What does it take to lead a global market for over 150 years? Rome Business School students found out during an exclusive talk hosted by the Career Services team. The guest of honor was Pirelli, a true icon of Italian industrial excellence worldwide. Carolina Borgnino, HR and Talent Acquisition Specialist, walked the audience through the inner workings of the tire giant. She broke down the mindset, culture, and skills needed to join such a historic yet forward-looking brand.
Founded in Milan back in 1872, Pirelli has mastered the art of constant evolution. Today, the company balances deep local roots with a massive international commercial footprint. It designs high-value tires for cars, motorcycles, and bicycles across the globe. For the future managers in the room, the session offered a unique, unfiltered look into a top-tier multinational career path.
Borgnino made one point clear from the start: at Pirelli, technology makes the difference. Innovation is not just a corporate buzzword for reports. It represents a daily challenge tested on the world’s most demanding racing tracks, including Formula 1. These elite global circuits serve as the perfect laboratory. On the asphalt, engineers push materials to their absolute limits. They gather vital data to perfect the tires that regular drivers use every single day. This relentless push for quality relies on heavy investments. In fact, the group invests 5.3% of its high-value revenue straight into Research & Development (R&D).
The sector is changing rapidly, and tires are becoming much more than rubber components. Pirelli is investing heavily in artificial intelligence and digitalization. By embedding intelligent sensors directly into the structure, the company’s new “cyber tires” communicate in real time with the vehicle’s onboard electronics. This specific technology boosts road safety, optimizes driving performance, and keeps fuel consumption down. For graduates entering the job market today, this transformation opens exciting new roles in fields like data science, software engineering, and digital product management.
The success of an industrial giant relies on more than patents alone; it thrives on a powerful Brand Reputation. Carolina Borgnino explained how Pirelli successfully transformed a highly technical product into a global cultural icon. Unique communication projects, sophisticated design, and a historic tie to art and photography—such as the world-famous Pirelli Calendar—built an unparalleled premium positioning. Maintaining this reputation requires complete managers. These professionals must read economic metrics while understanding consumer psychology and brand equity value.
True leadership today requires looking beyond corporate profits. The group’s philosophy is clear: technological advancement must drive social progress. Borgnino shared the concrete, measurable sustainability goals that keep the company accountable on the global stage:
Stepping into an ecosystem that connects different markets and cultures requires more than a good academic degree. During the final part of the talk, the HR Specialist explained what recruiters actively look for during job interviews. In a multinational context, cultural agility, flexibility, and cross-functional teamwork are non-negotiable. Pirelli wants professionals who move smoothly across different departments and countries. The company values candidates who marry technical expertise with an authentic curiosity for industrial change.
Events like this talk highlight Rome Business School’s core mission: bridging the gap between classroom learning and major market leaders. The presentation wrapped up with a lively, stimulating Q&A session. Students pushed past generic formal doubts, asking direct questions about internal growth and international mobility. They left with a clear picture of how talent, technology, and responsibility build the success of a great global brand.
