Robert Szalai

Operating as a freelance IT project and transition manager, supporting complex enterprise and public sector IT initiatives since 2014. Focus on high-impact transitions, system migrations, process digitization, and project recovery. Led programs across infrastructure, ServiceNow, DMS, ERP, and CRM platforms. Assignments delivered for or with TK Elevator, BMW, Sky, MEAG, Sirona, HP, DXC, FITS, public institutions and others – with full ownership, structure, and stakeholder alignment.

Advised mid-sized energy client on selecting a demand and portfolio management tool. Acted as strategic sparring partner for IT and leadership, compared ServiceNow and Clarity, structured rollout preparation. Engagement delivered via consultancy firm under NDA.

Led digital transformation across EU entities with focus on ServiceNow and OpenText DMS implementations. Oversaw vendor deliverables, coordinated integration with central SAP systems and ensured regulatory compliance. Acted as liaison between business units, IT leadership and external partners. Structured delivery across 150+ releases. Freelance engagement via a service partner under confidentiality agreement

Led global EUC transition for premium automotive group. Migrated 150,000+ devices at 250+ sites in 26 countries. Designed global rollout strategy incl. staging centers and TISAX compliance. Aligned workplace standards, managed cutover planning, provider coordination, SLA tracking and ensured audit readiness from day one. This project was delivered under a freelance assignment via a DXC Technology service provider. Client name withheld due to confidentiality.

Acted as technical lead for hybrid IPTV platform rollout. Coordinated IT & technology streams, ensured architectural alignment, developed test strategy, roadmap, and rollout plan. Served as main contact between Sky, vendors and internal stakeholders. Project was executed under temporary employment via a service provider.

Directed infrastructure carve-out from DXC legacy environment and transition to client’s target platform. Managed exit/cutover strategy, secured security and compliance signoffs, aligned internal and external stakeholders. Delivered a fully audit-ready, zero-downtime migration on schedule and without operational disruption Project context and client identity remain confidential. This project was delivered under a freelance assignment via a DXC Technology service provider.

Dual role at FITS: Delivered solution designs in banking IT and led a T&T subproject on contract & SLA transition. Worked with internal architects, legal and implementation teams. Ensured architecture compliance and documentation readiness. Engagement executed under a freelance agreement via a service provider. Client identities and content subject to NDA.

Developed BCM framework aligned with BSI 100-4 for infrastructure relocation. Conducted BIA across departments, defined fallback and recovery strategies, integrated data protection & IT security. Delivered audit-compliant documentation adopted as group-wide standard. Project delivered under the compliance and information security standards of Munich Re Group. Freelance project via service partner.

Planned IT/office relocation to new HQ (1,100+ workstations). Assessed infrastructure, designed fallback concepts, telecom and network planning. Integrated BCM measures and decommissioning strategy. Delivered under MEAG compliance. Follow-up project commissioned due to success. This freelance assignment was delivered via a service partner within a regulatory-sensitive infrastructure program. The project was executed in alignment with the compliance and information security standards of Munich Re Group.

Led the transformation and migration of complex enterprise IT environments into HP’s new strategic data center at Frankfurt eShelter. Delivered carve-outs, infrastructure modernization, and carve-ins across multiple client systems with strict audit, performance, and downtime requirements. Directed cross-functional teams, ensured compliance, and completed all migrations in seven waves with zero downtime. Freelance role via HP service provider.

Supported infrastructure planning within a nationwide IT transformation for the public sector. Delivered site concepts and documentation for 17 military facilities. Focus: cabling, server rooms, fallback setups. Acted as interface between civil and military project teams. Ensured compliance with federal IT security standards. Assignment executed under temporary employment via a service provider and strict NDA

Designed transformation strategy and presales concept for workplace services transition targeting a leading insurer. Defined governance, led architecture and SME coordination. Supported bid phase and senior client presentations. Client name withheld due to confidentiality. Engagement under temporary contract via service provider.

Delivered data center transformation and migration plan for HP-internal consolidation program. Led planning, stakeholder coordination, and risk management. Managed architecture interface and PMI governance. Client identity confidential. Temporary role via HP service provider.

Held strategic and operational IT leadership for USG People Germany and 70+ locations. Managed IT integration post-merger for eight subsidiaries, aligned IT with business strategy, and rebuilt national infrastructure. Directed rollout of ERP/CRM/DMS platforms (incl. DATEV), standardized systems across Citrix, VMware, Microsoft, Oracle. Managed internal/external teams and international coordination (NL, BE). Enabled scalable growth, improved stability, and introduced service-oriented IT operations.

Built and led a consulting division for ERP and DMS solutions in wholesale and financial services. Directed the complete lifecycle of an Oracle-based ERP/WMS platform – from specification to market rollout. Managed ERP/DMS/PPS implementations, acted as key interface to pilot clients, led infrastructure and migration projects, and authored whitepapers on SharePoint and MS Project. Held responsibility for process modeling, knowledge management, and Microsoft partnership initiatives.

Aufbau und Betreuung von Joint-Venture-Unternehmen in Osteuropa (Tschechische Republik und Polen) in den Bereichen: Geschäftsprozesse, IT, Fertigung, Ablaufplanung und Organisation

Abgeschlossene Berufsausbildung zum Technischen Zeichner Versorgungstechnik bei der Höber GmbH. Fokus auf Heizungs-, Klima- und Sanitärtechnik in der Gebäudeversorgung. Erlernte Fähigkeiten in technischer Zeichnung, Planung gebäudetechnischer Systeme und technischer Dokumentation. Abschluss mit Gesellenbrief im Januar 1989.

Wehrdienst als Soldat auf Zeit (SaZ 2) bei der Bundeswehr. Eingesetzt im Panzerbataillon 243 (Kommandeursbataillon) in Pocking/Kirchham als Richt- und Ladeschütze auf dem Leopard 2. Zusätzlich als Waffenkämmerer verantwortlich für Waffenverwaltung, Sicherheit und technische Einsatzbereitschaft. Die Erfahrung förderte Disziplin, Technikverständnis und Führungsverantwortung – besonders wertvoll im Austausch mit militärischen Stakeholdern in späteren IT-Projekten.

Studium der Betriebswirtschaftslehre mit Schwerpunkten in: - Informatik für Wirtschaftswissenschaftler - Versicherungswirtschaft & Risikotheorie - Unternehmensforschung für Wirtschaftswissenschaftler (Operations Research) Diplomarbeit im Fach Absatz/Handel zum Thema: „Exportmarketing – Konzept zur Überwindung von Exporthemmnissen ehemaliger Comecon-Länder mit Fallstudie Ungarn"