SEPA Experts in Germany

Time-limited interim assignment filling a vacant program leadership position: joint leadership of a complex software project and orchestration of several agile teams (business, development, and DevOps teams), as well as actively driving change processes.

• Program Management & Planning: Responsibility for creating and updating milestone, resource, and budget plans to ensure project objectives using agile and hybrid methods.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Promoting cooperation and knowledge sharing across teams; resolving blockers through proactive conflict management and targeted facilitation.
• Stakeholder Management & Transparency: Ensuring transparent and audience-appropriate communication within and outside the project organization using modern project management tools.

• Objective/Motivation: PAYONE urgently needs a 360° view of its customers. So far, PAYONE has had no company-wide master data strategy. It is not possible to identify customers across all relevant systems.

The organization is to be enabled to identify customers across all relevant systems. Establishing the basis for master data management at PAYONE

• Challenge: Due to company acquisitions, the system landscape is very heterogeneous. The company is highly dynamic and burdened with many system harmonization and integration projects, meaning that resource bottlenecks and changes in project priorities repeatedly create an almost impossible task.

Due to BaFin findings, the project has a central task and role. The first focus is the migration of all customers, including their AML/KYC data, from the master data backend systems to Salesforce. This is intended to resolve one of the largest findings and establish the corresponding ODD/EDD processes.

In addition, customer data must be harmonized in Salesforce. Previous migrations resulted in duplicate customer records in some cases. The aim is therefore to maintain only one customer in Salesforce and, using the relevant information from the backend systems, also be able to identify which products the customer uses and in which processing systems the customer obtains PAYONE services.

Project: ONE Customer

Budget: €1.5 million

Team: 10/30 employees (full-time/part-time); 4 vendors/providers

Integration: 8 (subsystems/interfaces)

Applications: Salesforce; SAP S4/HANA; in-house developments

Tools: MS Office; Jira, Confluence, SharePoint

Methods: Hands-on; Agile (SAFe); Prince2

Project: SCS (Settlement / Clearing Services)

Settlement platform serving multiple trading and clearing venues — counterparty risk safeguarding, settlement volume reduction, central risk management, and post-trade anonymity.

Technologies: Java 17, Spring Boot 3, Microservices, Spring Data JPA, SonarQube, Fortify (SCST), Mockito, Jenkins, OpenShift, Maven, Podman, GitHub, JIRA, Liquibase, Swagger, AMQP, Apache Camel, Terraform, PostgreSQL, Instana, Graylog.

• Identified and remediated CVEs in third-party libraries using SCA tooling, strengthening the security posture of production components.
• Maintained 90% code coverage with SonarQube, improving code quality and reducing production defects.
• Enabled mTLS for database authentication and message broker connections, enforcing encrypted, certificate-validated communication.
• Designed and deployed microservices with asynchronous, REST-based communication between components.
• Optimized a high-volume REST API (~200K requests) by reducing response time from 3s to 2s (33% improvement), boosting throughput and reliability under production load.
• Automated build and continuous integration pipelines using Maven and Jenkins.
• Orchestrated containerized workloads on Podman/OpenShift and governed schema evolution with Liquibase, ensuring reliable, repeatable deployments across all environments.
• Optimized Java code and implemented EHCache-based caching, improving application performance.
• Streamlined release management by governing application images, JAR versions, and dependencies through DBAG Artifactory, ensuring version consistency and audit traceability across environments

• Design and supervise implementation, testing and rollout of end-to-end processes and system integrations (frontend & backend)
• Integrate with OEMs (Daimler, BMW/MINI) and CPOs (Ionity and others)
• Introduce CPO discount packages with lifecycle processes
• Implement consenting process for GTC & tariff updates and marketing opt-ins via SAP Emarsys
• Automate blocking/unblocking of customers and integrate MS Dynamics CRM and proprietary 3rd level tool
• Coordinate migration and go-live of new fleet portal
• Migrate PSP from Datatrans to Adyen (credit card, PayPal) and integrate SEPA/BACS with Adyen via webhooks
• Support and enhance OpenInformer billing engine: Oracle→PostgreSQL migration, PostgreSQL upgrade, regression test suite, performance troubleshooting, invoice relocation to Azure Storage
• Identify and analyze fraud cases and implement countermeasures
• Provide problem management, incident support and hypercare after major rollouts

Implementation of anti-money laundering requirements in accordance with AMLA/KYC for an international large bank in Munich

Services provided:

• Clarification of the assignment, definition of the work package structure for the AMLA/KYC implementation project
• AI-supported project planning using my own AI workflow for project management
• Creation of the project management plan
• Resource and capacity planning
• Development of collaboration structures between IT service provider and bank client
• Alignment of responsibilities (RACI matrix)
• Management of 5 project members (core team)
• Project control, project monitoring, project reporting
• Communication management
• Escalation management
• Stakeholder management (11 stakeholders)
• Permanent member of the steering committee
• Project representation internally and externally
• Project reporting, management of decision-making bodies
• Project volume: 506 person-days (development effort)
• Risk management
• Quality management
• Organization and running of workshops

Methods: PMI PMBOK, EVM, GWG, DORA, BAIT, KANBAN, AML, AMLR, AMLA, GWG, KYC

IT environment: JIRA, Confluence, Sharepoint, Kantata Kimble, AI LLM Copilot, ChatGPT, anti-money laundering systems (in-house developments and SMARAGD)

• Agile project "PEPSi annual vacation planning MVP Lite" (digitalization project).
• Definition of state transitions for the JUP Lite functionality.
• Creation of user stories for login/logout and registration.
• Quality assurance of the business-side concept.
• Preliminary analysis for the transformation from the old PersPlan to DigiPEP.
• Tools used: Signavio, MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Jira, Confluence, Mural, Miro, Conceptboard, MS Teams, Mattermost.

Enterprise & Cloud Security Architect supporting the modernization of the SDK application landscape as part of the KVNeo transformation program. Responsible for enterprise architecture, cloud governance, security architecture, and the definition of technical standards for strategic business applications.

Key responsibilities include architecture governance, target architecture development, cloud and integration architecture, security-by-design, and the translation of regulatory requirements into sustainable technical solutions across multiple business domains.

Responsibilities and achievements

• Designed and reviewed target architectures for strategic insurance applications and enterprise services.
• Developed architecture documentation based on Arc42 and Architecture Decision Records (ADRs).
• Defined governance models, architecture principles, and technical guidelines for cross-domain initiatives.
• Supported the modernization of archive, document management, and output management platforms.
• Designed integration architectures using REST APIs and event-driven communication patterns.
• Led architecture discussions with enterprise architects, development teams, product owners, and business stakeholders.
• Translated regulatory requirements such as DORA and ISO/IEC 27001 into practical architecture decisions.
• Designed security concepts covering Identity & Access Management, authorization, authentication, auditability, and logging.
• Supported SIEM integration, security monitoring, and enterprise logging concepts.
• Evaluated technical risks, technical debt, and architecture improvements while providing decision papers for architecture boards.
• Established architecture governance processes and contributed to enterprise-wide transformation initiatives.
• Supported cloud governance activities and the definition of secure cloud architecture standards.
• Facilitated architecture workshops and coordinated cross-functional stakeholders across business and IT.

Technologies & Methods Microsoft Azure • Arc42 • Architecture Decision Records (ADR) • REST APIs • Event-Driven Architecture • Microsoft Entra ID • Active Directory • IAM • SIEM • Cloud Governance • Enterprise Architecture • Security Architecture • Azure API Management • Jira • Confluence • Draw.io • DORA • ISO/IEC 27001 • Agile • Scrum

• Consulting, training, and coaching in the financial sector on strategy, organization, and IT topics

• MorgenFund: Advising the operator of a fund platform on software selection for a sub-ledger "Cash Accounts" based on Virtual IBANs (VIBAN)

• Structuring requirements, market screening, creating RfIs, communicating with vendors, and conducting the selection process

• UniCredit/HypoVereinsbank: Workstream lead "Booking and Customer Reporting" in the payment transformation project "PULS"

• Business analysis, creating business requirements and aligning solution items as part of the functional specification with the bank's IT service providers

• Business analysis of SEPA CT and SWIFT MX (.camt, .pain, and .pacs formats), change management, team lead for a virtual team of fifteen line experts, and stakeholder management

• equensWorldline Germany: Program management for three projects of the SWIFT service bureau (CBPR+, ESMIG, and Euro1Step1 migration) as part of the SWIFT MX migration

• Managing individual project managers regarding overarching goals and requirements; reporting to internal and external committees and stakeholders; coordinating with dependent projects and programs

• Project management/PMO: interim project management, stand-in for project managers, resource planning, budget and cost management, general PMO tasks

• Migration of SEPA direct debits, credit transfers & card clearing to Worldline's internal platform as part of the outsourcing contract

• Definition of the MIGR strategy

• Mobilization of the community (300+ experts at client & Worldline)

• Creation of the MIGR runbook (100+ workshops)

• Close collaboration with upstream project streams: BUILD & TEST, as well as with the operating units

• Set up of the governance framework, capacity management & reporting

• 100% of SEPA DD, CT & CC transaction traffic migrated (7 months)

• ~80 migrations carried out with a success rate of 70% ("first-time right")

• Set up technical & manual production monitoring

• Established a "fast-track" incident management process in the MIGR & hypercare phases

• Set up 20+ exception handling processes

• Conducted trainings

• Implemented SLAs & billing

Short profile:

• Active in national and international projects focusing on rollouts, transformations, release upgrades and subproject management
• Supporting the design, implementation, configuration and optimization of accounting processes
• Taking responsibility from functional design through customizing to go-live + hypercare and serving as an interface between the business and IT
• Structured analysis of complex financial processes, clear communication with stakeholders, and a pragmatic, solution-oriented approach

SAP FI/CO expertise:

Comprehensive knowledge and experience in SAP FI/CO modules, including implementation, configuration and optimization

Project management:

Experience in leading and coordinating SAP projects, including rollouts and system migrations

Process optimization:

Skills in analyzing, consulting and improving business processes in the SAP environment

SAP S/4 HANA & SAP ECC:

Experience with SAP S/4 HANA / SAP ECC implementations and migrations

ABAP programming:

Knowledge in ABAP programming for custom developments and adjustments

Data analysis:

Skills in data analysis and evaluation, especially with SAP tools and Excel

International projects:

Experience in executing SAP projects in various countries and cultures

Service portfolio:

• Functional and technical consulting
• Requirements/data/process analysis
• Creating functional designs, blueprints and solution proposals
• Customizing and support in FI/CO including process optimizations
• Conducting workshops/tests
• Preparing training materials and conducting user training
• Data migration
• Interface support including development knowledge
• Partial/full project management, cutover management and hypercare

Industries:

• Precision mechanics and optics industry
• Automotive industry
• Food industry
• Beverage/food industry
• Mechanical engineering

SAP knowledge:

• Very good knowledge of SAP CO, FI and AA
• Additionally: SAP DRC, Fiori, Concur, DART, DMEE and user exits
• Good knowledge of SAP PS, authorization management and ABAP
• Basic knowledge of SAP components MM, PP, SD
• Basic knowledge of the HR module
• Version experience: SAP R/3 4.7 / SAP ECC / SAP S/4 HANA
• Migration tools: LSMW, Migration Cockpit

Experience with legal requirements:

• Germany
• Hungary
• Turkey
• Switzerland
• China
• Czech Republic
• Slovakia
• United Kingdom (UK)
• Sweden
• France
• Portugal

I am an SAP FI/CO consultant with extensive experience in national and international projects. My focus is on rollouts, transformations, release upgrades, and managing subprojects. In doing so, I take responsibility from functional design through customizing to go-live and hypercare. As an interface between business and IT, I ensure that complex financial processes are analyzed in a structured way, communicated clearly, and implemented pragmatically.

My core expertise lies in the SAP FI/CO modules, where I have successfully carried out implementations, configurations, and process optimizations. With in-depth knowledge of SAP S/4 HANA and SAP ECC, I reliably support companies in implementations, migrations, and release upgrades. Additionally, I have experience in ABAP programming for custom adjustments and developments, allowing me to flexibly meet individual requirements.

I bring extensive experience in leading and coordinating SAP projects, particularly in rollouts and system migrations. In the process, I carefully analyze business processes in accounting, develop practical solutions, and implement them efficiently. My approach combines structured project management with pragmatic process understanding to achieve tangible results for companies.

I have executed SAP projects in numerous countries, taking into account different legal requirements. This international experience has not only given me technical know-how but also intercultural competence, flexibility, and the ability to successfully manage complex projects in various regulatory environments.

If you are looking for an experienced SAP FI/CO expert to support national and international projects with responsibility, technical expertise and a pragmatic process understanding, I look forward to hearing from you.

Project: Roadmap for implementing ITIL processes in IT Operations in line with the requirements for Operational Excellence according to CMMI 4 and the current life cycle management under the framework conditions of GRC, SCRUM and DevOps.

• Consulting, coordination and execution of workshops, analyses and gap assessments.
• Determining the current state regarding the implementation of IT processes, interfaces, tools used and KPIs, with a graphical presentation of the maturity level.
• Defining the target state for IT processes, interfaces, tools used and KPIs.
• Designing a recommendation for action and a roadmap for IT Operations Management in a highly critical and highly available IT infrastructure environment.
• Supporting the introduction of the central service management tool Jira Service Desk.
• Coordination and alignment with business departments / stakeholders / architecture (Avaloq, SAP, etc.) / Security / IAM, BCM, etc.
• Consulting on the implementation of IT operations processes, including Incident, Problem, Change / Release, Request and Service Management (including Service Desk).

• Introduction of giro card with Visa Debit card payment function (Combocard) for Commerzbank
• Support for the Card Processing Team (card processing; Clearing & Settlement incl. Dispute Management teams) in project work
• Creation of requirements for the Clearing & Settlement team, Authorization team (AZ) and Card Production team (KP) as part of a requirements catalog
• Requirements engineering (requirements management) with business contact person
• Participation in workstream meetings between VISA Inc., SRC Security Research & Consulting GmbH, Commerzbank AG and consulting firms (PwC and Senacor Technologies AG)
• Sprint planning with Jira tickets of type Task and use of Confluence
• Creation and presentation of weekly status reports for the Clearing & Settlement, Dispute Management and Reporting & GUI workstreams
• Coordination with network and file transfer teams for connection tests of new interfaces, e.g. setup of host keys, use of VPN or sipnet connections
• Coordination of the delivery of test files, e.g. exchange rates (FX rates; TC 56 of VISA rates), VISA Debit and Credit transactions (format Base II) and EANSS/ISS Base II clearing files to the Debit Clearing System (DCS)
• Conducting coordination meetings on the use of Visanet Settlement Service (VSS) and PSD2 reports and payment traffic statistics (ZVS)
• Organizing workshops with FiServ (First Data) on Dispute Management and complaint handling
• Setup and maintenance of Open Point List (OPL) in Confluence
• Technologies/methods: Jira, Confluence, giro card, VISA Debit card, payments, Kanban board, BIN, routing, CIQ, VPAY, ScalaTest, Dispute Management

• Form adjustment with Smart Forms for SD (invoice printing)
• Form adjustment with Adobe Forms for FI (incoming invoice)
• Form adjustment with Adobe Forms for logistics invoice verification (self billing invoice)

• Project planning and resource planning
• Requirements definition and technology selection
• Data migration and risk management
• Monitoring up to go-live
• Tools: Office365, Jira XRAY, Strato, Onboarding App