Zoltán Kiss
Head of IT Service / PMO
Experience
Head of IT Service
Indra
Senior IT Leader driving enterprise IT service creation, programme governance, and cybersecurity for the European Commission (DG CNECT). Directed multiple management teams to optimise service delivery, operational workflows, and digital transformation outcomes across a complex stakeholder environment.
Key Contributions:
- Designed and launched a new enterprise IT service, establishing tri-lateral delivery workflows between Indra, DG CNECT, and Sovereign-X.
- Built and implemented a comprehensive IT service governance framework, ensuring cross-organisational collaboration, IT compliance, and performance accountability.
- Oversaw cross-functional teams in IT service management, Agile programme delivery, quality assurance, independent testing, and cybersecurity & compliance.
- Led Indra’s delivery within the SIMPL Programme, a flagship EU digital transformation initiative focused on cloud infrastructure and open-source solutions.
Impact:
- Delivered a scalable, secure, and high-performing enterprise IT service from the ground up.
- Ensured alignment with C-level stakeholders, achieving programme goals on time and within scope.
- Embedded strategic IT governance, risk management, and operational excellence into a high-impact European programme.
Head of PMO
Rubix Group
Headed Rubix’s centralised Project Management Office (PMO), overseeing a portfolio of nearly 50 Agile projects, driving IT and cybersecurity initiatives, portfolio governance, and Agile transformation across 140+ companies. Provided executive-level guidance through regional IT steering committees, aligning central and regional strategies across the organisation.
Key Contributions:
- Designed, established, and directed the centralised PMO, enhancing IT and cybersecurity project execution across 140 companies throughout Europe.
- Implemented Agile Portfolio Management practices to optimise decision-making, accelerate delivery, and improve execution efficiency.
- Chaired regional IT steering committees, aligning IT and cybersecurity initiatives with business priorities and supporting M&A integrations of newly acquired companies.
Impact:
- Built a scalable, organisation-wide PMO that improved governance, execution quality, and strategic alignment.
- Successfully integrated two additional division portfolios under the PMO, a voluntary shift driven by methodological leadership and results.
- Increased organisational agility and delivery success through Agile Portfolio Management and automated Power BI reporting dashboards.
- Strengthened prioritisation, risk management, compliance, and financial oversight through robust governance, advancing innovation and enterprise maturity.
Programme Manager
Rubix Group
Senior IT Leader driving multinational IT & cybersecurity transformation and enterprise resilience across 21 countries and 130+ companies.
Key Contributions:
- Directed and delivered a high-impact cybersecurity programme, overseeing 20+ IT and security projects in each of the 7 European regions.
- Initiated and launched a business continuity (BCM) programme across 21 countries, and successfully handed over upon promotion to Head of PMO.
- Aligned regional IT leaders, Cybersecurity Managers, and BCM teams to meet ISO 27001, NIST, and MARSH standards.
- Oversaw IT and cybersecurity integration during M&A activities across multiple EU countries.
Impact:
- Rescued a derailed programme through proactive risk mitigation, strategic delivery, and executive stakeholder alignment.
- Strengthened enterprise-wide resilience and compliance through scalable cybersecurity governance.
- Elevated the organisation’s cybersecurity posture while advancing business continuity and operational maturity.
Senior Project Manager
UN FAO
Managed a key phase of a high-impact IT initiative at the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), contributing to the development of the Statistical Working System, one of the world’s most critical platforms for global statistical data. This system aggregates vast amounts of data from countries worldwide to inform international policy, economic aid, and sustainability efforts. Contributed to the development of the platform, including the integration of data-science solutions and Big Data analytics, while collaborating with expert data scientists and statisticians to deliver impactful, data-driven insights."
Responsibilities:
- Led the development of the Statistical Working System, integrating a statistical platform with data-science-driven modules and Big Data analytics to enhance global data aggregation and analysis capabilities.
- Managed cross-functional teams, ensuring smooth project execution using AgilePM methodologies and fostering collaboration between technical and data science teams.
Achievements:
- Delivered the current stage of the Statistical Working System, providing a scalable foundation for global data aggregation, analysis, and publication at Big Data scale.
- Enhanced efficiency and collaboration by implementing Agile practices, meeting project timelines and budgets.
- Improved decision-making and strategic insights by ensuring the seamless integration of data science and Big Data methodologies.
Programme Manager
Pattopo Kft
Directed the full delivery operation of a FinTech company for a strategic outsourced IT/insurance programme delivered to an insurance client. Oversaw all digital, operational, technical, actuarial, and marketing workstreams—managing everyone in the company except the owner and one administrative staff member. Focused on enhancing the client’s digital capabilities, automating workflows, and aligning IT outcomes with business goals. Reported directly to the client’s CEO and CIO, ensuring strategic alignment and executive-level visibility.
Responsibilities:
- Led company-wide delivery of a digital insurance programme to enable online policy sales and streamline administration.
- Directed a team of project managers, providing guidance and oversight to support timely and budget-compliant delivery across all workstreams.
- Oversaw the transformation of business needs, product definitions, and marketing plans into coordinated delivery tracks aligned with revenue goals.
- Established Agile governance using AgilePgM and AgilePM to accelerate execution and responsiveness.
Impact:
- Increased insurance policy sales by over 40% in the following quarter, driven by the programme’s digital and operational enhancements.
- Delivered a new digital capability and product line — supported by integrated marketing — on time and within budget, ensuring a seamless transition to BAU.
- Improved organisational agility and cross-functional collaboration through embedded Agile governance.
- Built strong executive relationships, enabling fast decision-making and high-impact delivery across both organisations.
Senior Project Manager
European Food Safety Authority
Managed a critical stage of a multi-year EFSA project focused on business process transformation to enhance operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, and food safety governance across Europe. Led one stage of redesigning 36 key workflows to streamline operations, drive digital transformation, and accelerate decision-making.
Responsibilities:
- Managed the redesign of 36 core business workflows, optimising operational processes and aligning them with regulatory requirements, improving efficiency and compliance.
- Implemented IT-enabled business transformation, integrating strategic technology solutions to enhance performance and regulatory adherence.
- Engaged with senior stakeholders across business, IT, and regulatory functions to promote workflow adoption and alignment with EFSA’s long-term digital strategy.
Achievements:
- Delivered key project milestones on time and within scope, ensuring seamless collaboration across international teams and cross-border stakeholders.
- Enhanced operational efficiency and responsiveness, reinforcing EFSA’s regulatory compliance capabilities.
- Contributed to the digital transformation of EFSA.
Programme Manager
Jun Ma Digital Company
Led a high-impact digital transformation programme that doubled operational capacity and streamlined enterprise IT and production workflows. Designed and delivered the IT & Programme strategy, aligning it with business objectives to drive scalable growth. Oversaw all IT operations and collaborated with mechanical teams to integrate production technology, enhance performance, and optimise cross-functional workflows. Ensured alignment with Enterprise Architecture principles, IT Governance standards, and modern engineering practices.
Key Responsibilities:
- Partnered with the CEO to align technology investments with long-term business strategy and operational scalability.
- Developed and executed the IT & Programme strategy, embedding Enterprise Architecture frameworks, IT Governance standards, and Agile methodologies.
- Led a factory-wide transformation, upgrading IT systems and production infrastructure to increase output, improve order tracking, and modernise workflows.
- Directed IT operations and worked closely with mechanical teams to integrate production machinery with digital systems, enabling real-time data exchange.
- Applied AgilePgM, AgilePM, and CI/CD practices to increase delivery speed, innovation governance, and system responsiveness.
- Supported cybersecurity improvements across IT and operational systems as part of digital integration efforts.
Impact:
- Delivered a future-ready IT & Programme strategy, embedding Agile and CI/CD to accelerate delivery and enhance adaptability.
- Achieved a 100% increase in administrative and order tracking capacity through modernised infrastructure and production systems.
- Established real-time connectivity between IT platforms and production equipment, improving order accuracy, error detection, and production agility.
- Strengthened system resilience and compliance by aligning platforms with cybersecurity and IT governance standards.
Project Manager
European Union Intellectual Property Office
Managed digitisation and Web 2.0 initiatives that played a key role in transitioning the organisation from paper-based workflows to a fully electronic office environment, enhancing accessibility, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency. Oversaw project budgets of up to €1.5M, delivering enterprise-grade IT solutions in close collaboration with C-level stakeholders to ensure strategic alignment and adherence to compliance standards.
Key Responsibilities:
- Delivered digitisation projects supporting EUIPO’s transition to a paperless office, replacing legacy processes with secure, scalable digital systems.
- Managed the development and rollout of key components of a centralised Document Management System, coordinating cross-functional teams.
- Led project delivery within strict scope, budget, and timeline constraints, applying structured methodologies to mitigate risks and maximise outcomes.
- Partnered with C-level leaders and department heads to ensure alignment between IT initiatives, organisational strategy, and user needs.
- Supported change management and user adoption to ensure smooth transitions and long-term sustainability.
Impact:
- Enabled the full digitisation of EUIPO operations, increasing process efficiency, document traceability, and service accessibility.
- Strengthened cross-departmental alignment by fostering effective stakeholder engagement throughout the project lifecycle.
- Contributed to the development of a digitally mature and future-ready EU agency through the delivery of strategic IT projects.
Senior Project Manager
Pattopo Kft
Delivered strategic outsourced IT initiatives for a major insurance client while overseeing a team of three Project Managers. Championed Agile methodologies to enhance project governance, execution speed, and delivery quality. Advised both the CEO and client stakeholders to ensure technology solutions aligned with business strategy.
Key Responsibilities:
- Managed a set of outsourced IT projects in the Insurance sector, aligning delivery with client objectives, timelines, and scope.
- Supervised and supported three Project Managers, fostering delivery excellence and professional development.
- Embedded Agile Project Management practices to improve coordination, delivery reliability, and stakeholder communication.
- Served as the main point of contact between the CEO, delivery teams, and client leadership, ensuring alignment and transparency.
Impact:
- Drove successful Agile implementation, resulting in faster delivery cycles and more predictable outcomes.
- Strengthened client relationships through structured reporting and proactive issue resolution.
- Consistently delivered projects on time and within budget, contributing to increased client confidence and organisational growth.
Life400 Consultant
Key Clients: NN - former ING, Amsterdam, The Netherlands | De Goudse Verzekeringen, Gouda, The Netherlands | ING Poland, Warsaw, Poland | Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Sydney, New South Wales | Postbank, ING Group, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
System design, development, and implementation for the Life400 insurance administration system on IBM AS400 (iSeries), a large-scale enterprise platform with millions of lines of code and hundreds of modules, functions, and batch processes. Worked closely with technical teams and end users, ensuring seamless system integration, performance optimisation, and business alignment.
- Designed and developed critical system components, driving scalability and efficiency in enterprise insurance administration.
- Directed cross-functional teams, ensuring smooth collaboration between technical experts and business stakeholders.
- Optimised system performance, streamlining processes and enhancing overall operational capabilities.
- Ensured on-time, on-budget project completion, aligning technical initiatives with business objectives.
Project Manager & Team Manager / Analyst Programmer
Formula/400 Kft
Project Manager - Jan 2002 - Oct 2006 Oversaw strategic IT delivery and service management operations for a FinTech company providing outsourced solutions to a major insurance client. Ensured system resilience, service continuity, and alignment between IT execution and business strategy.
Key Responsibilities:
- Managed strategic IT initiatives across Life400 (IBM AS400/iSeries), intranet portals, BI/MIS, business process redesign, system integrations, document and incident management, call centre systems, disaster recovery, and infrastructure upgrades.
- Implemented and optimised IT Service Management (ITSM) practices to improve incident resolution and operational efficiency.
- Collaborated closely with the insurance client and internal stakeholders to align IT efforts with business priorities and SLAs.
- Delivered projects on time and within budget using traditional (Waterfall) methodologies, reporting directly to executive leadership.
Impact:
- Delivered IT projects that significantly enhanced digital operations and system integration for the client.
- Strengthened ITSM processes, reducing incident response times and improving overall system reliability.
- Advised on annual IT strategy, reinforcing client collaboration and alignment.
- Contributed to ISO compliance and strengthened security governance across all initiatives.
- Improved cross-functional collaboration, optimising end-to-end service delivery.
Projects: Delivered 40+ Life400 System Development Project on IBM AS400 (iSeries), additionally WEB, Intranet, Document Management System, Incident Management System, Workflows with BPR, MIS/BI, Call Center, System Integrations, Disaster Recovery, System Upgrade, Data Security, IT Infrastructure Upgrade projects on time and budget. Took part in ISO project.
Life400 Analyst Programmer - Apr 1998 - Dec 2001 System design, development, and implementation for the Life400 insurance administration system on IBM AS400 (iSeries), a large-scale enterprise platform with millions of lines of code and hundreds of modules, functions, and batch processes. Worked closely with technical teams and end users, ensuring seamless system integration, performance optimisation, and business alignment.
- Designed and developed critical system components, driving scalability and efficiency in enterprise insurance administration.
- Directed cross-functional teams, ensuring smooth collaboration between technical experts and business stakeholders.
- Optimised system performance, streamlining processes and enhancing overall operational capabilities.
- Ensured on-time, on-budget project completion, aligning technical initiatives with business objectives.
Summary
I’m a transformational IT executive with over 15 years of experience in IT leadership and management. I’ve led entire IT functions in mid-sized organisations, designed and executed strategic programmes, and built an enterprise-level PMO serving 140+ business entities across Europe.
I’m now ready to step into a CIO, CTO, or executive Head of PMO role, bringing a strong track record in:
- Launching, scaling and executing multimillion-euro IT service delivery for the European Commission, ensuring governance, operational excellence, and stakeholder alignment
- Building an Agile PMO from the ground up, scaling delivery governance, cybersecurity, and IT innovation across a complex international organisation
- Driving enterprise-wide IT and cybersecurity programmes, integrating standards across 21 European countries and raising compliance and operational resilience
- Leading a strategic FinTech programme with full accountability for all IT, delivering outsourced digital solutions to a major insurance client
- Delivering strategic IT advisory services to an insurance company, aligning technology with business priorities
- Leading a digital transformation programme with full accountability for all IT, integrating IT, production, and industrial control systems into a unified operational framework
My leadership spans:
- IT Strategy, Governance, Risk & ITIL
- Cybersecurity, Compliance & Business Continuity
- Agile PMO, Portfolio & Programme Management
- C-Level Stakeholder Engagement & Executive Advisory
- Remote Leadership Across European Teams
I focus on transforming IT functions and Programme Offices into strategic enablers with a modern, people-centered leadership style that fosters:
- High-performing, distributed teams
- Bold thinking, genuine innovation and agile delivery
- Cultures of purpose, recognition, and sustainable success
- Environments where technology and people thrive together
Let’s connect if you’re looking to elevate IT into a strategic pillar of your organisation — or seeking a forward-thinking IT executive ready to deliver business results with vision, discipline, and impact.
Languages
Education
Budapest University of Technology & Economics
Master of Business Administration · Management, Finance & Economy · Budapest, Hungary · 4.3
Dennis Gábor College
IT Engineer · IT Management · Budapest, Hungary · 4.1
Certifications & licenses
IT Security and Risk maangement
EU Academy
The Future of Leadership
Brigette Tasha Hyacinth
BSINTF II - Basic Security in the Field
UNDSS
ASITF - Advanced Security in the Field
UNDSS
Programme Management Professional – PgMP
Wisdom Jobs
Project Management Professional – PMP
Wisdom Jobs
ITIL 4.3.3 Foundation
ILX Group
Management of Risk – M_o_R
ILX Group
Management of Portfolios – MoP
ILX Group
Management of Value – MoV
ILX Group
Agile Portfolio Management
Jochen Krebs
Managing Successful Programme – MSP
ILX Group
Agile Programme Management – AgilePgM
DSDM CONSULTING LTD
Agile Project Management – AgilePM
DSDM Consortium
ISO 27001
EUIPO
SPP - SCRUM PAR LA PRATIQUE
Valtech Training
Directing Successful Projects with Prince2
ILX Group
DSDM Atern v2
DSDM Consortium
Prince2 Registered Practitioner, version 2009
APM Group
Financial Risk Management
Institute for Training and Consulting in Banking Ltd.
Bank Professional
Institute for Training and Consulting in Banking Ltd.
Monetary Direction
Institute for Training and Consulting in Banking Ltd.
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