Carl Philipp Niermann

Transformation & AI Strategy · Operations & BD · Innovations · Executive MBA TUM · St. Gallen · Berkeley

Bochum, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

About

I help organisations close the gap between strategic ambition and operational reality across transformation, AI adoption, and complex change. Over 15 years I have done this from three different vantage points: as a founder who built a company from zero to 50 people and 7-figure revenue, as a transformation advisor working with mid-market and public sector organisations across DACH, and as someone with deep roots in political and regulatory environments across Germany and the EU built through years of real work, not networking events. My Executive MBA at TU Munich, University of St. Gallen and UC Berkeley (distinction) sharpened what I had long been practising in the field. My thesis developed an integrated AI Target Operating Model, a practical framework for organisations transitioning into AI-enabled structures. It reflects the same thinking I bring to every engagement: how do you design a system that actually runs, not just a strategy that looks good on paper. What makes my profile unusual is not any single capability, it is the combination. Operational credibility. Transformation methodology. And access to decision-makers in business, politics and regulation that opens conversations others cannot have. I am selectively open to senior roles where this combination creates real value in transformation leadership, business development, government affairs, or general management.

Experience

  • Deputy CEO / COO at Celstor GmbH
    Jan 2026 - Present · 6 mos

    Responsible for the operational build-out and scaling of a battery energy storage scale-up — covering organisational structure, team development, processes and the management of project and operational performance. - Built the operating system from scratch: roles, cadence, KPI framework and governance for scalable execution - Standardised the delivery pipeline: qualification → engineering & planning → execution → operations - Interface management across commercial, engineering, finance and external partners; stakeholder management with clients and market participants - Developed repeatable decision frameworks for asset ownership (IAB) vs. contracting models, including economic evaluation Impact: Realisation of energy storage and hybrid systems for industrial and commercial sites, reducing peak loads, stabilising energy costs and supporting grid stability through flexibility contributions.

  • Principal | Digital Transformation at Heesen.digital
    Jun 2022 - Dec 2025 · 3 yrs 7 mos

    - Strategic planning and delivery of digital transformation programmes for companies in pharma wholesale, retail, trades and the public sector - Designed and established "Digital First" organisations: product and process strategy, change management, full requirements lifecycle across Waterfall, Scrum, Agile and Design Thinking

  • Managing Director at Meine Brille GmbH
    Sep 2010 - May 2022 · 11 yrs 9 mos

    - Developed and advised on digital and stationary business and product strategies (multi-channel concepts) for production, wholesale and retail in the optical industry; B2B/B2C - Led project management, product development, sales, online marketing, campaign and partnership management across DACH and Scandinavia - Customer journey design, market research, PR, digital strategy; disciplinary and functional leadership of international teams

  • Trainee, CO₂ Emissions Trading at RWE POWER AG
    Jul 2009 - Aug 2010 · 1 yr 2 mos

    - Developed RWE’s business plan for entry into free CO₂ certificate trading: project leadership, analysis, implementation, Kyoto Protocol standards, stakeholder management and partner identification for compensation projects in Russia, India and Europe — including Bosch and Siemens - Product development for EV charging infrastructure in the Ruhr region

  • Commercial Employee at Hartmut Räder Wohnzubehör GmbH
    Jan 2001 - Feb 2009 · 8 yrs 2 mos

    Early career commercial experience: international sales and procurement, production projects in Asia, international trade fair business in the home accessories sector.