Chief Operating Officer

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 externa