer and Chief Transformation Officer, orchestrating the design and execution of digital, data, and AI transformations within private equity and enterprise organizations
- Design and implement data and digital strategies that align with organizational goals, enhance operational efficiency, and drive innovation across business units
- Develop and implement target operating models (TOMs) to establish and restructure data, AI, and IT organizations, enhancing their alignment with business objectives
- Define and operationalize enterprise data and AI governance frameworks that ensure compliance, mitigate risks, and promote best practices across the organization
- Spearhead transformations for private equity–backed companies, ensuring operational practices align with strategic objectives to foster sustainable growth and deliver value creation
- Formulate and execute comprehensive Value Creation Plans (VCPs) that identify growth opportunities, enhance operational efficiencies, and develop revenue enhancement strategies
Head of Data Governance ad interim
Novo Nordisk
- Facilitate the interim manager role as Head of Data Governance to lead the enterprise strategy and implementation
- Establish and recruit a Global Data & AI Governance organization to anchor Data & AI Governance in key lines of business across the enterprise to support strategic objectives
- Refine and operationalize the enterprise data governance and AI governance framework from pilot to scale
- Drive the design of an enterprise data marketplace which caters to individual line of business needs and makes data FAIR (findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable)
- Define and operationalize an AI governance framework in research and early development
Principal Digital Advisor & Commercial Lead Healthcare & Life Sciences EMEA
Microsoft
- Led the Healthcare & Life Sciences strategy consulting portfolio in EMEA, defining the commercial strategy and monitoring engagements to ensure commercial success
- Defined digital, data and IT strategies, from vision design to use case identification, solution design, and business case calculations for both private equity and enterprise clients
- Directed business development activities and drove sales for large transformation deals with private equity–backed companies and enterprises, securing significant contracts
- Drove change management activities with senior leadership (up to C-level) on enterprise level
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop tailored innovative AI-driven solutions
- Established best practices for cloud adoption and AI integration within healthcare organizations, ensuring scalability and long-term sustainability of digital transformations
VP Chief Data Officer (CDO) ad interim
Ipsen Pharma
- Took over the interim manager role as Chief Data Officer for a global life sciences and pharma company, directly reporting to the CIO to detail and execute data and AI strategy
- Established, defined, and led the “Data Value Office” function (ca. 20 FTEs) and implemented an enterprise operating model for data, AI, and analytics
- Drove change management activities with senior leadership (up to C-level) on enterprise level
- Developed and implemented an enterprise data governance framework for IDMP regulations and Customer 360° view, and facilitated key committees on enterprise level
- Developed business cases for enterprise master data management (MDM) and data catalog
VP Head of Data Office (CDO type) ad interim
Novo Nordisk
- Took over the interim manager role as Head of Data for one of the largest life sciences and pharma companies, directly reporting to the CIO to detail and execute the initial data strategy
- Established and defined the “Data Office” function, onboarded the permanent resource, and detailed the future organizational structure and roadmap
- Drove change management activities with senior leadership on enterprise level
- Defined a global data governance framework
- Initiated the establishment of enterprise master data management and data catalog capabilities
AI Operating Model Lead DACH & Interim Manager for Chief Data Officer roles
Accenture
- Led the AI Operating Model capability in the DACH region, overseeing the Analytics Strategy team in Switzerland, operations, and recruitment efforts to build a high-performing unit
- Drove large-scale sales activities, leading the identification, proposal development, and presentation processes, resulting in significant revenue growth and new client relationships
- Facilitated interim roles as Chief Data Officer (CDO) to detail and execute data and analytics transformations aligned to business strategies
- Championed change management initiatives with senior leadership (up to C-level), driving enterprise-level transformations
Customer Analytics Practice Co-Lead & Visual Analytics Practice Co-Lead
Accenture
- Established and co-led the Customer Analytics Practice in the DACH region, successfully building a team of 10 professionals and co-led the Visual Analytics Practice of 25 people
- Led global cross-functional project teams of up to 20 members, fostering collaboration and alignment to ensure project delivery met or exceeded client expectations
- Delivered a range of analytics and customer data strategy projects for clients in diverse sectors, driving significant value through tailored insights and actionable recommendations
- Supported several large-scale business development activities, leading to successful sales
Corporate Performance Management Consultant
SDG Consulting
- Played a pivotal role as the first employee in Munich, establishing and scaling the strategic location to a team of 10 professionals while driving growth
- Led cross-functional project teams within complex matrix organizations, ensuring successful collaboration and alignment across various stakeholders to achieve project objectives
- Designed, developed, and implemented integrated planning processes and solutions tailored to the unique needs of diverse clients, enhancing operational efficiency and performance management
Inside Sales Controller & SAP BW Key User
Zumtobel
- Led all sales controlling activities for the Southern German region, providing strategic insights that drove sales performance and informed decision-making
- Served as the key user for SAP BW, training users and maximizing system adoption to enhance data reporting and analytics capabilities across the sales team
- Established robust reporting and forecasting frameworks to support business development initiatives, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and market demands
Summary
For the past 19 years, I have gained extensive experience in the Data, AI & Analytics field, both as an industry professional and as an IT & Management consultant. I specialize in value creation within private equity environments while also working with enterprises to drive transformational change, enhance operational efficiencies, and foster innovation.
In my interim roles as Chief Data & Transformation Officer, I have played a key role in helping organizations, both in PE and enterprise settings, achieve their strategic objectives and develop new digital business models. My recent projects have focused on designing and implementing digital & data strategies, enterprise data & AI governance frameworks, and target operating models that establish a reliable data foundation and facilitate the implementation of scalable digital use cases.
I possess a proven track record of leading cross-functional teams and driving change management initiatives at all levels, including engagement with C-level executives and board members, to ensure measurable impact, alignment with organizational goals, and continuous improvement.
Languages
Education
Quantic School of Business & Technology
Executive Master of Business Administration · Business Administration · United States
FOM – University of Applied Sciences
Bachelor of Arts · Business Administration · Munich, Germany
HANSE-Berufskolleg des Kreises Lippe
Industrial Clerk (IHK) · Lemgo, Germany
Similar Freelancers
Discover other experts with similar qualifications and experience