MARKUS MACHA · HR & TRANSFORMATION

People.
Systems.
Possibilities.

I connect HR leadership, technology and financial insight — to help organisations move forward.

SALZBURG / AUSTRIA ••• BUSINESS MEETS PEOPLE

Portrait of Markus Macha
Markus MachaHR leadership. With perspective.

SELECTED WORK

Experience.
With an impact.

Different organisations. Different challenges. A shared focus: turning complex tasks into practical progress.

Seeing connections. Shaping change.

My professional profile has grown through a wide range of responsibilities: leading and developing people, shaping systems, interpreting numbers and turning change into practice.

My career began in telecommunications infrastructure. Technical sales and sales support led me to study business administration and information management, followed by a career in HR. This progression shapes how I see day-to-day operations, specialist challenges and the people who make organisations work.

I have held specialist and leadership roles in retail, manufacturing, technology, financial services and public administration. My experience includes building teams, compensation and HR systems, recruitment and people development, as well as restructuring, workforce budgets and complex SAP HCM projects.

Today I bring this experience together as Head of HR Systems, Budget and Controlling at the State Government of Salzburg. As the HR division’s AI officer, I also work on practical applications of artificial intelligence. Teaching, professional development and research add reflection and fresh perspectives to my practical work.

Many perspectives. One common thread.

Roles, responsibilities and results, from my current position back to the start of my career. Open any role to explore the details.

Oct 2022 – presentCurrentState Government of SalzburgHead of HR Systems, Budget and ControllingHR systems, workforce budgeting, controlling and AI in public administration.Salzburg · 2 roles
Since Nov 202315 team members

Head of HR Systems, Budget and Controlling

  • Administration and development of HR and self-service systems.
  • HR reporting, workforce controlling and payroll controlling.
  • Central financial planning for the state workforce budget; coordination of decentralised workforce budgets and personnel provisions.
  • Workforce establishment planning and responsibility for the central registry.
  • Data protection coordination and AI officer for the HR division.
  • Operational coordination in crisis situations.
Oct 2022 – Oct 2023Fixed-term project role

HR & SAP HCM Expert

  • Test management for the SAP HCM implementation covering 18,000 people, together with interim project leadership.
  • Acceptance planning and sign-off of the core administration and payroll system.
  • Training strategy, trainer guides and learning materials; organisation and delivery of training for around 60 users.

Results & contributions

  • Organisational development reducing staffing requirements by 3 FTE and annual overtime by approximately 1,000 hours.
  • SAP HCM go-live covering around 10,000 payroll relationships, with the required user expertise established across the department.
  • Introduction of the “Personalwegweiser” AI pilot and the tailored myHCM chatbot.
Nov 2021 – Sep 2022SPAR Österreichische Warenhandels-AGHead of Recruitment and Applicant ManagementRebuilding recruitment, turning data into insight and accelerating processes.Salzburg · 2 roles
Feb 2022 – Sep 20225 team members

Head of Recruitment and Applicant Management

  • Rebuilding the team and taking responsibility for recruitment and applicant management across SPAR Austria.
  • Functional leadership of recruiters and job centres; operational and strategic responsibility for recruitment software.
  • Recruitment of specialists and managers for headquarters, employer branding, onboarding, coaching and mentoring.
  • Process analysis to support the selection and introduction of an international talent management platform.
Nov 2021 – Sep 2022

HR Manager / SAP HCM

  • Analysis and interpretation of HR data to support senior management decisions.
  • Calculations and simulations of developments in individual salary groups.

Results & contributions

  • Shorter application processing times following the introduction of MicroStrategy recruitment reporting.
  • New job advertisement copy for stores and integration of 800 independent SPAR retailers into the recruitment platform.
  • Rapid introduction of a workforce planning and forecasting tool for 800 stores to support operations during lockdown.
Apr 2020 – Oct 2021State Government of SalzburgSAP HCM Project ManagerCross-organisational SAP HCM implementation with 42 people across 15 workstreams.Salzburg
Apr 2020 – Oct 2021Interim management · 42 project team members

SAP HCM Project Manager

  • Leading 15 workstreams in the SAP HCM implementation for the State of Salzburg, SALK and 60 municipalities.
  • Scope: personnel administration, organisational management, payroll, time management, self-service, digital personnel records and document management.
  • Responsibility from project initiation through approval of the detailed design and handover to implementation.
  • Requirements management and contribution to the development of SAP HCM organisational management.

Results & contributions

  • Reconciling the differing interests of the State of Salzburg and SALK as project sponsors.
  • Building a cross-organisational project team during lockdown.
May 2019 – Mar 2020Fressnapf Handels GmbHHead of Learning and Development AustriaLearning and development for Austria, including competency management and talent programmes.Salzburg
May 2019 – Mar 20203 team members

Head of Learning and Development Austria

  • Rebuilding and refocusing the learning and development team.
  • Delivery of international people development projects and recruitment of specialists for headquarters.
  • Training needs analysis, planning and delivery; responsibility for e-learning.
  • Design of specialist training, employer branding initiatives and a national talent management programme.

Results & contributions

  • Introduction of competency management and succession planning.
  • Evaluation and redesign of specialist training and career paths.
Oct 2017 – Apr 2019Miele Werk Bürmoos GmbHHead of Human ResourcesFull HR responsibility during a demanding restructuring phase.Bürmoos
Oct 2017 – Apr 2019Interim management · 3 team members

Head of Human Resources

  • HR leadership focused on a partial plant closure and implementation of a social plan covering 89 employees.
  • Responsibility for recruitment, employer branding, learning and development, apprenticeships, HR controlling and payroll.
  • Functional and disciplinary team leadership, works agreements, workforce budgeting and HR strategy.
  • HR projects, cooperation with temporary staffing providers, and organisational and people development.
  • Strategic sounding board for management on HR matters and workforce planning.

Results & contributions

  • Safeguarding knowledge transfer from 89 departing employees.
  • Creating regional employment opportunities through cooperation between companies.
  • Successful recruitment of specialists despite the partial plant closure.
  • Optimisation of shift planning based on demographic analysis and an employee survey.
Sep 2016 – Sep 2017Stiegl Getränke & Service GmbH & Co KGTeam Leader, Learning and Development and RecruitmentBuilding a new team and establishing standards for leadership, competencies and projects.Salzburg
Sep 2016 – Sep 20172 team members

Team Leader, Learning and Development and Recruitment

  • Establishing and leading the learning and development and recruitment team.
  • Leadership development, talent management and recruitment of specialists and managers.
  • Design and organisation of training, including trainer selection.
  • Recruitment marketing, employer branding, apprenticeship development and introduction of HR metrics.

Results & contributions

  • Design and delivery of a values-based leadership development programme.
  • Strategic competency management for field sales, including a development assessment centre.
  • Introduction of a project management standard with training for project managers, team members and the PMO.
  • Obtaining the Austrian “State-recognised Training Company” quality award.
Nov 2009 – Aug 2016SPAR Österreichische Warenhandels-AGSenior Learning and Development SpecialistHR systems, compensation and people development at organisational scale.Salzburg · 2 roles
Mar 2014 – Aug 2016

Senior Learning and Development Specialist

  • Strategic realignment of learning and development for SPAR stores with around 16,000 employees.
  • Planning, management and evaluation of people development initiatives and projects.
  • Supporting, advising and developing managers, from programme design to training delivery.
  • Team coaching and assessment using tools including INSIGHTS MDI and PEP.
Nov 2009 – Feb 20144 team members

Head of Compensation and HR Systems / SAP HCM Project Manager

  • Design, implementation and operation of SAP HCM applications and manager and employee self-service.
  • Establishing and leading Compensation & Benefits; development of management compensation and bonus schemes.
  • Coordination across IT, HR, learning and development and controlling; HR controlling and senior management reporting.

Results & contributions

  • Design, launch, operation and evaluation of the two-year SPAR fresh meat academy for internal qualification.
  • Design and introduction of a new comprehensive training programme for 800 SPAR stores.
  • Introduction of SAP Managers Desktop as a manager self-service tool and SAP HCM organisational management as a group solution covering around 45,000 people.
  • Analysis project for electronic payslips across the SPAR Group.
Jul 2009 – Nov 2009ÖBB Postbus-GmbHRegional Head of HR, SalzburgRegional HR leadership in public passenger transport.Salzburg
Jul 2009 – Nov 20092 team members

Regional Head of HR, Salzburg

  • HR responsibility for the Salzburg region and leadership of the regional HR team.
Nov 2006 – Jun 2009SKIDATA AGHuman Resources Generalist / Group ControllerConnecting HR management with group, R&D and project controlling.Grödig
Nov 2006 – Jun 2009

Human Resources Generalist / Group Controller

  • Workforce controlling and budgeting; HR benchmarking, salary development and bonus schemes.
  • Consolidated reporting, analysis and forecasting.
  • Introduction of R&D and project controlling.
  • Advice on employment and HR policy matters, and recruitment using assessment centres for management positions.

Results & contributions

  • Cost and time-to-market improvements through R&D controlling, contributing to an 800,000-euro improvement in operating profit in the first year.
Oct 2005 – Oct 2006Bausparkasse Wüstenrot AGProject Manager, HR IT Projects and Process ManagementHR IT projects and process management in financial services.Salzburg
Oct 2005 – Oct 2006

Project Manager, HR IT Projects and Process Management

  • Project leadership at the intersection of HR, IT and process management.
1985 – 2001Telekom Austria AGHead of Sales SupportFrom hands-on technical work through sales to team leadership.Salzburg · 3 roles
2000 – 200116 team members

Head of Sales Support

  • Leadership of the sales support team.
1996 – 2000

Technical Sales and Event Management

    1985 – 1996

    Telecommunications Infrastructure

    • Roles in installation, construction supervision and technical administration.

    Project scopes refer to their stated context. Headcounts, team sizes and payroll relationships represent different measures.

    Stay curious. Think ahead.

    Academic study, vocational education and focused professional development in business, technology, law and HR.

    2025–2026

    Digital Transformation

    MSc

    Pôle Paris Alternance Business School

    Master’s thesis on make-or-buy decisions for HR systems in public administration.

    2021–2026

    Economics and Business Administration · Doctoral Studies

    PhD

    Universidad Azteca · International Programs

    Dissertation on the value of professional experience and development of the DEEG model.

    2006–2007

    General Management

    MBA

    Joseph Schumpeter Institut, Wels

    Master’s thesis: Knowledge Management in Projects as a Tool for People Development.

    2006–2007

    Business Organisation

    Akad. BO

    Joseph Schumpeter Institut, Wels

    Academic programme in business organisation.

    2001–2005

    Business Administration & Information Management

    Mag. (FH)

    Salzburg University of Applied Sciences

    Diploma thesis on the economic benefits of workplace health promotion.

    Further studies, training & school education
    2020–2021

    Law

    University of Salzburg · first stage of study completed; additional qualification in administrative law.

    2016–2020

    Law and Business

    University of Salzburg · 105 of 180 ECTS completed; focused study of selected modules.

    2023

    Public Service Training · Level 3

    Non-legal public service roles · passed with distinction.

    1998

    Austrian Upper Secondary School-Leaving Examination

    School for working adults, Salzburg.

    1985

    Apprenticeship in Telecommunications Installation

    Initial vocational qualification.

    Certifications & additional qualifications

    Artificial Intelligence

    • Master Business with AI (MBAI®), Leaders of AI · applied professional training, 2026.
    • AI for Managers, Microsoft and LinkedIn.
    • Generative AI in HR, LinkedIn Learning.

    Training & Quality

    • Certified Adult Education Trainer, ISO 17024 · 2015, 2021, 2025; current certification valid until 2030.
    • ISTQB Certified Tester, Foundation Level · 2024.
    • Apprentice Trainer Qualification · 2014.

    HR Management & Payroll

    • Qualified HR Manager · 2010.
    • Certified Human Resources Manager, Deutsche Akademie für Management.
    • Payroll Accounting Qualification · 2012.

    Assessment & Coaching

    • Specialist training in people assessment · 2014, 2015, 2019.
    • INSIGHTS MDI, IMDE and Thomas VPA/PPA.
    • NLP-based coaching training · 2014–2016; NLP Practitioner.

    Additional Business Authorisations

    • Business authorisation for management consultancy, including business organisation.
    • Business authorisation for temporary staffing services.

    What I bring.

    01

    Systems & tools

    • SAP HCM · PA, OM, PT
    • engage
    • Microsoft Project & Visio
    • Excel & VBA programming
    • MicroStrategy for recruitment reporting
    • AI applications in HR
    02

    Methods & practice

    • Traditional and agile project management
    • Requirements, testing and training management
    • HR controlling, budgeting & reporting
    • Competency management & people assessment
    • Training, coaching & knowledge transfer
    • Organisational and people development
    03

    Languages

    German
    Native
    English
    C1 · advanced
    Italian
    A1 · basic
    Spanish
    Basic
    Chinese
    Basic

    Teaching · 2013–2016

    Salzburg University of Applied Sciences

    Lecturer in HR controlling and personnel administration with SAP HCM in the business administration programme.

    Community & workplace involvement

    Everyday responsibility

    Workplace first aider. Contributed to COVID-19 contact tracing for the State of Salzburg, 2020–2021.

    Beyond work

    Movement & curiosity

    Fitness, walking and hiking. Road cycling, mountain biking, cross-country skiing and motorcycling. And for a change of pace: cooking.

    Practice meets research.

    Four studies on workplace health, knowledge, HR systems and the value of experience. The summaries outline each question, contribution and stage of development.

    2026DissertationThe Value of Experience

    Labour-economic foundations, HR-based quantification and strategic justification of seniority-based pay.

    This dissertation explores how professional experience can be described and valued beyond directly measurable output, connecting labour economics with strategic HR management.

    The Dynamic Experience Evaluation Grid (DEEG) considers four dimensions: tacit knowledge, mentoring and multiplier effects, risk resilience and error prevention, and network capital.

    The study includes scenario-based exploration and a simulation-based consistency check using synthetic data. External empirical validation using real organisational data remains outstanding.

    • Tacit knowledge
    • Knowledge transfer
    • Compensation
    2026Master’s thesis · Digital TransformationHR Systems: Individuality or Standardisation?

    Make-or-buy decisions for HR systems in public administration: between individuality and standardisation.

    Using the transition from IPIS to SAP HCM in Salzburg, this thesis examines technical, economic and cultural decision criteria through a literature review and a qualitative single-case study.

    The Sociotechnical Expectation and Acceptance Model (SEAM) describes the gap between established user expectations and the perceived benefits of a new system, highlighting the organisational and cultural aspects of system change.

    SEAM is a conceptual approach derived from a single-case study. Quantitative longitudinal validation and testing in further organisations remain outstanding.

    • SAP HCM
    • Make or buy
    • Acceptance
    2006MBA master’s thesisKnowledge Management in Projects

    Knowledge management in projects as a tool for people development.

    This thesis connects project management, people development and organisational learning. It explores how knowledge within, about and from projects can be used and shared systematically.

    The focus is on lessons learned, communities of practice, IT support and systematic capture of experience before, during and after projects.

    • Learning
    • Project management
    • Knowledge transfer
    2005Diploma thesisThe Economic Value of Workplace Health

    The economic benefits of workplace health promotion in business administration.

    This thesis examines evaluation methods for workplace health promotion, considering qualitative benefits such as motivation, workplace climate and performance alongside absenteeism.

    It discusses cost-benefit and utility-based approaches, the limits of monetary valuation, and the integration of health promotion into leadership and organisational development.

    • Health promotion
    • Economic evaluation
    • Organisation

    Contact

    Contact

    For professional conversations and an exchange of ideas on HR management, leadership, digital transformation and knowledge.

    Emailmarkus.macha@outlook.com Phone+43 650 73 23 774

    Hallein · Salzburg · Austria

    Impressum

    Medieninhaber, Herausgeber und inhaltlich verantwortlich

    Markus Macha
    Döttlstraße 2
    5400 Hallein
    Österreich

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    E-Mail: markus.macha@outlook.com

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    Inhaltlicher Stand: Oktober 2026.

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    Stand: Oktober 2026.

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    Markus Macha
    Döttlstraße 2
    5400 Hallein
    Austria

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    Last updated: October 2026.