Open to opportunities

Astrid Russo

@astridrusso

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Executive leader driving strategy execution, operational optimization, and CEO partnership.

Switzerland

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What I'm looking for

I’m seeking a Chief of Staff, Chief of Operations, or Executive Assistant role where I can apply strategy execution and operational optimization to partner with executives, improve efficiency, and deliver measurable business value—especially through data-driven decision-making and clear execution.

I am a bilingual executive leader with extensive international experience supporting CEOs, executive teams, and cross-functional departments in fast-paced, high-growth organizations. In my current role as Chief of Staff, I translate strategic priorities into operational programs, ensuring alignment across business units and sustained progress against growth objectives.

I direct complex initiatives including M&A readiness, organizational restructuring, and exit strategy planning, serving as the central liaison between executives, investors, and department heads. I strengthen decision-making by streamlining reporting structures and promoting transparency, and I coordinate investor relations by producing financial updates, strategic presentations, and due diligence materials—including overseeing a Virtual Data Room initiative.

I’m recognized for optimizing efficiency and strengthening communication to enable data-driven decision-making that enhances financial performance. I have executed workforce optimization that reduced headcount by 39.7% while maintaining productivity, helped deliver a +25% EBITDA improvement through operational efficiencies, and elevated internal communication to drive a 107% increase in employee Net Promoter Score (eNPS); across my career, I also mentor global teams and guide leadership workshops to elevate capability and preserve executive-level discretion.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Chief of Staff

Current

Learnship Networks GmbH

Apr 2024 - Present (2 years)

Partnered with the CEO to translate strategic priorities into operational programs and coordinated execution across business units. Led M&A readiness, organizational restructuring, and exit strategy planning while driving workforce optimization (39.7% headcount reduction), EBITDA improvement (+25%), and a 107% increase in employee eNPS.

Strategy + Execution Executive Support Strategic Exits Investor Relations Stakeholder Management Process Optimization

Global Team Lead - Ops

Learnship Networks GmbH

Feb 2023 - Apr 2024 (1 year 2 months)

Defined and executed the Account Operations vision, aligning global Sales, Services, Product, Finance, and Legal teams around shared objectives. Improved operational efficiency by 35% through process optimization and mentorship of 15 global team members.

Operational Leadership Process Optimization Stakeholder Management Continuous Improvement Workflow Design

Global Deputy Team Lead

Learnship Networks GmbH

Nov 2022 - Jan 2023 (2 months)

Supported Account Operations strategy and refined internal processes to improve efficiency and adaptability. Backed senior leadership on global client escalations and coordinated Finance, Legal, Sales, and Product to resolve cross-department challenges and ensure consistent service delivery.

Deputy Leadership Escalation Management Process Improvement Cross Functional Collaboration Client Operations Stakeholder Management Service Delivery

Continuous Improvement Mgr

Learnship Networks GmbH

Jul 2022 - Nov 2022 (4 months)

Embedded performance metrics and data-driven insights into daily operations to drive continuous improvement. Implemented scalable tools and training programs to strengthen organizational capability and address structural weaknesses impacting profitability and growth.

Continuous Improvement Performance Metrics Data Driven Decision Making Workshop Facilitation Scalability Change Management

Head of Customer Service

Intersellers GmbH

Feb 2021 - Jun 2022 (1 year 4 months)

Designed and deployed customer service strategy, including KPI frameworks, team structure, and operating models that scaled with business expansion. Managed escalation processes and onboarded new employees while partnering with Sales, Product, and Operations to align service delivery with business priorities.

Customer Service Strategy KPIs Escalation Management Onboarding Coaching Cross functional Leadership Client Retention

Performance Maxmizer

Trivago GmbH

Nov 2014 - Sep 2015 (10 months)

Built and managed international sales teams across multiple markets through recruiting and training. Developed business cases for new product opportunities and provided account management for DACH clients while directing sales capability expansion globally.

International Sales Recruiting Business Case Development Account Management Market Expansion Client Relationship Management Strategic Planning

Hotel Sales Project Manager

Trivago GmbH

May 2014 - Nov 2014 (6 months)

Launched a hotel sales strategy to reinvigorate momentum and expand growth opportunities. Managed a 15-member team, defined KPIs and targets, ran monitoring practices for performance visibility, and led market segmentation and account assignment analysis.

Sales Strategy KPI Analysis Team Leadership Market Segmentation Monitoring Sales Process Optimization Training Delivery

Talent Developer - Mgmt

Trivago Hotelrelations GmbH

Designed onboarding content and delivered operational training across policies, tools, and processes to improve new-hire productivity. Conducted monthly performance assessments and coordinated onboarding initiatives to increase consistency and reduce time to full productivity.

Training Delivery Talent Development Coaching and Mentoring

Project Manager, Advertiser

Trivago N.V.

Oversaw global development projects balancing performance monitoring, troubleshooting, and stakeholder engagement to deliver reliable advertiser outcomes. Recruited, trained, and managed junior project managers, and produced documentation and reporting to support transparent execution and data-driven decisions.

Project Management Stakeholder Management Performance Monitoring Troubleshooting Team Leadership Documentation And Reporting

Sales Operations & Org

Grapecheck GmbH

Expanded customer support and success capabilities to strengthen client retention and operational stability. Coordinated sales operations to streamline internal processes and served as a stakeholder liaison between leadership and operational teams.

Sales Operations Customer Support Client Retention Stakeholder Management Operational Stabilization Workflow Optimization