Stefano Manservisi holds a law degree from the University of Bologna and also studied at the University of Paris I Panthéon – Sorbonne, and the University of Strasbourg.
He joined the European Commission in 1983 where he worked as administrator in the Directorates-General of Agriculture and Development until 1991, and then as principal administrator and Member of Cabinet to Vice-President Pandolfi. In 1993, he was nominated Head of Unit ‘Finances’ in DG Development. Shortly thereafter, he became Member of Cabinet, then Deputy Head of Cabinet to Commissioner R. Vanni d’ Archirafi. From 1995 to 2000, he was Deputy Head and then Head of Cabinet to Commissioner M. Monti. In 2001 he was appointed Head of Cabinet for Romano Prodi, President of the European Commission, and stayed in that position until joining DG Development and Relations with Africa, Caribbean, Pacific States as Director General in November 2004.