Daniël Oostdam

🌟 AI & Automation Sales Director | Building Enterprise CoEs, Leading Transformational Programs & Closing Multi-Million € Deals | DAX40/Blue Chip Trusted Advisor 🌟

Frankfurt, Hesse, Germany

About

Most enterprise AI initiatives fail because they're treated as IT projects, not business transformations. After 15+ years in digital transformation—including 12 years focused on AI and automation—I've mastered the art of bridging this critical gap. THE FOUNDATION: Joining ISG's DACH automation practice as its first regional hire, scaled it to become one of the region's market leader. This wasn't just about team building—I personally generated 100% of our automation business and consistently outperforming revenue targets to be recognized as a top sales resource in EMEA. My approach is simple: start with the business challenge, not the technology. PROVEN IMPACT: → Transformed an initial engagement with a major transportation company into a €6M+ multi-year strategic program → Delivered 40+ successful projects over 5 years for the world's largest consumer goods company → Rescued a failing automation program for a leading European insurer, stabilizing operations and saving €2M annually → Completed 150+ implementations across RPA, Conversational AI, Process Mining, and Generative AI → Designed and built Centers of Excellence for multiple DAX40/Blue Chip enterprises WHAT SETS ME APART: I'm both architect and builder. While others sell solutions, I: * Design comprehensive automation strategies and governance frameworks * Build high-performing teams across onshore/offshore/nearshore models * Implement hands-on solutions that deliver measurable ROI * Guide C-suite executives through their entire transformation journey * Scout and validate emerging technologies for competitive advantage CURRENT FOCUS: Through Oostdam Advisory and strategic partnerships, I help enterprises achieve operational excellence by: * Establishing or optimizing AI/Automation Centers of Excellence * Developing enterprise-wide automation strategies * Implementing next-generation technologies (Agentic AI, Intelligent Automation, Computer Vision, GenAI) * Ensuring sustainable transformation with positive business cases Whether you're a forward-thinking enterprise seeking transformation or a technology leader looking for strategic partnerships, let's explore how we can drive meaningful innovation together. 📧 [email protected] | 📱 +49 160 221 9846

Experience

  • Founder & Director at Oostdam Advisory
    Mar 2018 - Present · 8 yrs 4 mos

    Oostdam Advisory helps enterprise organizations achieve operational excellence through intelligent technology implementation and process optimization. As practitioners rather than traditional consultants, we combine deep AI and automation expertise with hands-on implementation experience across financial services, manufacturing, consumer goods, and public sectors. We bridge the gap between strategic vision and practical execution, empowering clients with proven methodologies that deliver measurable business value while reducing organizational risk.

  • Principal Consultant, ISG Automation DACH Lead at ISG (Information Services Group)
    Jul 2018 - May 2025 · 6 yrs 11 mos

    First Intelligent Automation hire in DACH; built practice from zero to market leader with full P&L ownership, driving transformative automation programs for DAX40/Blue Chip enterprises. Key Achievements: ▪️ Practice Leadership & CoE Architecture: Scaled the core team from zero while designing a flexible delivery model (onshore/offshore). Architected and implemented enterprise Centers of Excellence (CoEs) for multiple DAX40/Blue Chip companies. ▪️ Revenue Growth & Strategic Partnerships: Secured multiple multi-million Euro contracts, including transforming an initial pilot into a €6M+ multi-year program for a major transportation client. Forged key partnerships with leading vendors like UiPath, Automation Anywhere, Blue Prism, Cognigy and NICE. ▪️ Solution Delivery & Innovation: Delivered over 150 enterprise automation projects using RPA, GenAI, and Conversational AI, achieving typical efficiency gains of 20-35%. Grew a single project into a 5-year, 40-project strategic partnership with a world-leading CPG company. ▪️ Program Turnaround: Revitalized a failing program for a major European insurer by restructuring the delivery model and stabilizing operations, resulting in €2M in annual savings.

  • Senior Manager RPA at DPA Intelligent & Robotic Process Automation (I&RPA)
    Oct 2017 - Jul 2018 · 10 mos

    Responsible for program and project management in the field of intelligent and robotic process automation. This includes projects related to RPA implementation, process maturity and RPA readiness assessments, process optimization design/redesign for RPA, RPA proof of concepts (POC), establishing a RPA center of excellence (COE), RPA risk management and governance.

  • Infosys BPO (2 yrs 7 mos)
    • Manager Reporting & Automation
      Oct 2016 - Oct 2017 · 1 yr 1 mo

    • Reporting Officer iBPO a.s.r. Pensions
      Apr 2015 - Sep 2016 · 1 yr 6 mos

    • Operations Manager a.i. Service Team iBPO a.s.r. Pensions
      Jan 2016 - Jul 2016 · 7 mos

  • a.s.r. de Nederlandse verzekeringsmaatschappij voor alle verzekeringen (7 yrs 10 mos)
    • Project Coordinator Conversie
      Jan 2014 - Mar 2015 · 1 yr 3 mos

    • Medewerker projectexpertise
      Oct 2011 - Jan 2014 · 2 yrs 4 mos

      Werkzaam binnen projecten bij ASR Pensioenen

    • Medewerker Projectexpertise
      Jan 2011 - Oct 2011 · 10 mos

      Project UPO 2011