Julian Hillebrand
IT/Software Program Manager for Data Platform for the Education System in Baden-Württemberg
Experience
Jan 2024 - Dec 2026
2 years Germany
IT/Software Program Manager for Data Platform for the Education System in Baden-Württemberg
Conet ISB GmbH / Institut für Bildungsanalyse Baden-Württemberg (IBBW)
- Establishing a central data platform for education data in Baden-Württemberg.
- Overall program management responsibility for a large-scale software development program to build a modern data platform for managing and analyzing student data in Baden-Württemberg. The program includes numerous parallel subprojects with different technical focuses that need to be coordinated, managed, and integrated to deliver a unified solution for the education system.
- Managing a complex software program with multiple teams and subprojects working in parallel in close cooperation with public institutions.
- Building and leading efficient program and governance structures to ensure focused and timely delivery.
- Responsible for overall reporting, escalation management, and status communication at executive level.
- Aligning technical and functional requirements across project boundaries to ensure an integrated end-to-end solution.
- Performing budget tracking and resource management for all subprojects within 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 2025
1 yearIT Program Manager for App-based eSIM Mobile Product
Drillisch Online GmbH (1&1) / WEB.DE&GMX
- Developed and launched a new mobile product.
- Led a strategically important program to develop and launch an innovative, app-based mobile service in a telecom corporate environment. The program included several parallel projects with high technical, organizational, and process complexity.
- Managed a program portfolio with parallel projects in development, infrastructure, CRM integration, sales, and marketing.
- Coordinated closely across departments, IT, external vendors, and system partners to identify and manage technical dependencies.
- Designed and integrated end-to-end customer journeys, ensuring seamless connection to existing platforms and systems.
- Planned and managed extensive testing and hypercare phases to ensure quality and stability at launch.
- Continuous risk and escalation management and structured reporting to C-level and steering committees.
- Overall responsibility for a technically and functionally demanding program with high strategic importance—including managing external partners, time and budget accountability, and quality assurance.
Jan 2022 - Dec 2025
2 yearsIT Program Manager eSIM Implementation
1&1 Telecommunications SE
- Developed and introduced new eSIM functionalities.
- Led a business-critical program to develop and roll out end-to-end eSIM technology across the group in the telecom sector. The program included multiple technical and functional subprojects and overall coordination of all stakeholders, systems, and vendors.
- Managed a complex program setup with parallel projects in IT development, cloud architecture, testing, operations, and product marketing.
- Coordinated all internal units and external vendors to ensure a coordinated rollout and stable operations.
- Managed cross-functional interfaces to integrate new features into existing IT landscapes, including connecting to SaaS/cloud components and internal platforms.
- Prioritized and maintained a complex program roadmap with clear alignment of technical, functional, and schedule dependencies.
- Proactive risk and escalation management and regular C-level reporting to steer a mission-critical digital program.
- Implemented agile governance and decision-making structures to ensure transparency, efficiency, and speed of execution.
Jan 2020 - Dec 2023
3 yearsIT Program Manager GNSS Network Rollout
Swift Navigation Inc. / Deutsche Telekom / Deutsche Funkturm
- GNSS network rollout across Europe.
- Deployed modern GNSS location technologies through IoT and cloud integration to improve service quality, data availability, and location accuracy in 14 European markets—with a special focus on B2B applications and network-side integration.
- Led a multinational technology program to introduce location solutions with direct integration into existing B2B service platforms and network infrastructures.
- Coordinated cross-functional teams and managed international technology partners and external vendors for technical implementation and integration.
- Built and managed scalable governance structures to guide the introduction and integration of cloud and IoT components into existing IT and system landscapes.
- Controlled technical integrations and interface connections to existing systems and operational processes at the corporate level.
- Ensured operational readiness during rollout through proactive risk and escalation management.
- Worked closely with internal business units, technical stakeholders, and external partners to align with strategic goals and market requirements.
- C-level reporting to provide transparent management and support operational and strategic decisions during the European rollout.
Jan 2020 - Dec 2022
2 yearsIT Program Manager Global Windows 10 Rollout
Lanxess AG
- Global Windows 10 rollout.
- IT transformation/migration project to modernize the global IT infrastructure for over 14,000 employees in 33 countries—with a special focus on production sites, system integration after mergers, and introducing new infrastructure, cloud, and CRM components.
- Led a global rollout to introduce Windows 10, modern cloud technologies, and group-wide business systems (e.g., CRM) in 33 countries—including production sites with critical operational requirements.
- Efficiently managed international vendors, especially teams in India, to support technical requirements and remote support.
- Developed and executed detailed rollout plans for industrial sites, ensuring system availability, data migration, and integration of existing applications.
- Managed transformation requirements related to acquisitions, while considering ongoing carve-out and outsourcing processes.
- Standardized rollout processes focusing on technical analyses, interface integration (e.g., CRM/ERP systems), feedback loops, and schedule management.
- Developed a comprehensive change management plan to introduce the new system landscape—including communication strategies, training measures, and user enablement.
- Collaborated closely with international site managers, business units, and external partners to align strategic milestones and operational execution.
- Introduced modern security standards, cloud, and CRM integrations to create a future-proof and scalable system architecture.
Jan 2018 - Dec 2025
7 yearsHead of Digital / Software Program Management (Telco Focus)
Cocus AG
- Built and led the program management department.
- Established and managed a high-performing program management team with full leadership responsibility for numerous complex client projects with budgets in the 7- to 8-figure range. As department head, I was responsible for strategic planning and oversight of all projects to ensure their successful delivery—especially for telecom clients like Vodafone (international and Germany).
- Led a team of 15 project managers responsible for parallel projects in various industries, focusing on telecom, automotive, logistics, and energy.
- For example: set up 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, with end-to-end responsibility for design, development, testing, and deployment—with a special focus on transition projects in IT infrastructure and modernization of customer IT environments.
- Advised and supported IT infrastructure modernization projects—including cloud migrations and implementation of scalable SaaS solutions—taking current trends into account like Industry 4.0, IoT, and digital platform strategies.
- Worked closely with C-level stakeholders on the development and implementation of strategic transformation and IT goals.
- Supported the implementation of modern security standards and optimization of existing IT landscapes to meet data protection and cybersecurity requirements.
Jan 2018 - Dec 2021
4 yearsIT Program Manager for Market Entry in the SEA Region
TUI AG
- Developed and launched a travel booking platform in the SEA region.
- Managed an international program with high strategic significance, covering the development and launch of a travel booking platform for expansion into the SEA region. This complex project was a central part of TUI's digital transformation strategy and required coordinating globally distributed teams and resources.
- Led an international team and managed an Indian vendor with over 100 employees working across different time zones and cultures.
- Developed a cloud-based booking platform using state-of-the-art technologies, including SaaS and machine learning, to deliver innovative and scalable market solutions.
- Managed product development and integration into existing IT systems, including adapting to local requirements and regulatory standards in target markets.
- Planned and controlled a significant budget and detailed timelines for a complex global project with strategic importance.
- Collaborated closely with C-level stakeholders and regional leaders to ensure strategic goals were met and market entry strategies were successfully implemented.
- Coordinated multi-disciplinary teams including software development, infrastructure, testing, marketing, and customer support to ensure seamless collaboration.
- Implemented modern governance and reporting structures to enable effective decision-making and on-time delivery.
Summary
Experienced IT project and program manager with over 10 years of experience leading large international projects and teams—especially in the telecommunications sector with a focus on infrastructure, services, and migration projects. Specialized in managing complex IT initiatives, I help organizations with the strategic and operational implementation of system migrations—including coordinating cross-functional project teams, managing external partners, and aligning with business units and management.
Languages
German
Native
English
Advanced
Education
Cologne Business School
Bachelor of Arts, Marketing Management · International Business · Cologne, Germany
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