Matti Tiirakari
Hermance (GE)
Summary
Visionary leader with proven track record in steering big science organizations toward success through strategic planning and inclusive management. Talented professional with several years of experience and successful career in big science, shipping and diplomatic service.
Creative and highly strategic with excellent leadership and stakeholder relations abilities. Demonstrated ability to transform challenges into opportunities, resulting in significant impact on organizational effectiveness and improvements in employment branding. Eager to contribute to a dynamic team and support organizational goals.
Overview
35
35
years of professional experience
Work History
COO - Chief Operating Officer
EMBL European Molecular Biology Laboratory
Heidelberg
01.2024 - Current
- Directs daily operations of the organization.
- Supports the CEO (Director General) with financial, operational insights, and strategic decision-making.
- Facilitates change management initiatives in order to streamline operations.
- Provides organizational leadership and collaborates with executive partners to establish long-term goals, strategies, and organizational policies.
- Acts as a primary liaison between the organization and its external stakeholders, including member state ministries, funding agencies, and national authorities.
- Leads the design and implementation of business strategies, plans, and procedures.
- Develops comprehensive risk management plans to protect organizational assets.
- Provides organizational leadership and collaborates with executive partners to establish long-term goals, strategies, and organizational policies.
- Coordinates major project initiatives from planning through to execution, ensuring timely completion.
- Manages crisis situations to minimize the impact on operations and reputation.
Senior Advisor to the Director General
CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research
Geneva
01.2016 - 12.2019
- Conducted comprehensive research and data analysis to support strategic planning for CERN's FCC (Future Circular Collider) project.
- Provided support and guidance for the FCC project in regard to financial modeling and supply chain challenges.
- Represented the organization at industry events, conferences, and public meetings.
- Negotiated agreements with external partners such as contractors or consultants.
Deputy Director General/Admin & Project Director
ESS European Spallation Spource
Lund
01.2011 - 12.2015
- Led the establishment and funding negotiations of a new research organization (ESS) with host and member state ministries and authorities, including the European Union (DG Research unit).
- Established the governance bodies and committees (Council and Finance Committee), including the rules and regulations of a treaty organization: firstly, as a Swedish state-owned company, and then transferred to an ERIC (European Research Infrastructure Consortium) ESS ERIC.
- Established administrative and operative functions (HR, Legal Services, Finance, Security and Safety, Logistics and Supply/Procurement, Facilities Management, Risk Management, In-Kind Contribution), etc.
- Recruited top executives to run the organization and science project
- Negotiated funding for project start, and initiated steady-stage operational budget plans with host and member states' ministries, and national funding agencies in 15 European countries.
- Negotiated loans for the project funding with EIB (European Investment Bank) and Nordiska investeringsbank
- Represented the organization at industry events, conferences, and public meetings.
- Led cross-functional project teams in the development of a newly established research organization.
- Directed financial and budget activities to fund the project (2 billion euro construction budget).
- Streamlined supply chain management for in-kind contribution deliveries to reduce costs, and to enable maximum funding for science goals.
Head of Site Engineering and Management
CERN European Organization for Nuclear Reserach
Geneva
10.2008 - 12.2010
- Led CERN's general services team (400 technical experts and service collaborators) to run services, maintenance and support for 12,000 scientific users (on-site in Geneva).
- Demonstrated strong problem-solving skills, resolving issues efficiently and effectively.
- Managed inventory and supplies to ensure materials were available.
- Contributed innovative ideas and solutions to enhance team performance and outcomes.
Head of Supply Chain
CERN European Organization for Nuclear Reserach
05.1996 - 09.2008
- Led the Logistics and Procurement functions of CERN's LHC (Large Hadron Collider) with a 4 billion CHF construction budget.
- Implemented new improved supply chain processes to enhance efficiency and to meet LHC project requirements.
- Conducted capacity planning to ensure resources were adequately allocated to meet fluctuating demand.
- Monitored suppliers' activities to assess performance in meeting quality or delivery requirements.
- Managed a team of personnel responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations within the supply chain department.
- Ensured compliance with regulatory and safety requirements, and industry standards, across all supply chain processes.
- Managed cross-border logistics, including customs compliance and international shipping regulations.
- Designed supply chains to support the movement of heavy-load accelerator parts for worldwide deliveries.
- Negotiated heavy lift and special transport deals for accelerator parts and raw materials, listing savings worth over 28 million CHF compared to offered prices on a DDU basis.
Senior Vice President
Nielsen Shipping Corporation
Helsinki
07.1994 - 04.1996
- Led the liner shipping and chartering business functions of the Nielsen Group of Companies.
- Revitalized business plans and realigned company objectives to increase overall profits.
- Managed relationships with external partners, vendors, and stakeholders to ensure successful collaborations.
- Implemented strategic initiatives across organization, leading execution teams and providing personnel training to accomplish short- and long-term goals for growth, market expansion and product development.
- Led strategic planning and execution to enhance profitability and company growth.
- Provided strategic guidance to executive team on operational decisions and initiatives.
- Led negotiations to sell the Nielsen group of companies to a NY Stock Exchange-listed Fritz Corp. based in San Francisco in January 1996
Regional Manager
Norasia Shipping Lines Ltd.
Hong Kong
01.1993 - 06.1994
- Led the operations and marketing/sales functions of Norasia's container ship-fleet for Far East - Europe and Intra-Asia trade lanes
- Maximized branch revenue by optimizing daily operations.
- Developed and implemented clear policies and procedures across multi-state area.
- Mentored team members by demonstrating best practices for sales and customer service.
- Analyzed business performance data and forecasted business results for upper management.
- Remained calm and professional in stressful circumstances and effectively diffused tense situations.
Regional Manager
Norasia Shipping Lines Ltd.
Venice
04.1991 - 12.1992
- Acted as the owner's representative at Norasia's Mediterranean head office in Venice, Italy.
- Organized promotional events to generate interest in products or services offered by the company.
- Assisted district managers in developing marketing plans for their respective districts.
- Identified new business opportunities through market research and industry trends.
- Negotiated contracts with port authorities and stevedoring companies to secure favorable terms and rates for the fleet calling at ports within the Far East, Southern Europe freight conference alliance (FESEFC).
- Conducted regular meetings with district managers to discuss sales performance and provide guidance on improvement tactics.
- Hired talented, trainable team members, and drove new business strategies to grow revenues.
Trade Commissioner /Diplomatic Officer
Finnish Foreign Ministry / Embassy of Finland in Bern, Switzerland
Bern
10.1989 - 04.1991
- Served as Trade Commissioner, promoting Finnish industry and trade, and Finland's interest in Switzerland to external stakeholders, such as government agencies, businesses, and non-profits.
- Planned and led team meetings to review business results and communicate new and ongoing priorities.
- I attended embassy and diplomatic/ministerial events to represent my country.
- Collaborated with other governmental entities on shared initiatives and programs for export and trade
- Conducted research on relevant topics to support Finland's export industries.
Education
MBA - International Trade Management
Fintra, Finnish Institute For Trade Management
Helsinki, Finland05-1991
Bachelor of Arts - Business Economics
Kotka Commercial Collage
Kotka, Finland05-1983
High School Diploma -
Katarina Collage
Kotka, Finland05-1978
Skills
- Organizational governance
- Strategic planning
- Human resources management
- Information technology management
- Logistics management
- Facilities management
- Risk management
- Financial management
- Change management
- Compliance management
- Budget administration
- Communication & outreach
- Executive leadership
- Technology and knowledge transfer
Languages
Finnish
First Language
Swedish
Proficient (C2)
C2
English
Proficient (C2)
C2
German
Proficient (C2)
C2
French
Proficient (C2)
C2
Italian
Upper Intermediate (B2)
B2
Affiliations
- Sailing
- Piano playing
Accomplishments
- PFA (Pro-Finlandensi Arte) Finnish Expert in Export Trade Management
- Publication: "Sveitsi mahdollisuus etabloitujalle" 1991 FINTRA / Matti Tiirakari
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
COO - Chief Operating Officer
EMBL European Molecular Biology Laboratory
01.2024 - Current
Senior Advisor to the Director General
CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research
01.2016 - 12.2019
Deputy Director General/Admin & Project Director
ESS European Spallation Spource
01.2011 - 12.2015
Head of Site Engineering and Management
CERN European Organization for Nuclear Reserach
10.2008 - 12.2010
Head of Supply Chain
CERN European Organization for Nuclear Reserach
05.1996 - 09.2008
Senior Vice President
Nielsen Shipping Corporation
07.1994 - 04.1996
Regional Manager
Norasia Shipping Lines Ltd.
01.1993 - 06.1994
Regional Manager
Norasia Shipping Lines Ltd.
04.1991 - 12.1992
Trade Commissioner /Diplomatic Officer
Finnish Foreign Ministry / Embassy of Finland in Bern, Switzerland
10.1989 - 04.1991
MBA - International Trade Management
Fintra, Finnish Institute For Trade Management
Bachelor of Arts - Business Economics
Kotka Commercial Collage
High School Diploma -
Katarina Collage
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