Thies Schneider
Interim Head of Product
Experience
Aug 2024 - Present
1 yearHamburg, Germany
Interim Head of Product
Humanitarian Logistics Organization e.V.
- Leading the development of a tailored SaaS platform for Malteser International to manage, observe, and document international humanitarian project progress (still to be published)
- Contributing to the digital transformation of humanitarian projects, including those in rural areas
- Ensuring the platform is user-friendly, efficient, and meets the unique needs of Malteser International
Jun 2024 - Oct 2024
5 monthsMunich, Germany
Interim User Experience Lead
ADAC e.V.
- Optimized ADAC application routes for better opt-in and conversion rates (still to be published)
- Conducted workshops to identify improvements
- Delivered insights and recommendations for ongoing optimization
- A/B test setup
Jan 2024 - Dec 2024
1 yearProduct Specialist (Contract Application Routes)
ADAC
- Optimizing the different application routes at ADAC with regard to opt-in and conversion rates
- Conducted workshops and delivered A/B tests
- This project is currently in the testing phase, no results yet
Jan 2024 - Dec 2024
1 yearProduct Strategy (MyBMW App)
BMW
- The MyBMW App is built by silos, which leads to inconsistency in design and usability. I did several assessments and workshops to emphasize possible solutions
- Produced a consistent prototype
- Managed stakeholder expectations
- Analyzed design language and UX
- Categorized achievable tasks
- Proposed a long-term path for continuous development
Jan 2024 - Dec 2024
1 yearUser Experience Lead (Mobile Application)
BurdaForward
- BurdaForward wanted to rebuild a well-known publisher app without driving away existing users and ensure good UX while integrating several AI features
- Provided a way to release a parallel application
- Led the design team
- Managed stakeholder expectations
- AI product design
- This project is currently in internal beta test
Jan 2024 - Dec 2024
1 yearHead of Product (SaaS Logframe Integration)
Malteser International
- The team and I are building a tailored SaaS platform to manage, observe, and document the progress of international humanitarian projects, part of the digital transformation even in rural areas
- Built on headless Odoo
- Managed design and tech teams
- Implemented Scrum
- Paid attention to user needs from different focus groups around the world
- Managed business stakeholders
- Provided a competitive and lean development environment
Oct 2023 - Jul 2024
10 monthsMunich, Germany
Interim User Experience Lead
BurdaForward
- Led the creation and strategy of mobile applications (still to be published)
- Integrated complex AI innovations into meaningful user journeys
- Ensured the value of user experience while meeting business needs
Jan 2023 - Dec 2023
1 yearHead of Product (JoynMe App)
Seven.One
- JoynMe connected linear television through live interactions with user-generated content. I was responsible for creating the application, scaling it, and integrating it with the enterprise infrastructure
- More than twelve shows integrated
- Perfectly synchronized interactions via Shazam Kit integration
- More than five interaction types
- Daily livestreams with thousands of users
- Leaderboards
- Tailored games per format
- Ad integration
- Raffle integration
Feb 2022 - Sep 2023
1 year 8 monthsMunich, Germany
Interim Head of Product
Seven.One Entertainment Group
- Led strategy, creation, and product management for the Interaction Ecosystem at Seven.One, including the experimental JoynMe app which replaced the existing ProSieben App
- Led different teams in special projects, similar to a fast-paced startup environment
- Planned tech architecture and designed a backoffice system for editorial staff to manage interactions
- Oversaw the connection, design, and UX of SDKs for web, iOS, and Android platforms used by end users
- Built A/B testing infrastructure from the ground up
- Managed conception, planning, and execution of live and VoD show integrations (e.g., The Masked Singer, 1% Quiz, The Voice (Kids), GNTM, Zervakis and Opdenhövel, Joko & Klaas)
- Focused on delivering an excellent user experience with personalization, ad integration, conversion optimization, and fun user interactions
- Established a design system for the backoffice system
Jan 2022 - Dec 2022
1 yearHead of Product (Interaction Ecosystem)
Seven.One
- The Interaction Ecosystem is the backoffice management system for interactions and synchronizing linear television with digital assets from Seven.One. My role included planning and developing a comprehensive platform consisting of backend, integration SDKs for mobile, TV, and web, as well as editor management instances. I managed stakeholders, editors, and producer teams
- Product management
- Technical architecture
- Regular trainings and iterations
- High-pace development with tight deadlines
Jan 2021 - Dec 2021
1 yearUser Experience Lead (Multi-Brand & -Platform Streaming Service)
Seven.One
- Led a UX team to build a white-label, multi-tenant streaming service as the foundation for multiple B2C and B2B AVoD and SVoD products for mobile, TV, HbbTV, and web
- Managed the entire product lifecycle from conception to implementation and handled stakeholder management in the team and as the UX representative in the product triad
- Maintained a consistent token-driven design system across all platforms
- Achieved different KPIs for various tenants
- Boosted overall usage significantly
- Integrated specific business features like radio player, shoppable TV, etc.
Jan 2020 - Dec 2020
1 yearUser Experience Lead (SSO 7Pass)
Seven.One
- The SSO 7Pass serves more than 20 million users. The team and I rebuilt the login experience from the ground up with a conversational identifier-first flow, boosting conversion
- Converted ~13 million users
- Onboarded more than 10 new client parties
- Created user-journey dependent, contextual, and platform-specific clients
- Integrated netID
- Added a custom-made, IAB-certified CMP with a conversion rate more than 15% above average
- Ensured user safety with OAuth standards while keeping good UX
Sep 2019 - Jan 2022
2 years 5 monthsMunich, Germany
Interim User Experience Lead
Seven.One Entertainment Group
- Built and led high-performing design teams
- Head of User Experience for a seamless, multi-brand streaming system, covering everything from research to implementation
- Led, integrated, and managed the design system for more than seven brands
- Ensured smooth operation, interoperability, and optimal user experience for all products
- Led the development of core enterprise products such as 7Pass (SSO), a cross-platform media player, and SDKs for interactive elements and CMP
- Developed easy-to-use, intuitive experiences across web, apps, and smart TVs
- Shaped the overall user experience strategy, ensuring products were useful, intuitive, and fun across multiple platforms
- Managed testing infrastructure with quantitative A/B tests and qualitative user tests
- Pushed the boundaries of user experience in a large corporate environment, aiming for innovation and excellence in sync with engineering
Jun 2018 - Aug 2019
1 year 3 monthsMunich, Germany
Senior User Experience Consultant
MediaMarktSaturn
- Led the establishment of a cohesive design system as a UX designer and design systems specialist
- Structured and built the UX team, creating an immersive model to contribute to the design system
- Delivered a multi-brand design system, ensuring a seamless and consistent user experience across two brands
- Developed no-code tools to streamline asset creation for marketing, enabling more efficient and effective campaigns
- Leveraged expertise in design systems, UX design, and marketing to improve customer experience and drive business growth
Sep 2016 - May 2018
1 year 9 monthsMunich, Germany
User Experience Architect
Sinnerschrader | Accenture
- Led the creation and implementation of design systems for diverse clients
- Directed the redesign of clients’ digital platforms to improve user experience
- Assisted in developing omnichannel e-commerce concepts, ensuring seamless and consistent user experiences across all channels
- Delivered successful, user-friendly digital solutions tailored to specific industry requirements
Jul 2013 - Jun 2016
3 yearsEssen, Germany
User Experience Researcher & Product Creator
Folkwang University of the Arts
- Conducted research on user behavior to gather insights for product development
- Identified key design principles to guide the invention of new mechanisms and products
- Focused on fulfilling users’ needs while ensuring usability and overall satisfaction
- Provided valuable insights and recommendations based on research findings
- Contributed to successful, user-friendly products through data-driven design decisions
- Gave lectures in psychology
Summary
Hi, I am Thies and I am driven by my deep passion for innovative, data-driven products that excite users and make a difference for customers. With over a decade of experience in industries such as telecommunications, automotive, and e-commerce, I have developed concepts and ready-to-use products, ranging from complex B2B2C platforms to lean startup applications. My background in psychology and Human-Machine Interaction drives my user-centered approach, which I have successfully applied in my work.
I have a proven track record of combining holistic strategy with hands-on execution, whether it is delivering innovative solutions for large enterprises or introducing agile practices to startup environments. There I have driven creation, maintenance, and governance of robust design systems and UI frameworks. I am driving excellence and a best-in-class process for the team, because I believe that the best products come from strong, autonomous teams where each person can contribute their best.
My exceptional communication skills enable me to articulate and evangelize concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. I explore trends, and emerging technologies to bring impulses to my work.
Languages
German
NativeEnglish
Advanced Education
Sep 2010 - Aug 2013
TU Darmstadt
M.Sc., Occupational and Engineering Psychology · Psychology · Darmstadt, Germany
Sep 2007 - Aug 2010
TU Darmstadt
B.Sc. · Psychology · Darmstadt, Germany
Max-Born-Gymnasium
General university entrance qualification · Heidelberg, Germany
Certifications & licenses
Product Owner PSPO I
Scrum.org
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