Generative AI Experts in Düsseldorf

Sovereign, cloud-native developer platform based on Kubernetes for critical energy infrastructure; around 200 people and 15 product teams.

• Introduced the product operating model for the platform, aligning around 18 product managers and product owners with Platform Architecture and Delivery in a matrix organisation.
• Defined the platform product processes and core product artefacts as the standard across all product teams.
• Established processes for non-functional requirements and Requests for Enhancement from consuming teams and customers.
• Designed the Jira structure supporting the programme's product and delivery processes.

• Optimizing and accelera­tion of our Gitlab CI pipeline

• Conceptual work for the PoC of the Zero Trust system

• Extension of the policy-engine backend in Go

• Extension of the policy-testing mechanism in Python

• Architectural design of the PEP component of Zero Trust

• Documentation of the product

• Technologies: Zero Trust, Go, Python, Gitlab CI, Docker, JWT, Domain-Driven Design

Results:

• Identified weaknesses in the MMM setup and attribution as a whole

Responsibilities:

• Audits of Marketing Mix Modelling, Multi-Touch-Attribution, Incrementality Testing

Channels & Tools: SEA, Affiliate, TV, Adtriba MTA & MMM, Google Meridian MMM

The customer's own IT ticketing tool is being migrated to the central corporate tool. Critical elements are the product shop, the operational framework, the ITIL processes and asset management. It is important to ensure that the strategy for the service and support model works with the new tool, so that IT operations can continue smoothly. The next step is to develop and establish processes for the newly formed core team.

• Current-state analysis / weakness analysis of the existing processes and tool setup
• GAP analysis of the current and future operating and service models
• Analysis of business needs
• Evaluation and implementation of the identified GAPs
• Establishment of a continuous improvement process
• Risk management
• Hypercare & support during operational activities
• Establishment of processes for the newly formed core team
• Stakeholder management

Project: Design and implementation of an AI product for four business use cases

Project management for an AI project at a leading provider of large-scale catering and food services, where a production-ready AI product for four use cases was implemented together with an external development partner: automated briefings based on CRM and document data, voice-based capture and structuring of reports, detection and consolidation of duplicates in master data, and data-based market analyses. A key focus was a data-protection-compliant architecture that passed the internal IT security review and enabled production use.

• Translation of business requirements into clearly defined AI use cases with a focused product scope and clear value proposition
• Selection and evaluation of models and architecture options for text extraction, speech-to-text, and context enrichment from business systems, including LLM integration, function calling, and retrieval
• Development and implementation of an architecture with European hosting, data minimization, and masking of personal data as a prerequisite for approval
• Management of interfaces between business departments, IT, IT security, and the external development partner under restrictive data access conditions
• Coordination with the CIO and executive management levels on data access, risk assessment, and approval decisions
• Preparation for the transition to production use

• -- ENGLISH Version (Deutsche Version unten) ---

Experience

• Ex-BCG Platinion: 14 years as Manager & Chief IT Architect, leading large-scale IT transformations in complex group structures
• 20+ years of C-level consulting across AI/IT strategy, enterprise architecture, IT organization, transformation, M&A due diligence, project recovery, and interim management
• IT leadership experience with cross-functional, intercultural teams of up to 100+ people
• Hands-on background in software engineering, IT architecture, and project management
• Fortune Europe 500 focus; numerous international projects; SME and start-up experience

Core services:

• IT strategy, enterprise architecture (EAM), target architectures and roadmaps
• PE/M&A/carve-out IT/tech due diligence, asset valuation, cost estimation
• GenAI transformation, process automation, and AI governance
• IT reorganization, target operating model (TOM), agile transformation
• IT governance, development and ITSM process optimization (BizDevOps, SAFe)
• Review and recovery of critical large-scale IT programs
• Planning and steering of transformation programs and IT project portfolios
• IT vendor and platform selection (RfI / RfP)
• Coaching & Interim management

Industries (selection): Insurance, financial services & banking, energy & utilities, telecommunications, retail & consumer goods, logistics, media, industry & engineering, healthcare, professional services

Projects (selection):

• M&A Buy-side IT/Tech Due Diligence of an Acquisition in the Energy Sector (Utility, Smart Home) — AI-augmented with Anthropic Claude

• AI Initiative for LLM-Based Optimisation and Automation of Sales and Billing Processes

• Interim management Enterprise Architecture & group target architecture/roadmap development (METRO)

• Reorganization: Design and introduction of agile IT target operating model at international wholesale group (METRO)

• Design and implementation of agile BizDevOps target operating model (E.ON Grid Solutions)

• Platform/vendor selection for renewal of core insurance solution of start-up (ELEMENT Insurance)

• Establishment of project assurance capability and review/recovery of critical transformation projects (ERGO)

• Enterprise architecture management and development of divisional/solution architectures (Deutsche Post DHL)

• Strategic pricing architecture decisions in digital sales application landscape (E.ON Energie)

• IT due diligence: Architecture evaluation and monetary valuation of IT assets (ProSiebenSAT.1 Media)

• Interim management of group-wide security/compliance programme (ERGO)

• Enabling an application landscape for different sales organizations and product structures (E.ON Energie)

• Realignment of business/IT strategy and InsurTech platform selection (RfI, RfP) (nexible, ERGO Digital Ventures)

• Stabilization/optimization of an agile/SAFe business/IT DevOps landscape transformation (Lufthansa AirPlus)

• Process optimization and design/management of digitization and robotics introduction in power plants (RWE Nuclear)

• BSS target architecture development for fixed/mobile networks convergence (Deutsche Telekom)

• Optimization of IT organization model and methodology in application development and testing (Deutsche Telekom)

• Evaluation of fulfillment of a general contractor agreement for run-off/migration of contract portfolios (ERGO)

• -- DEUTSCHE Version (English version above) ---

Experience

• Ex-BCG Platinion: 14 years of strategy and implementation of large-scale IT transformations in complex corporate structures (Manager & Chief IT Architect)
• 20+ years of C-level-adjacent IT consulting: IT strategy, enterprise architecture, IT organization, transformation, due diligence, project recovery, and interim management
• IT leadership responsibility for cross-functional, intercultural teams of up to 100+ people
• Solid hands-on experience in software development, IT architecture, and project management
• Focus on Fortune Europe 500, numerous international projects; SME and start-up experience

Industries: insurance · financial services & banking · energy · telecommunications · retail & consumer goods · industry & engineering · logistics · media · healthcare

Services (focus areas):

• IT strategy, enterprise architecture (EAM), IT landscape target visions and roadmaps
• M&A/carve-out IT/tech due diligence, asset valuation, and cost estimation
• GenAI transformation, process automation, and AI governance
• IT reorganization, target operating model (TOM), agile transformation
• IT governance, development and ITSM processes (BizDevOps, SAFe)
• Review and recovery of critical large-scale IT projects
• Planning/steering of transformation programs and IT project portfolios
• IT service provider/platform selection (RfI, RfP)
• IT project management (agile, classic, hybrid)
• Coaching & interim management

Projects (selection):

• M&A buyer-side IT/tech due diligence of an acquisition in the energy sector (utility, smart home) — AI-augmented with Anthropic Claude
• AI initiative for LLM-supported optimization and automation of sales and billing processes
• Interim management of Enterprise Architecture and development of group target architecture in wholesale (METRO)
• Reorganization: design and introduction of an agile IT target operating model (TOM) at an international wholesale group (METRO)
• IT reorganization: introduction of an agile BizDevOps target operating model (TOM) at an energy group (E.ON Grid Solutions)
• Platform selection / vendor selection for renewal of the core insurance solution of a B2B2C start-up (ELEMENT Insurance)
• Process optimization, digitalization, and introduction of robotics in power plants (RWE Nuclear)
• Assessment of fulfillment of a general contractor agreement for run-off/migration of life insurance portfolios (ERGO)
• Business/IT strategy and InsurTech platform selection for a digital insurer/start-up (nexible, ERGO Digital Ventures)
• Enabling an energy application landscape for multiple sales units (E.ON Energie)
• Strategic architecture decisions in price management of a digital sales application landscape at an energy group (E.ON Energie)
• Stabilization/optimization of an agile DevOps IT transformation in business travel and payment management (Lufthansa AirPlus)
• Interim management in a group-wide security and compliance program of a global insurer (ERGO)
• Building project assurance capability as well as review and optimization/recovery of critical IT projects in an insurance group (ERGO)
• Building enterprise architecture management and development of domain and solution architectures for a logistics group (Deutsche Post DHL)
• M&A IT due diligence – evaluation and valuation of IT assets in the media sector (ProSiebenSAT.1 Media)
• Development of BSS target architecture and roadmap for fixed/mobile convergence (Deutsche Telekom)
• Optimization of IT governance/organization and methodology in application development and testing at a telecommunications group (Deutsche Telekom)

• Strategic consulting for the Head of Brand on brand strategy and change processes
• Analysis of existing processes, resources, and interfaces within the team as well as with internal and external stakeholders
• Development and implementation of recommendations for action to improve processes and increase efficiency
• Project management and change management for the successful implementation of measures
• Management and selection of external service providers to ensure smooth execution
• Optimization of internal processes and interfaces through in-depth analysis and recommendations for action
• Effective acceleration of decision-making and management processes in brand management
• Successful management of external service providers and agencies for more efficient workflows and higher quality

• Led end-to-end delivery of complex international customer-facing IT and system transformation projects across mobility, retail, life sciences, and product development domains.

• Managed project opportunities and delivery initiatives from concept development, planning, execution, migration, validation, deployment, and final customer acceptance.

• Acted as the primary point of contact for project stakeholders, ensuring alignment between customers, business units, suppliers, and delivery teams.

• Ensured timely project execution through proactive monitoring of milestones, deliverables, dependencies, risks, and resource requirements.

• Led and coordinated global cross-functional teams of 20+ members across multiple time zones. Served as the central coordination point for project activities, ensuring accountability, milestones, progress tracking, and timely resolution of issues across multiple stakeholders. Managed status reporting with all the stakeholders, providing clear and timely updates to ensure alignment on project goals.

• Provided functional leadership, mentoring, coaching, and issue resolution support to project team members. Worked closely with senior leadership and executive stakeholders to define project charter and project scope, priorities, milestones, manage dependencies, success criteria and achieve project goals.

• Collaborated closely with senior leadership, business stakeholders, suppliers, operations teams, and external partners to define project objectives and ensure successful execution.

• Managed stakeholder communication through executive dashboards, KPIs, governance reviews, steering committee meetings, and project status reporting.

• Anticipated business needs and provided effective technical solutions in a timely manner to improve business satisfaction.

• Led and supported sub-project management structures, ensuring consistent execution, reporting, and escalation across complex initiatives.

• Managed supplier relationships and service providers to ensure compliance with contractual obligations, service levels, timelines, and quality expectations.

• Supported vendor selection processes, RFP evaluations, delivery governance, cost monitoring, and performance reviews.

• Controlled project budgets, forecasts, resource allocations, and financial tracking to ensure delivery within approved constraints.

• Scheduled workshops explaining the business requirement, prioritizing project goals and managing change.

• Oversaw cloud migrations (Azure/ AWS), database migrations/upgrades, system upgrades, infrastructure & application modernization, data management, legacy decommissioning initiatives, AI solutioning, transition plan of 2000+ applications etc.

• Coordinated execution, deployment, integration, commissioning, data migration and handover activities to ensure production readiness.

• Led a cross-functional team proactively managing dependencies and resolving project issues to closure, while maintaining delivery timelines.

• Proactively managed project risks, dependencies, issues, change requests, and escalations to ensure predictable project outcomes.

• Ensured compliance with GxP, ITIL, corporate governance standards, validation requirements, and audit controls.

• Led internal and external audit support activities, validation documentation, CAPA coordination, and regulatory compliance initiatives.

• Drove process standardization, automation, and governance improvements across project delivery functions.

• Led application rationalization initiatives resulting in the retirement of more than 50 legacy applications, improving operational efficiency and reducing maintenance costs.

• Currently driving Generative AI initiatives to automate project documentation, reporting, knowledge management, and delivery processes.

• Facilitated lessons learned workshops and implemented continuous improvement actions to enhance project execution effectiveness.

• AI-Enabled Analytics & Reporting: Lead a 2-person BI team, applying predictive analytics and automation to translate complex business requirements into forward-looking insights, recommendations, and financial reports.
• Advanced Data Visualization: Design and maintain 25+ high-impact Power BI/Tableau dashboards tracking company-wide KPIs and trends, structured to support predictive and automated reporting.
• Web Analytics & Insights: Own GA4 tracking and analysis, driving a 15% increase in conversion insight through deeper customer journey analysis.
• Data Pipeline Optimization: Partner with data engineers to redesign and automate data pipeline workflows, cutting manual reporting time by 20% while safeguarding data accuracy and system uptime.

AI Strategy & Enablement for SMEs Management consulting – SMEs (e.g. marketing boutique, IT & office services)

Concept and delivery of structured AI introduction and strategy workshops for small and medium-sized businesses. Result: Practical AI status assessment, prioritized use case list, and management decision template as the basis for the next steps in the company’s AI development.

Activities

• Needs analysis and individual preparation of the consulting formats
• Facilitation of a structured AI status assessment including vision, mission, and target picture
• Identification and prioritization of relevant AI use cases and action fields
• Creation of management decision templates and roadmaps
• Raising awareness for opportunities, risks, and success factors of AI introduction
• Support for first customers with AI-supported automation scenarios
• Supporting people and teams through the change process of AI introduction (CM)

Methods / Tools / Technologies

Methods:

• AI status assessment & use case analysis
• Workshop moderation / facilitation
• Requirement Management
• Change Management (PROSCI)

Tools:

• Generative AI tools (e.g. ChatGPT, Claude)
• Automation/AI coding tools (e.g. n8n, Claude Code, Visual Studio, Antigravity)

Technologies:

• Prompt engineering
• AI workflow automation

• Design and implementation of an OCI-based DWH and ETL system to replace legacy mainframe applications
• Development of a database optimization strategy and planning the rapid conversion of JCL and COBOL routines to PL/SQL with the help of AI
• Development of an Oracle Apex-based app for internal administrative processes in the public sector (office equipment, employee training)
• Implementation of PL/SQL workflows for approval processes and creation of a responsive mobile version with JavaScript and CSS
• Use of Azure DevOps for backlog and documentation, as well as Git for version control
• Development of REST interfaces for CRM systems
• Replacement and reprogramming of Oracle Forms screens with Oracle Apex and upgrading to the latest Apex versions
• Design of a Git branching strategy and conducting code reviews
• Maintenance and further development of an EDI-based data exchange system based on Oracle Advanced Queuing for the public sector in Austria
• Data analysis and creation of charts in the Oracle Apex frontend; installation of standalone ORDS and Apex 23.1
• Agile working according to the Spotify Model; development of complex Apex screens with the support of Oracle JET
• New development and customization of existing PL/SQL packages, workarounds for database version differences and query optimization
• Development of Apex applications for broker pools to manage and optimize Oracle databases in the banking sector, including SSO-based authorization systems with OAuth2 and Keycloak
• Development of extensive Oracle Apex applications for BI and data mining modernization projects, as well as development of manual and automated projection methods in the frontend
• Implementation of data warehousing projects in the banking sector and use of Scrum and Kanban in team-oriented projects

• Executed post-carve-out stabilization, system consolidation and cybersecurity uplift. Re-assessed system landscape and assets and designed new IT strategy for future. Implemented new IT operating model focusing on product-centric organization and re-internalization of critical resources.
• Successfully designed new IT operating model of the company, based on massive reduction of external dependencies, insourcing of key positions and upskilling of employees.
• Massive reduction of IT cost in the first three years (-40m$), bringing IT spend level below Gartner industry benchmark (1.27%).
• Introduced new product-centric organization based on fusion teams between business and IT across the company.
• Administered implementation of corporate-wide IT/OT cybersecurity program with more than 60 projects.
• Continuous improvement of enterprise IT/OT cybersecurity maturity level with significant increase in the first two years (CMMI >3.5, C2M2 >2.5).
• Governed successful implementation of the business transformation program within IT area by overachieving the savings target by $8m.
• Initiated and created new cloud-based data management platform based on best-in-class technology.
• Implemented first company-wide Microsoft Copilot AI program based on various business cases, leveraging GenAI and AgenticAI.

• Operating Model Design: Designed and rolled out a 3-tier AI Governance Operating Model, defining organizational structures, roles, tooling, guidelines and processes across Corporate, Business Units, and Implementation layers to manage compliance for 200,000+ employees.
• EU AI Act Compliance: Led the strategic screening and risk classification of 3,800+ AI applications, implementing automated assessments for prohibited practices and General Purpose AI (GPAI) requirements.
• Enterprise Roll-out: Orchestrated the deployment of an internal GPT platform and Generative AI tools, defining the value proposition and adoption strategies for 10,000+ users.
• AI Literacy Architecture: Designed a modular AI training framework to transition the workforce from legacy manual workflows to AI-assisted processes.
• Executive Storylining: Developed strategic narratives for the CIO and Board to secure buy-in for AI investments, translating technical model performance into business-value summaries.
• PMO Infrastructure: Built the end-to-end PMO infrastructure using Jira, Confluence, and Azure Boards to track transformation progress and cross-entity dependencies.

• In my key role in strategic requirements management for the UVO online service, I established a comprehensive process from concept to execution.
• The responsibility included effectively collecting and prioritizing user feedback and requirements from municipalities and state administrations for direct service improvements.
• Developed, implemented, and led strategic requirements management for the OZG 2.0 UVO online service
• Gathering, prioritizing, and handling functional requirements, issues, improvement suggestions, and requests from municipalities and state administrations
• Creating release documentation
• Communicating implemented requirements to municipalities and UV offices
• Aligning with service managers and stakeholders
• Coordinating XFamily changes and version updates
• Managing and maintaining the Jira backlog and Confluence pages
• Responsible for Jira sprints, sprint planning, and review
• Coordinating with business, Product Owner, and development team for requirement implementation
• Testing implemented requirements in the online service
• Project documentation