Ciorise SAP is reshaping its executive leadership to emphasize an AI-first, Suite-first approach. It is introducing a new Strategy & Operations division and appointing eight additional leaders to its expanded Executive Board.
Leadership Expansion and New Appointments
Starting in 2025, SAP is revamping its executive structure, with Sebastian Steinhäuser promoted to the Executive Board as the head of the newly created Strategy & Operations division. This division will focus on streamlining SAP’s strategy execution and optimizing internal processes. Additionally, SAP has integrated this function with Global Marketing, led by newly appointed Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) Ada Agrait, to enhance collaboration and digital engagement with customers and partners.
Steinhäuser, who joined SAP in 2020, has held key roles, including Chief Strategy Officer, overseeing Business Transformation Management, Business Network, and Sustainability. His promotion follows a broader reshuffling in August 2024, when Scott Russell (Head of Sales) and Julia White (Head of Marketing) unexpectedly departed the company.
SAP Supervisory Board Chairman Pekka Ala-Pietilä praised Steinhäuser’s strategic influence, stating,
“Since 2020, Sebastian Steinhäuser has played a key role in SAP’s corporate strategy. We see him as an important leader and architect of SAP’s future.”
Additionally, Executive Board member Thomas Saueressig, responsible for customer services and delivery, extended his contract until 2028 due to his contributions driving SAP’s cloud transition.
New Leadership in Technology and Revenue Operations
Several high-profile executive appointments have been made in SAP’s second management tier:
- Philipp Herzig assumes the Global Chief Technology Officer (CTO) role alongside his Chief AI Officer responsibilities. He will oversee SAP’s technology strategy, innovation, research, and corporate development, focusing on business AI and sustainability solutions. The CTO position had been vacant since September 2024 following the departure of Jürgen Müller due to misconduct.
- Jan Gilg and Emmanuel (Manos) Raptopoulos will jointly lead SAP’s Customer Success Organization as Chief Revenue Officers (CROs).
- Gilg, currently President & Chief Product Officer of Cloud ERP, will oversee SAP Americas and the global SAP Business Suite.
- Raptopoulos, presently Regional President of SAP EMEA, will manage SAP MEE and SAP APAC regions.
Driving SAP’s “AI-First, Suite-First“ Strategy
SAP is reinforcing its commitment to an AI-driven, integrated enterprise software approach. The newly formed Extended Executive Board—which includes Herzig, Gilg, Raptopoulos, Agrait, and others—will serve as a strategic advisory body, ensuring the global alignment and execution of SAP’s AI-first, Suite-first vision.
This restructuring also highlights SAP’s gender diversity challenges, as only three women—Agrait, Chief Communications Officer Monika Schaller, and Chief People Officer Gina Vargiu-Breuer—are among SAP’s 15-person leadership team (20%).
SAP is expected to announce a General Manager for its Business Suite division soon, further strengthening its leadership team as it accelerates AI and cloud transformation efforts.
