Alumni Story: Jens Sulek
In January 2025, Jens Sulek took over the leadership of the automotive division at Capgemini in Germany. In his role, he focuses, among other things, on how to support automotive manufacturers and suppliers in their transformation processes to remain internationally competitive in the future. Jens Sulek studied Information Systems with a focus on marketing at the University of Münster and specialized early in his career in strategy consulting and the automotive industry. After starting his career as a Project Manager for Marketing Communications at Porsche, he held positions at Jaguar Land Rover, McKinsey, and most recently IBM, as well as international assignments in China and the United Kingdom. We spoke with him about key experiences in his career and his connection to his alma mater.
Mr. Sulek, at the beginning of the year, you took over the leadership of the automotive division at Capgemini in Germany. What are your main responsibilities, and what attracted you to this new position?
One of the main responsibilities is supporting our clients in the automotive industry with their transformation processes so they can remain internationally competitive in the future. The industry is currently undergoing multiple transformations at the same time – from the transition to sustainable propulsion systems to the development of software-defined vehicles and the changes brought about by generative AI. We support companies as a partner to help them successfully navigate these developments. What particularly excited me about this role is the opportunity to actively contribute to ensuring that a key industry for Germany and Europe remains competitive in the future.
You have worked for Jaguar Land Rover and Porsche, then at McKinsey, and finally at IBM, where you were responsible for the international activities of a major automotive manufacturer. How did your focus on the automotive industry develop?
My father is a big fan of classic cars and sports cars and passed this enthusiasm on to me from an early age. So it was clear to me early on that I wanted to work in the automotive industry. This passion has remained to this day, and I am pleased that in my current role, I can support the industry in addressing the pressing challenges mentioned earlier.
You studied Information Systems with a focus on marketing and spent time in the USA and Australia during your studies. Looking back, would you say this combination prepared you optimally for your career path, or are there other success factors?
This combination definitely prepared me very well for my career path. On the one hand, the education at the University of Münster is of the highest quality. Additionally, the university has an excellent international network, which enabled me to integrate international experiences into my studies and gain very valuable insights for my professional career. If I were to study again today, I might even include additional stays in other countries. Thanks to the university’s strong reputation, I was also able to meet many inspiring fellow students and professors and build a network that I continue to maintain both professionally and personally.
You remain connected to your alma mater as a board member of the Marketing Alumni Münster e.V. What, in your view, makes the business sciences in Münster stand out – from a student and/or alumni perspective?
One of the most important aspects – because it is the most sustainable for a long-term career – is definitely the network you can build at the university. That’s also why I remain actively involved in Marketing Alumni Münster e.V. As mentioned earlier, I was able to establish valuable connections with professors, faculty members, and fellow students during my studies. I still maintain this network today, which is why I am happy to stay connected to the university.