Julian Hillebrand

IT/Software Program Manager Data Platform for the BW Education System

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Düsseldorf, Germany

Experience

Jan 2024 - Dec 2025
2 years

IT/Software Program Manager Data Platform for the BW Education System

Conet ISB GmbH / Institut für Bildungsanalyse Baden-Württemberg

  • Responsibility for the overall program management of a large-scale software development program to build a modern data platform for managing and analyzing student data in Baden-Württemberg
  • Managing a complex software program with numerous parallel teams and subprojects in close cooperation with public authorities
  • Establishing and leading efficient program and governance structures to ensure targeted and timely delivery
  • Responsible for overall reporting, escalation management, and status communication at the executive level
  • Aligning technical and business requirements across project boundaries to ensure an integrated overall solution
  • Performing budget tracking and resource management for all subprojects in the program context
  • Identifying and managing risks and dependencies between project streams
  • Close coordination with internal and external stakeholders for strategic and operational program control
  • Ensuring compliance with data protection and regulatory requirements in all project phases
Jan 2024 - Dec 2024
1 year

IT Program Manager App-based eSIM Mobile Product

Drillisch Online GmbH / WEB.DE & GMX

  • Responsibility for leading a strategically important program to develop and launch an innovative, app-based mobile product in a telecom group context
  • Managing a program portfolio with parallel projects in development, infrastructure, CRM integration, sales, and marketing
  • Close cross-functional coordination with business units, IT, external service providers, and system partners to identify and manage technical dependencies
  • Designing and integrating seamless customer journeys and ensuring smooth connections to existing platforms and systems
  • Planning and managing extensive testing and hypercare phases to guarantee quality and stability at go-live
  • Continuous risk and escalation management and structured reporting to C-level executives and steering committees
  • Overall responsibility for a technically and functionally demanding program with high strategic value – including managing external partners, time and budget accountability, and quality assurance
Jan 2023 - Dec 2024
2 years

IT Program Manager eSIM Implementation

1&1 Telecommunications SE

  • Responsibility for leading a business-critical program to develop and roll out end-to-end eSIM technology across the company in a telecom environment
  • Managing a complex program setup with parallel projects in IT development, cloud architecture, testing, operations, and product marketing
  • Coordinating all involved internal units and external service providers to ensure a coordinated rollout and stable operations
  • Cross-interface management to integrate new functions into existing IT landscapes, including connections to SaaS/cloud components and internal platforms
  • Prioritizing and maintaining a complex program roadmap with clear alignment of technical, business, and timing dependencies
  • Proactive risk and escalation management and regular C-level reporting to steer a business-critical digital program
  • Implementing agile governance and decision-making structures to ensure transparency, efficiency, and speed of delivery
Jan 2021 - Dec 2023
3 years

IT Program Manager GNSS Network Rollout

Swift Navigation Inc. / Deutsche Telekom / Deutsche Funktur

  • Rolling out modern GNSS positioning technologies through IoT and cloud integration to improve service quality, data availability, and location accuracy in 14 European markets
  • Leading a multinational technology program to introduce positioning solutions with direct connections to existing B2B service platforms and network infrastructure
  • Coordinating cross-functional teams and managing international technology partners and external service providers for technical implementation and integration
  • Establishing and managing scalable governance structures to guide the introduction and integration of cloud and IoT components into existing IT and system landscapes
  • Managing technical integrations and interface connections to existing systems and operational processes in a corporate-wide context
  • Ensuring operational readiness during rollout through active risk and escalation management
  • Close collaboration with internal business units, technical stakeholders, and external partners to align with strategic objectives and market requirements
  • C-level reporting for transparent management and support of operational and strategic decisions during the European rollout
Jan 2021 - Dec 2022
2 years

IT Program Manager Global Windows 10 Rollout

Lanxess AG

  • Leading a global rollout to introduce Windows 10, modern cloud technologies, and enterprise-wide business systems (including CRM) in 33 countries – including manufacturing sites with critical operational requirements
  • Efficiently managing international service providers, especially teams in India, to support technical implementation and remote support
  • Developing and executing detailed rollout plans for industrial sites, including ensuring system availability, data migration, and integration of existing applications
  • Managing transformation requirements in the context of acquisitions and considering ongoing carve-out and outsourcing processes
  • Standardizing rollout processes with a focus on technical analysis, interface integration (e.g., CRM/ERP systems), feedback loops, and schedule management
  • Developing a comprehensive change management plan for introducing the new system landscape – including communication strategy, training measures, and user enablement
  • Close collaboration with international site managers, business units, and external partners to align strategic milestones and operational execution
  • Implementing modern security standards, cloud, and CRM integrations to create a future-proof and scalable system architecture
Jan 2018 - Dec 2024
7 years

Head of Digital / Software Program Management (Telecom Focus)

COCUS AG

  • Built and led a high-performing program management team with full leadership responsibility for numerous complex client projects in the 7- to 8-figure budget range
  • Led a team of 15 project managers, responsible for parallel projects across various industries, focusing on telecommunications, automotive, logistics, and energy
  • Built a complete backend infrastructure to launch new app-based B2B services for the Vodafone Group - including vendor management, integration architecture, and operational handover
  • Developed and implemented modern software and SaaS solutions, taking end-to-end responsibility for design, development, testing, and deployment - with a special focus on transition projects in IT infrastructure and modernizing client IT environments
  • Advised and supported the modernization of IT infrastructures - including cloud migrations and the introduction of scalable SaaS solutions - considering current trends like Industry 4.0, IoT, and digital platform strategies
  • Worked closely with C-level stakeholders to develop and implement strategic transformation and IT goals
  • Assisted in implementing modern security standards and optimizing existing IT landscapes to meet data protection and cybersecurity requirements
Jan 2018 - Dec 2021
4 years

IT Program Manager for Market Entry in the SEA Region

TUI AG

  • Led an international team and managed an Indian service provider with over 100 employees working across different time zones and cultures
  • Developed a cloud-based booking platform using cutting-edge technologies, including SaaS and machine learning, to deliver innovative and scalable market solutions
  • Oversaw product development and integration into existing IT systems, including adapting to local requirements and regulatory guidelines in target markets
  • Planned and monitored a significant budget and detailed timelines for a complex global project of strategic importance
  • Collaborated closely with C-level stakeholders and regional leaders to ensure strategic objectives were met and market entry strategies were successfully executed
  • Coordinated teams across multiple disciplines, including software development, infrastructure, testing, marketing, and customer support, to ensure seamless collaboration
  • Implemented modern governance and reporting structures to support effective decision-making and on-time delivery

Summary

Experienced IT project and program manager with over 10 years of experience overseeing large, international projects and teams – especially in the telecommunications sector focusing on infrastructure, service, and migration projects.

Specialized in leading complex IT initiatives, I support companies in the strategic and operational implementation of system migrations – including coordinating interdisciplinary project teams, managing external partners, and aligning with business units and management.

Skills

  • It And Software Program/project Management: Leading Complex It, Infrastructure, And Migration Projects With Eight-figure Budgets And Project Teams Of Up To 100 Team Members – Mainly In The Telecom Environment Focusing On Service Platforms And Business/b2b Systems
  • System Migrations & New Platform Deployments: Experience In Planning And Managing Group-wide Rollouts, Migration Strategies, And Replacing Legacy Systems As Part Of Large Transformation Programs
  • Stakeholder Management: Close Collaboration With Internal And External Stakeholders – From Operational Business Units To Senior Management – As Well As Preparing And Conducting Steering Committees
  • Cloud, Crm & Data Architectures: Knowledge Of Modern It Architectures, Crm Systems, And Data-driven Processes – Including Integrating New Solutions Into Existing It Landscapes In A B2b Context
  • Outsourcing And Vendor Management: Many Years Of Experience Managing International Service Providers, Including Near-/offshore Models (E.g., India) – With A Focus On Quality, Time, And Budget
  • Team Leadership And Personnel Management: Leading Interdisciplinary Project Teams And Targeted Skill Development For Technical And Functional Roles In Migration Projects
  • Hybrid & Agile Project Management: Proficient Application Of Traditional And Agile Methods (Scrum, Safe) To Manage Complex Project Landscapes And Iterative Delivery
  • Industries: Telecommunications
  • Industries: Travel / Tourism
  • Industries: Chemicals
  • Industries: Public Administration
  • Industries: Retail
  • Industries: Automotive
  • Industries: Insurance
  • Industries: Logistics
  • Industries: Energy
  • Tools: Jira
  • Tools: Confluence
  • Tools: Ms Project (Time And Resource Planning)
  • Tools: Ms Office
  • Tools: Ms Teams
  • Tools: Miro
  • Tools: Ms Visio
  • Tools: Github
  • Tools: Slack
  • Technologies: Cloud Computing
  • Technologies: Saas
  • Technologies: Paas
  • Technologies: Iaas
  • Technologies: Cybersecurity
  • Technologies: Blockchain
  • Technologies: Genai/ai
  • Technologies: Vr/ar
  • Technologies: Enterprise Solutions
  • Technologies: Erp
  • Technologies: M365
  • Technologies: Aws
  • Technologies: Internet Of Things (Iot)
  • Technologies: Wordpress
  • Technologies: Bpm 2.0

Languages

German
Native
English
Advanced

Education

Cologne Business School

Bachelor of Arts · International Business - Marketing Management · Cologne, Germany

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