Cross-functional technology leader with 15+ years merging product, data, and engineering into high-impact outcomes. Equally driven by strategic vision and hands-on management, I build teams that transform complex ideas into lasting results.
experience
Chief Technology Officer
VGL Publishing AG (Mar 2025 - present)
Manage Product, Engineering and Data teams along with external partners, ensuring alignment with company strategy
Oversee technology budget, staffing and risk management, enabling efficient resource allocation and decisions
Lead product development initiatives, including internationalization, to support global market expansion
Guide the shift from founder-led leadership by establishing scalable processes and governance structures
Prepare the company for scale-up by building frameworks for sustainable growth and enterprise readiness
Introduce AI-driven tools and processes to improve engineering workflows, product development and integrations
Vice President Software Engineering, Data and Product
Checkout Charlie GmbH, a Bertelsmann company (Jan 2017 - Feb 2025)
Led and directly managed two engineering teams as well as a data and product unit (totaling 20-35 people), integrating their workflows to foster end-to-end ownership
Aligned comprehensive product and engineering roadmaps, ensuring focus on business goals and enhancing overall delivery speed and reliability
Overhauled the backend architecture, focusing on an API-first Node-based techstack that increased system scalability and velocity
Implemented Scrum, Kanban and Lean methodologies across teams, improving collaboration and release intervals
Established a monorepo pattern with Nuxt/Vue-based applications and an integrated design system, enhancing developer experience, web vitals, and sprint velocity
Head of Engineering
SPARWELT GmbH (Jan 2011 - Jan 2017)
Led and managed a team of 12 engineers, split into two product specific teams, implementing growth and development methods
Implemented agile methodologies and DevOps practices, reducing lead time for changes and enhancing system reliability
Collaborated closely with product management to align technical solutions with business objectives, driving user growth and engagement
Led the redesign of the company's tech stack, introducing service oriented architecture and modern frameworks to boost scalability and performance
Mentored and developed engineering talent, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation
Lead Engineer
SPARWELT GmbH (Sep 2008 – Jan 2011)
Expanded the startup engineering unit, focusing on both software architecture and talent development
Drove the transformation of Sparwelt from a rapid prototype to a major platform, impacting both technical and product levels
Managed the acquisition process, including due diligence and final exit, ensuring a seamless transition and successful outcome
Earlier Positions
Fullstack Engineer, ECONA Media GmbH (Jul 2008 – Jan 2011):
Standardized engineering operations with frequent releases while supporting portfolio companies with infrastructure
Application Engineer, FM5 (Jul 2006 - Jan 2012):
Maintained and enhanced FM5’s infrastructure while developing a license-free music publishing platform for Austria
Technical Consultant, Strato AG (Nov 2006 - Jul 2008):
Planned and implemented IT solutions for SMBs, optimized customer care ITIL workflows
Specialist for System Integration, DRV-Bund (Nov 2005 - Apr 2006):
Implemented ITIL Incident-Management processes, developed intranet projects
The DRV-Bund or Deutsche Rentenversicherung (German statutory pension insurance scheme)
The "IHK Fachausbildung zum Fachinformatiker" is a Germany specific 3-year educational program, known to be comparable to a Bachelor's degree in terms of educational level
Involved in the usage of a variety of technologies ranging from BS2000-based Oracle and Cobol applications to more modern Linux/Java stacks
Concluded studies with a final IHK Thesis on the application of ITIL 3 Incident-Management processes to an intranet-based knowledge database