Interim Operations Director — Dealer Network Recovery
Italy·Consumer & Retail·Retail and franchise networks· Bologna·Posted 8 July 2026
Applications close 6 November 2026
Retail and franchise networks organisation in Italy
The problem this seat exists to solve
The interim operations director will lead a recovery programme across a dealer network, working through the commercial and operating arrangements that govern independent businesses. The role requires delivery accountability while recognising that a dealer cannot be managed as though it were a directly owned branch.
Restore performance without confusing ownership
Establish an evidence-based view of dealer performance, customer experience, stock, service capacity and financial resilience. Identify where underperformance reflects weak execution and where central policies or supply constraints contribute. Prioritise interventions according to customer consequence and network importance.
Work through the real levers
Agree improvement plans with accountable dealer and central leaders. Address training, stock availability, lead handling, service processes and local performance management where these affect outcomes. Resolve central issues that dealers cannot fix themselves. Escalate contractual or appointment decisions through the authorised route.
The director should create a clear review process for commitments and exceptions. Avoid accepting repeated promises without evidence, but also avoid imposing targets unsupported by demand or resources. Material investment, termination or changes to commercial terms remain subject to approval.
Who can deliver this assignment
Candidates need senior dealer, franchise or authorised-retailer network experience with responsibility for operating performance. They should have led interventions across independent operators and understand the importance of commercial credibility, contractual boundaries and mutual accountability. Financial literacy and practical customer-service judgement are essential.
Applicants should explain how they handled a dealer whose weakness affected the wider network, including the evidence, central support and consequences involved. The ability to distinguish relationship management from avoidance of difficult decisions is important.
Completion means a working network process
Leave clear performance expectations, named ownership of central dependencies and a sustainable review cadence. Document locations requiring longer-term decisions and the basis for those recommendations. Success will be measured through improved customer delivery and dealer execution, with transparent treatment of unresolved risks. The network should not depend on the interim director personally mediating every disagreement after the assignment ends; central teams and operators must understand how issues are decided and followed through.
Terms
- Where the board sits
- Bologna, Italy
- Applications close
- 6 November 2026
- Appointment
- Interim executive
- Compensation
- EUR 900–1,450 per day (indicative interim day rate)
Before you apply — this is an executive role
An interim seat needs work authorisation. A board seat in Italy usually does not.
This is the single most common way a cross-border interim engagement falls apart after it has been agreed. The visa-free position that applies to a non-executive director attending board meetings does not extend to an executive or operating role.
- Position in Italy
- A non-executive director attending board meetings does not require a permit. Executive roles for non-EU nationals do, and are subject to the immigration decree quotas.
- On this brief
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