Chief Operating Officer

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Chief Operating Officer (COO) – Italy

Operations, Strategy & International Expansion – Institute Itech

- Full-time position
- On-site (Milan, Italy – with frequent international travel)
- Travel and meeting expenses will be reimbursed upon approval
- An NDA must be signed

This is a founding operational leadership role. The selected candidate is expected to enter Institute Itech not solely as an executive, but as a strategic partner — with a defined path toward equity participation and co-ownership of the company.

About Institute Itech:

Institute Itech is a private research, development and technological innovation institute based in Italy with an international vision. It was created to transform scientific knowledge, advanced engineering and emerging technologies into concrete solutions for the environment, health, data intelligence, artificial intelligence, urban systems and technological infrastructure.

The company is built on a multidisciplinary vision structured around six pillars: Education, Technology, Social, Nature, Research and Urban. Through these areas, Institute Itech develops high-impact projects capable of improving quality of life, making cities more sustainable and creating new models of scientific, industrial and social progress.

Its flagship projects include Memoria™ (AI-based neuroimaging and cognitive data intelligence), Oxyleaf™ (environmental monitoring and air quality technologies), Terra™ (advanced soil and ecological remediation systems), Polaris™ (strategic data infrastructure and positioning systems), Balloon™ (high-altitude sensing and urban climate platforms), and Biocity™ (integrated biourban planning and smart city ecosystems).

Institute Itech is entering a critical phase of international expansion, with active operations and development initiatives across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. The COO will be the principal architect of the operational infrastructure required to support and sustain this growth.

About the Role:

Institute Itech is seeking an exceptional Chief Operating Officer to lead the operational strategy, organizational development, and international expansion of the Institute at a defining moment in its evolution.

This is not a conventional COO appointment. Institute Itech is looking for an operational leader who brings not only executive expertise and organizational rigor, but also entrepreneurial conviction and a genuine stake in the company's future — someone prepared to enter as a strategic partner with equity participation and a clear path toward co-ownership of the entity.

The COO will work in direct partnership with the CEO, translating strategic vision into operational reality across all departments, geographies, and flagship projects. The role demands a candidate capable of building and scaling organizational structures, managing complex cross-border operations, and driving institutional efficiency while preserving the innovative and research-driven culture that defines Institute Itech.

The ideal candidate combines deep operational expertise with an international mindset, a proven track record in scaling organizations across multiple markets, and the personal commitment to grow with the company as a co-founder in spirit and in structure.

Responsibilities:





Operational Strategy & Organizational Development

- Define and lead Institute Itech's operational strategy in full alignment with the CEO's vision and the organization's international growth roadmap
- Build, structure, and scale the operational infrastructure across all departments and geographies
- Establish processes, governance frameworks, and organizational systems capable of supporting rapid international expansion
- Identify and address operational bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and risks across the Institute's activities

International Expansion & Cross-Border Operations

- Lead the operational dimension of Institute Itech's international expansion across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia
- Oversee the establishment and operational setup of new offices, entities, and partnerships in target geographies
- Coordinate cross-border teams and ensure operational consistency and institutional alignment across all locations
- Support the operational integration of new markets, including the Riyadh entity and future international presences

Project Portfolio Operations

- Ensure operational excellence across Institute Itech's flagship projects: Memoria™, Oxyleaf™, Terra™, Polaris™, Balloon™, and Biocity™
- Coordinate with project leads, department heads, and external partners to ensure timely delivery and resource alignment
- Define and monitor KPIs, milestones, and performance metrics across the project portfolio
- Anticipate and manage operational risks at both project and organizational level

People, Culture & Institutional Development

- Build and lead a high-performing operations team as the organization scales
- Define hiring priorities, organizational structures, and talent development frameworks in collaboration with the CEO
- Foster a culture of operational excellence, accountability, and international ambition
- Support the onboarding and integration of senior executive hires across geographies

Strategic Partnership & Corporate Co-Ownership

- Enter Institute Itech with a defined equity stake, reflecting the founding and strategic nature of the appointment
- Participate in the governance and strategic co-direction of the company alongside the CEO and CFO
- Contribute entrepreneurial commitment and personal investment — financial or network-based — as part of the entry agreement, to be defined during negotiation
- Represent Institute Itech at institutional, investor, and partner engagements as required

Requirements

- Minimum 10 years of senior operational leadership experience, with a significant track record in international expansion or multi-geography operations
- Proven ability to build and scale organizational structures across multiple markets and cultural contexts
- Experience managing complex, cross-functional teams in a fast-moving, growth-stage environment




- Strong understanding of corporate governance, operational risk management, and institutional development
- Demonstrated ability to translate high-level strategic vision into concrete operational execution
- Entrepreneurial conviction and financial standing to enter the company as an equity partner and co-owner
- Fluent Italian (mandatory)
- Fluent English (mandatory)
- Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills
- Availability for frequent international travel across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia

Preferred Qualifications

- Experience as COO, Managing Director, or equivalent in an innovation-driven, research, or technology organization
- Background in managing operations across Italy, the GCC, and Asian markets simultaneously
- Familiarity with venture-backed or research-funded organizational models
- Experience structuring and overseeing the operational launch of international subsidiaries
- Existing network within European, Middle Eastern, or Asian institutional and business ecosystems
- Additional language skills (Arabic, Mandarin, or French considered a significant asset)
- Exposure to deep-tech, environmental innovation, AI, or urban development sectors

Benefits Provided

- Founding operational leadership role with direct and lasting strategic impact on Institute Itech's trajectory
- Formal equity participation in Institute Itech, structured as part of the entry agreement
- Defined path toward co-ownership of the company alongside the CEO and CFO
- Direct partnership with the CEO and senior executive team
- Full operational mandate across a rapidly scaling international organization
- Access to a proprietary portfolio of deep-tech projects: Memoria™, Oxyleaf™, Terra™, Polaris™, Balloon™, and Biocity™
- Reimbursement of all approved travel and operational representation expenses

Compensation

This is a strategic partnership appointment. Compensation is structured to reflect both the executive nature of the role and the equity dimension of the engagement:

- Base salary component, to be defined based on candidate profile, experience, and negotiation
- Equity participation in Institute Itech, with terms defined during the selection process
- Path to co-ownership, formalized as part of the entry agreement alongside the CEO and CFO
- Additional performance-based incentives tied to operational and organizational milestones

All compensation and partnership terms will be discussed confidentially during the selection process.

How to Apply

Important: given the founding and strategic nature of this appointment, applications will be evaluated with particular attention to operational leadership track record, international experience, and entrepreneurial profile. A detailed Letter of Presentation is strongly recommended.

Please send:

- CV
- Letter of Presentation (strongly recommended) including: Your operational leadership experience and track record in international expansion
- Your vision for building and scaling Institute Itech's operations globally
- Your interest in and approach to entering Institute Itech as an equity partner and co-owner

E-mail: (email hidden)

Subject: WE2026 Job Application [IT009950] – Chief Operating Officer – [Name Surname]

Vedi l’offerta su Go Lavoro: golavoro.it/annuncio-lavoro/793dwp