Application · Digital transformation
Steffen Herr
Chief Transformation Officer · CDO · CIO
Digitalisation only works once people carry it in their daily work. I connect strategy, technology and leadership, and I stay on it until the change works in daily operations.
- 25+
years of professional experience
- 13
years on the Executive Board, Portfolio Consult AG
- −28%
IT operating costs as Interim CIO
- 113
credentials, 19 IHK certificates
Transformation and digitalisation put people at the centre.
I bring technology to where it stays in operation: with clear roles, enabled teams and leadership that provides direction. Most recently as Interim CIO at Telelift GmbH: implemented Microsoft Dynamics 365, built IT governance and reduced IT operating costs by 28%.
What I bring
- Business Transformation Expert (IHK) and Digital Transformation & AI Expert (IHK); own AI platform herrlichAI with servers in Germany, GDPR-compliant.
- Most recently Interim CIO at Telelift GmbH: IT and process analysis, Microsoft Dynamics 365 implementation, IT governance, IT operating costs reduced by 28%.
- 13 years on the Executive Board of Portfolio Consult AG: managed organisation, sales and controlling across three business units.
- INQA coach (Initiative New Quality of Work, BMAS), New Work Expert (IHK) and certified mediator: change with people, not against them.
Target position
- Role
- Chief Transformation Officer, CDO, CIO or managing director with a transformation mandate
- Also
- Chief AI Officer, Head of Digital Transformation, Head of Division
- Employment
- Permanent, full-time
- Working model
- On site or hybrid
- Region
- DACH, preferably southern Germany
How I lead transformation
Four steps so that digitalisation does not fail on ownership afterwards, but stays in operation.
- 1 / 4
Define the use case and priority
IT and process analysis, target picture and roadmap: first clarify what really moves the company forward.
- 2 / 4
Build a working pilot
Results instead of slides: from the Microsoft Dynamics 365 implementation to my own AI platform herrlichAI.
- 3 / 4
Clarify rules and routines
Governance with SLA, RPO/RTO, RACI and TOMs: everyone knows who decides, who operates and who is accountable.
- 4 / 4
Enable the team
Taking people along and enabling them: change management (IHK), New Work Expert (IHK), INQA coach, leadership coaching.
How I lead
Leadership responsibility since 2004: from a branch team to 13 years on the Executive Board and overall IT responsibility as Interim CIO.
| Role | Period | Responsibility | Leadership |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interim CIO, Telelift GmbH | 08/2025 – 12/2025 | Overall IT responsibility, Microsoft Dynamics 365 implementation | Decision papers for the management team |
| Member of the Executive Board, Portfolio Consult AG | 03/2007 – 04/2020 | Strategic and operational management across sales, consulting and real estate | Running the company, 13 years |
| Financial Planner, SEB AG | 09/2005 – 02/2007 | Built up a new profit centre including the lending business | Line management of 7 employees and 4 apprentices |
| Branch Manager, SEB AG | 11/2004 – 08/2005 | Lending and deposit business, staff scheduling, training | Branch team of 5 |
Leadership principles
Confident leadership
Taking responsibility, providing direction and driving decisions, even under uncertainty and time pressure.
Clarity of roles and decisions
Clear responsibilities and authority prevent friction and escalation.
Negotiation and conflict resolution
Balancing interests, moderating objectively and resolving resistance constructively; certified mediator.
Entrepreneurial thinking
As board member and founder, keeping results, cost and risk in view; decisions for the whole company.
Impact, measured
Telelift GmbH, 08/2025 – 12/2025: IT and process analysis, governance with SLA, RPO/RTO, RACI and TOMs, Microsoft Dynamics 365 implementation. Result: IT operating costs reduced by 28%.
| Kategorie | IT operating costs at Telelift, index (before = 100) |
|---|---|
| Before | 100 |
| After | 72 |
- IT operating costs at Telelift, index (before = 100)
Career
- Training
1996–1999 - Volksbank
1999–2001 - SEB AG
2001–2007 - Executive Board
2007–2020 - Sabbatical
2020–2022 - Steffen Herr Consulting · Interim CIO
2022–today
08/2025 – 12/2025
Interim CIO and IT & Business Transformation Consultant
Telelift GmbH, Maisach near Munich
- Reduced IT operating costs by 28%
- Built IT governance with SLA, RPO/RTO, RACI and TOMs
- Led the Microsoft Dynamics 365 implementation
- Power BI reporting, decision papers for the management team
08/2022 – present
Owner and Founder
Steffen Herr Consulting, Bietigheim-Bissingen
- Consulting and interim management for owner-managed mid-sized companies
- IT and process transformation, interim and project management
- Developed the AI platform herrlichAI, servers in Germany, GDPR-compliant
04/2020 – 07/2022
Sabbatical
Professional realignment
- Further training in business development, leadership coaching, change management and digital transformation
03/2007 – 04/2020
Member of the Executive Board
Portfolio Consult AG
- Strategic and operational management across sales, consulting and real estate
- Sales and organisational development
- Acquired and managed call centres across Europe
- Controlling and organisational management
07/2001 – 02/2007
Branch Manager and Financial Planner
SEB AG, Esslingen and Stuttgart
- Built up a new profit centre including the lending business
- Line and functional management of 7 employees and 4 apprentices
07/1996 – 06/2001
Bank clerk, client advisor, certified banking specialist
Volksbank Plochingen eG, GENO Akademie Stuttgart
Core competencies
- General management
- Strategy development and execution
- Business and digital transformation
- Change management
- IT governance
- ERP implementation Microsoft Dynamics 365
- Process optimization and lean management
- Program and project management
- Controlling and reporting (Power BI, OKR)
- Sales and business development
- Leadership and people management
- Negotiation
- AI in business
- Data protection and information security
- Coaching and mediation
Credentials (selection)
- BAFA-listed management consultant, ID 193982
- INQA coach, Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs
- Business Transformation Expert (IHK)
- Digital Transformation & AI Expert (IHK)
- Data Process Expert (IHK)
- Professional Scrum Master I and II (Scrum.org)
- Agile Leadership Specialist (IHK)
- Quality Management Specialist (IHK)
- Certified Mediator / Coach
Credentials by field
113 · Credentials per field, as of October 2026.
- AI & generative AI31
- Agile & Scrum18
- Tools & digital methods14
- Business transformation & leadership12
- Communication & sales12
- Digitalisation & digital business7
- Creativity & innovation7
- Lean, process & quality5
- Specialisations & state accreditations4
- Health & self-management3
Documents
CV in English and German. After a short entry of your contact details, both versions are ready to download immediately.
Contact
I look forward to a conversation, also confidentially through your executive search firm.