Director EU IT (f/m/d)

Job description:

We are the brand for forward-thinkers. We celebrate challenging conventions and shaping the future of electric mobility. We focus on the essentials to bring perfection to customers. We make urban life more enjoyable and entertain our customers with new impulses.

Ever since smart exists, we rewrite the automotive industry’s rulebook. In the 1990s, we undermined the predominant philosophy of ‘bigger is better’ and designed a revolutionary car. Since 2020 we are the first car enterprise that switched to 100% electric! We aim to transform into a leading player in urban premium, electric & connected mobility provider.

Are you a forward thinker too? Then join us now!

start date: 1st of January 2026

Your Responsibilities:

• You hold full responsibility of the technology stack and service delivery of smart Europe
• You orchestrate and implement IT systems and cloud solutions in close collaboration with all IT and business departments
• You enable digital process consistency and performance across the hybrid cloud architecture landscape, including the API-layer
• You manage the interplay between various IT platforms, systems, and solutions—connecting enterprise IT (e.g. S/4 HANA, logistics systems) with telematic and connectivity car solutions (in-car and apps)
• You lead and mentor a team of 25 IT internal employees, including 5 direct reports across departments like Data & AI, IT Strategy & Delivery, Digital Innovation, Digital Workplace & Operations, and Service Engineering & Architecture
• You form a high-performing and cross-functional IT team, ensuring excellence in both process and product
• You oversee the departmental IT budget and allocate resources to support business objectives
• You collaborate cross-functionally with Program Steering and all business departments (e.g. Sales, Omnichannel, Customer Services) to align IT requirements and roadmaps
• You provide regular reporting on IT timelines and initiatives to senior management, offering insights and continuous improvement recommendations
• As part of the Extended Executive Board, you help define and implement the company’s overall vision and long-term strategy, with a strong focus on IT development and operations
• You report directly to the CFO, providing strategic IT guidance and input for the Common Functions round
• You work closely with the Global CIO and HQ IT in China, ensuring aligned initiatives and successful collaboration between EU and HQ IT, as well as smart Europe’s business departments
• You manage and coordinate external suppliers and third-party providers to ensure a sustainable and effective IT process landscape

What you bring along:

• A bachelor’s degree in computer science, Information Technology, Programming, or a closely related field
• 5+ years’ experience in information technology, ideally with a focus on data management and/or in the automotive industry
• A successful track record of leading digital business units or enabling IT organizations to build digital backbones and evolve toward hybrid cloud environments
• Solid understanding of modern databases and information system technologies, ideally in direct sales and/or e-commerce business models
• A highly analytical mindset with excellent problem-solving skills
• Outstanding communication and presentation skills, and the ability to translate stakeholder needs across all levels
• Perfect command of the English language is mandatory; additional European languages are a plus

We're building a workplace where amazing people like you can do their best work. Together with us, you enjoy the agile working atmosphere with cross-European responsibilities.

We're creating a culture where personal and professional growth are as important as business growth. Together with us, you will build a diverse and inclusive environment where you feel you belong to.

We empower you to have ownership over work