Pierpaolo Zara

AIDVANCE is a transformation and coaching practice focused on developing the next generation of PMO and Project leaders. Human first. AI ready. I work with PMO, Project, and Transformation professionals who want to move beyond execution and step into trusted leadership roles. And with organizations that understand performance today is a system design challenge, not a people pressure problem. With 25+ years of experience in financial services, portfolio management, PMO leadership, and large-scale transformation, my work now sits at the intersection of leadership maturity, career evolution, and practical AI fluency. What AIDVANCE delivers today: 📌 1:1 Career Coaching for PMO and Project professionals From operational roles to senior leadership, visibility, and influence. 📌 PMO Leadership Development Judgment under pressure, decision credibility, emotional intelligence, and system thinking. 📌 AI Fluency for Leaders Clear, grounded understanding of AI. Real workflows. No hype. No jargon. 📌 Career Positioning and LinkedIn Thought Leadership Helping professionals articulate value, not just list experience. 📌 Executive Advisory and Mentoring Supporting leaders navigating complexity, change, and strategic ambiguity. 📌 Independent Reviews PMO maturity, governance, and AI readiness assessments. AIDVANCE is not a tech consultancy. It is a partner for professionals and organizations navigating change with ambition and integrity. Based in Ticino, serving Italian and English-speaking clients across Switzerland and Europe.

- Responsible for successfully implementing strategy and portfolio PMO governance throughout Parent Bank Merger, post-acquisition of Credit Suisse by ensuring Business / IT continuity and seamless coordination across functions and integrating CS delivery and scope into UBS’ processes and Agile Governance - Tracking, managing and reporting on annual planning prioritization across funding, scope and capacity analysis and assessment within 2 Streams and 11 Crews (approx. 1600 resources and +200mUSD budget) - “Division of the Year” performer award completing yearly OKRs compliancy and further developments, aligned to central Governance directives, while driving process automation and efficiency improvements across reporting and planning workflows

- Directed full-cycle governance of a +CHF 100M Compliance Investment Portfolio, accountable for delivery, financial control, and regulatory execution, reporting to Executive Committee and Investment Governance Boards. - Successfully integrated regulatory mandates from FINMA and global authorities, ensuring audit-readiness and compliance closure across multiple jurisdictions. - Designed and implemented portfolio operating models including Agile Value Streams, Benefits Trackers, RAID logs, and strategic prioritization frameworks aligned with divisional leadership

- Orchestrated Agile transformation of 900+ FTE teams, introducing a Bank award winning capability-driven workforce database and streamlining roles, tooling, and delivery practices. - Delivered cost-efficiency and resilience through automation initiatives, legacy decommissioning, and workforce restructuring, reducing run costs and enhancing performance. - Designed and operationalized an enterprise-wide Portfolio Management Process, embedding it into the client’s performance management framework using Clarity PPM.

- Led +CHF 250M portfolios across Credit Risk and Finance divisions, managing 2000+ resources and 250+ projects, with consistent top 3 bank wide KPI performance and “Best in Class” recognition - Governed cross-functional demand planning and execution, facilitating strategic alignment, resource forecasting, and investment optimization throughout the annual cycle. - Developed Award Winning executive dashboards (“PAT” Tool) for strategic decision-making, providing real-time insight into portfolio health, financials, milestones, risks, and audit tracking.

- Led a Portfolio Management Office (PMO) of 8 FTEs during the post-merger IT and Business integration alignment of Fortis Bank NL into ABN AMRO. - Provided strategic PMO coaching and enablement to over 200 Project Managers across business units, implementing best practices in PRINCE2, Clarity, and Open Workbench methodologies. - Delivered Clarity PPM functional and operational support to the entire bank community (~3000 users), ensuring tool adoption, governance, and alignment with strategic planning needs.

- Delivered €75M “IT Separation” Program on time/budget, decoupling Fortis Belgium and Netherlands across 43+ Business/IT projects. - Led cross-border execution ensuring full compliance, business continuity, and infrastructure independence during legal separation

- Successfully managed the PMO for major acquisition and integration Program (“Symphony”), following the takeover of a German Life Insurance Company, worth of €33mEur - Passed with “European Program Top Achievement” an internal Regulatory Audit Award

- Led 2 major IT/business transformation programs post-merger (HBOS), delivering a unified network platform across UK operations. - Managed £120M+ budget with 7% underspend, achieved through tight financial control, change management, and risk governance

Co-Lead PMO for the “Alitalia Programme”, where the objective was to design and develop a revenue enhancement website with ticketing options. Program delivered on time and budget and results accordingly to Client’s requirements. Responsibilities included: - Helping the client partner to sell the Business Case and set up the Programme Office Team (4); - Assisting in the overall management of the Programme, with tracking and reporting costs (planned, forecasted and Actuals – with a budget in excess of €13m) and managing the collection of Programme performance data and development, identifying risks and deviations from the Programme objectives and where necessary propose schedule adjustments alongside with the Programme Director

- Managed over 2000 individual policies and premiums, ensuring timely payments and compliance. - Prepared internal financial reports, collaborating with various departments for accuracy. - Analyzed financial data to assess performance, providing management with actionable recommendations. - Contributed to profitability improvement strategies that enhanced overall financial health.