KPN
Leading telecom provider KPN is set on becoming the technology reference in the industry. As leader in the Technology Strategy, Transformation, and Architecture team, the VP Digital & Platforms drives the innovation agenda for IT and service platforms for the B2B and B2C market, leading the charge from vision to the execution of groundbreaking transformation programs.
About KPN
Founded in 1881, Dutch telecom provider KPN has always strived to keep its private customers (B2C) and business users (B2B) connected anytime, anywhere, offering a portfolio of fixed and mobile, internet, TV, network, cloud, connectivity, hosting, and security services. With approximately forty percent market share and more than 9,700 employees, KPN realized a turnover of 5.4 billion euros in 2023. In November last year, the company unveiled the Connect, Activate, and Grow strategy for the next four years to shape a future where KPN stands at the forefront of innovation, connectivity, and sustainability.
KPN’s Technology Strategy, Transformation & Architecture (TSTA) TSTA plays a fundamental role in KPN’s strategy. The department is building the most progressive digital and AI-driven process and IT chain infrastructure in Europe. As the beating heart of technological innovation in KPN, the close-knit team thrives on deep expertise and the capacity to translate technological opportunities into specific and robust technologies and strategies for KPN.
For the next five years, the TSTA team has identified three strategic pillars: leading digital experiences, leading telecom infrastructure, and leading operating model. These pillars encompass transformation programs such as Digital Customer Experiences, Cloud, GenAI, and Autonomous Operations. The VP Digital & Platforms plays a critical part in KPN’s transformation from telecom player to technology-driven leader.
Job description: VP Digital & Platforms
The VP Digital & Platforms (VP D&P) drives the end-to-end technological vision, strategy and architecture, and the resulting transformation programs for the domain of IT and service platforms at KPN. Specifically, they are responsible for the strategic initiatives regarding Data Platforms (implementing the internal data mesh), Platform Play (consolidating existing platforms and monetizing network and platform opportunities), InHome and Media (improving the customer experience at home), IT/Digital for B2B and B2C (for example, further digitizing customer journeys), and GenAI (identifying and capturing company-wide opportunities).
The VP Digital & Platforms develops structured and specific business cases to communicate the expected value of the transformation programs to the board, establishes the technology roadmap, and assesses the impact on KPN’s business model. During each step of the process—strategy, architecture, RFP, and implementation—they create alignment and a base of support in the organization through excellent stakeholder and change management, strategic sourcing, and the proactive management of external partnerships. In the end, the transformation programs help build the ultimate customer experience by integrally improving the customer journey, the level of service, and the technological processes.
“The VP successfully implements their vision for Digital & Platforms by creating alignment and support for the resulting transformation programs on all levels of the organization and managing the right external partners.” – Rachid el Hattachi, EVP Technology Strategy, Transformation & Architecture
The Digital & Platforms team consists of around fifteen strategists, enterprise architects with deep technological expertise, and transformation managers. The VP D&P has the opportunity to fill several roles in the team. To implement a truly integrated approach to innovation at KPN, they work closely with the other VPs in TSTA team and the Transformation Directors who manage the cross-functional execution of the different programs. They report to the Executive VP TSTA and communicate regularly with other C-level executives, challenging the status quo and getting KPN’s leaders aligned on the technological strategy going forward.
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced change leader with the capacity to drive large-scale transformations, bringing stakeholders at all levels of the organization along with their vision. They have the skills to lead a very experienced team and both the courage and content to challenge C-level executives. The VP D&P balances their expertise with a strong business sense and analytical skill to build convincing business cases that translate their vision into the value technological innovation can bring to KPN.
