Stefan Schüßler
Interims Head of Product Owner and Release Manager
Experience
Sep 2024 - Present
10 monthsInterims Head of Product Owner and Release Manager
Star Finanz
- Led a team of over 20 Product Owners, Designers, and Release Managers in the App Factory during a key organizational transformation.
- Focused on supporting the team through change, helping them succeed in their current roles while preparing for new responsibilities.
- Fostered personal growth, built team resilience, and helped shape a culture ready for the company’s next chapter.
May 2023 - Jul 2024
1 year 3 monthsCPO and Co-Founder
Luccid
- Used the power of generative AI to redefine the construction industry.
- Bridged tech and business by driving the product strategy, ensuring the product met high UX standards for a flawless user journey.
- Handled responsibilities for B2B Sales, Investor Pitches, Public Grants, Financial Forecasting and Planning, along with many operational tasks.
Mar 2023 - Present
2 years 4 monthsProduct Management Coach (Part-Time)
- Help other professionals to become better Product Managers by acquiring the right skills and reflecting on themselves.
- Collected patterns about challenges companies face in Product Management.
- Specifically helped clients to become AI-driven Product Managers by connecting generative AI knowledge with Product Management experience.
- Assignments included working with MCI Germany, Future Fashion (Italy), and Star Finanz.
Nov 2022 - Jan 2023
3 monthsProduct Consultant (Contract)
MOIA
- Supported Fleet Operations Domain as a Product Manager across three teams.
- Ensured ongoing projects and product requirements were provided with the required input.
- Facilitated smooth running of product processes.
Sep 2021 - Sep 2022
1 year 1 monthHead of Product Management
Finleap Connect
- Responsible for the entire product portfolio, comprising of one API platform and two consumer products.
- Led transformation efforts to make the company a truly Pan-European Open Banking platform.
Apr 2021 - Sep 2021
6 monthsInternational Project Manager
Finleap Connect
- Acted as Project Lead for a large international project in Bahrain.
- Ensured the delivery of Open Banking API and coordinated with developers externally for a Mobile Application.
Nov 2020 - Sep 2021
11 monthsHead of Business Unit Financial Insights
Finleap Connect
- Merged the categorization team and the data services vertical into one business unit.
- Focused on all data-related topics in the company.
- Led over 20 people with four different roles.
Apr 2020 - Oct 2020
7 monthsHead of Product
Finleap Connect
- Enhanced the quality of the prediction engine from an F1 Score of < 0.6 to > 0.8 within months.
- Delivered high prediction performance for risk indicators used in risk assessment for loan applications.
Sep 2019 - Mar 2020
7 monthsPrincipal Product Manager
Finleap Connect
- Collaborated directly with the CPO on assessments of development teams.
- Implemented the product framework and established a cross-vertical product organization.
- Took over the newly formed Data Services vertical as interim Head of Product.
Jun 2019 - Aug 2019
3 monthsHead of Product
Finreach Solutions
- Focused on due diligence and consolidation of existing products during an ongoing merger.
- Supported the CPO to reorganize the product organization and implement the product framework.
May 2017 - May 2019
2 years 1 monthSenior Product Manager
Searchmetrics
- Built a product that converts vast amounts of data and complex information into actionable insights.
- Enabled both experts and managers to make important financial decisions through the product's actionable insights.
Jun 2015 - Apr 2017
1 year 11 monthsSenior Product Manager
Webtrekk
Feb 2015 - May 2015
4 monthsFreelancer
Freelancer for Early-Stage Startups
Oct 2013 - Jan 2015
1 year 4 months Johannesburg, South Africa
Founder
Customind Ltd. Pty.
Sep 2006 - Mar 2013
6 years 7 months Stuttgart, Germany
Team Lead Continuous Integration
Alcatel-Lucent
Sep 2003 - Aug 2006
3 years Berlin, Germany
Diplom (BA) Computer Engineering
Berlin School of Economics
Summary
I’m a people-first Product Leader with over 12 years of experience leading teams, building data-driven products, and helping organizations grow through meaningful transformation. At the heart of my work is a deep belief that great products start with understanding people — whether it's users, team members, or stakeholders.
My journey has taken me from founding and leading an AI startup as CPO to managing cross-functional Data Science and Product teams in larger organizations. I’m passionate about the potential of data and AI, but even more passionate about making sure they serve real human needs.
As a Product Coach and Consultant, I support companies in becoming truly product-driven — not just in processes, but in mindset and culture. My entrepreneurial background has taught me to think big, move fast, and always stay close to the human problems we’re trying to solve.
Languages
German
Native
Chinese
Advanced
English
Advanced
French
Advanced
Spanish
Advanced
Education
Oct 2003 - Jun 2006
Berlin School of Economics
Diplom (BA) · Computer Engineering · Berlin, Germany
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