Country Manager Italy — Content & Publishing Group

Build on a strong legacy. Lead a digital and AI transformation. Accelerate the next phase of growth in Italy.

JOlivier & Partners is supporting a leading international content and publishing organisation in the appointment of its Country Manager Italy, based in Milan.

The Organisation & Context

Our client combines global scale with strong local relevance, a consistent growth record, a collaborative culture and a close-knit leadership team. The Country Manager will have full responsibility for the Italian P&L and legal entities, define and deliver the three-year business plan and annual budget, and present strategy and results to the Board. A key priority is to lead the organisation through its next phase of digital and AI-enabled transformation.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategy: define and execute the Italian growth strategy in line with group objectives, deliver the three-year plan and budget, and contribute to group-wide decisions.
• Growth: strengthen brand reputation and reach, and develop B2C, B2B, B2B2C, B2G and purpose-driven business, supported by strategic partnerships with institutions and corporations.
• P&L: own the Italian P&L, drive revenue across all business lines, raise customer lifetime value and ARPU, and use consumer and data assets to create new revenue streams.
• Transformation: lead the digital and AI agenda, accelerate scalable customer-centric digital products, and promote data, platform and service-based business models, drawing on group solutions.
• Representation: represent the company with regulators, institutions, partners and industry leaders, and take part in governance forums and Board discussions.
• People: lead and develop a high-performing leadership team, drive engagement, accountability and change, and ensure governance, fiscal and regulatory compliance across the Italian entities.

Candidate Profile

• At least 15 years of leadership experience, including a senior role as Country Manager, General Manager or Managing Director in complex, multi-business environments with strong B2C and B2B exposure.
• A background in digitally enabled services such as media, telecommunications, utilities, insurance or consumer services.
• A strong record of growth and transformation, with full P&L accountability and experience leading large-scale organisational and digital change.
• Experience in international, matrix organisations.
• Genuine interest in digital innovation, AI and customer-centric business models.
• A customer-focused, entrepreneurial and resilient leadership style, with the presence to align diverse stakeholders around a common vision.
• A Master’s degree in Business, Economics, Marketing or a related field; an MBA is an advantage.
• Native or near-native Italian and fluent English (essential).

The Leadership Challenge

Transforming a respected, profitable organisation is often harder than fixing a struggling one: the case for change has to be made while the business is performing. The conversation with candidates will focus on how they have led digital transformation in an established business, created new revenue models and brought both local teams and headquarters along.

What Is on Offer

A base salary of €130,000 to €150,000, high autonomy and international visibility, and the opportunity to lead a respected organisation at a defining moment in its digital and AI-driven transformation.

Confidential Conversation

If your experience matches this mandate, apply through this page or contact João Oliveira for an initial confidential conversation about your background and objectives.