Hello,
I'm Jennifer Aengst,

Freelance Senior Project Manager I/V

Since 2015, I have been working as a freelance project manager and consultant with companies of varying sizes – from boutique digital agencies to DAX-isted corpo­rations, in both traditional and agile environ­ments. My projects include web-based platforms and mobile apps, with clients in Germany, the United Kingdom, Portugal, Malta and Italy.

Below is a selection of my most exciting projects for clients such as Munich Re, Körber Digital, ngn (Vogel Communications Group), Büro am Draht und Internet Provider Berlin:

• White-Label App Development in the Financial Sector

  Leading a 35-strong, internationally distributed team (UX, development, QA) in the develop­ment of a mobile white-label app for the financial sector, delivered on a shared codebase across three markets (Germany, Malta and Portugal). High technical complexity due to varying product parameters, country-specific regulatory require­ments and differing technical integrations on the licensees' side. Primary point of contact for all three app versions, including organisation and facilitation of C-level workshops as well as stake­holder management on the client side. Coordination of diverging regulatory, product-specific and process-related requirements, oversight of data protection compliance and management of the tender process for the integration of a video identification solution.

Freelance Senior Project Manager II/V

• SAFe-Based Relaunch of the Audi Vehicle Configurator

  Single Point of Contact (SPOC) between the client and internal Scrum teams during the SAFe-based refactoring and relaunch of the Audi vehicle configurator – a globally deployed platform of high technical complexity due to millions of possible configu­rations, integration with global production systems and country-specific requirements. Coordination made particu­larly demanding by the continuous synchro­nisation of multiple Agile Release Trains and the management of critical technical depen­dencies across teams. Steering communi­cation and coordi­nation between client and internal teams, facilitating PI Plannings and representing the team in PO Syncs, ART Syncs and Inspect & Adapt Workshops.

• Project Stabilisation and Process Optimisation for Cross-Country Configuration Website

  Two-phase consulting engagement for an international company introducing a cross-country configu­ration website for the first time. Phase 1 – project stabili­sation, eight weeks before a critical trade fair deadline: establishing shared goals and priorities, introducing binding responsi­bilities and deadlines, and driving structured alignment across country boundaries – even though some stakeholder buy-in had to be actively won first. Result: a click dummy delivered on time and endorsed by all countries. Phase 2 – process optimisation: defining and rolling out improved project structures and workflows for the remainder of the project.

Freelance Senior Project Manager III/V

• Configuration and Implementation of OpenProject

  Cross-team implementation of OpenProject as a project and task management tool. Gathering, consoli­dating and priori­tising team-specific require­ments, followed by the full conceptual design and implemen­tation of the system configu­ration, including issue types with associated data fields and process logic. Development of a training concept with practical scenarios, delivery of training sessions for team members and designated adminis­trators, and creation of tailored user and admin documentation.

• CRM and ERP System Management incl. Major Release and Server Migration

  Operational management of VEMAS.NET, a locally hosted CRM and ERP system, as the primary point of contact for all business departments in a team of two. Analysing and developing a thorough under­standing of bug reports and change requests, working with the relevant depart­ments to develop solutions, maintaining and priori­tising the task backlog, and steering the external developer. Additionally, delivering regular online training sessions on selected features. Key challenge: a major release that required the simul­taneous migration of both test and production environ­ments to a new generation of Windows Server. Capturing all critical processes with the business departments, drawing up a test plan, recruiting and training testers, and coordinating a tightly scheduled sequential acceptance test in the production environment.

Freelance Senior Project Manager IV/V

• Time-Critical Platform Development with Technical Constraints

  Project management for the time-critical build of a web-based industry network in response to the COVID-related loss of all trade fair revenue. Bridging the gap between management-defined feature require­ments and the technical capabi­lities of the existing custom CRM – developed in regular solution design work­shops with the IT team. Stake­holder management at group level, steering an external UX designer, creating feature tickets with robust acceptance criteria and introducing new internal processes.

• Scrum Introduction, Team Coaching and Role as Scrum Master

  Introduction of Scrum and hands-on coaching of a 25-strong, cross-functional project group, split into three Scrum teams – whilst simul­taneously taking on the Scrum Master role for one of the teams. Group-wide delivery of Scrum funda­mentals through regular training sessions and individual feedback. Operational support of my own team as Scrum Master, alongside mentoring the designated Product Owners and Scrum Masters of all three teams in their day-to-day roles.

Freelance Senior Project Manager V/V

• Multi-Project Management in an Agency Environment

  End-to-end project responsi­bility for multiple simul­taneous client projects at a digital agency, primarily web-based platforms and mobile applications in e-commerce and media. Primary point of contact for all clients; planning and facili­tating kick-off and status meetings, steering internal project teams within a matrix organisation and managing resource planning. Proactive scope and change management, audience-appropriate internal and external reporting, and support for proposal preparation through definition of require­ments and project exclusions.

• Key Account Management für ein Bundes-Cloud-Infrastrukturprojekt

  Key account and internal project management for a federal cloud infra­structure project in accordance with BSI baseline protection require­ments. Externally, serving as the primary point of contact for the client; internally, steering the IT team in the delivery of the agreed services. Active involve­ment in the tendering phase: orches­trating the internal response, structuring the proposal documen­tation and implemen­tation concept, and drafting the non-technical content. Expectation management and client communi­cation with regard to the complex BSI baseline protection require­ments, including facili­tating alignment between the IT team's technical solutions and the client's functional requirements.

Senior Project Manager

Multi-project management for the development of 20+ B2C apps and mobile optimized websites for clients such as Zurich Airport, L’TUR, Schuh­tempel24, BP/Aral, ADAC, adidas, and Generali Deutschland. Full account­ability for budget, scope and timeline

• Single point of contact for external clients, including consulting and expectations management ensuring full customer satisfaction
• Manage and motivate internal project teams (some remotely) for UX design, software development and quality management
• Plan, monitor and manage budget, deliverables and time­lines as well as project risks
• Plan resources within a matrix-style project organization
• Perform requirements analyses in close collabo­ration with the client
• Handle project escalations at senior management level
• Identify and implement process optimi­sations to increase efficiency across all projects
• Support proposal preparation by defining requirements and project scope

Sevenval Technologies (now Avenga), Berlin

September 2010 - January 2015

Product Development Manager

New product development and agile project management for innovative Sky TV web services (e.g. "Never Miss", "TV Listings", "Sky Accessibility").

• Create product concepts, wireframes and functional specifi­cations
• Taking on the role of Product Owner or Scrum Master during delivery: managing the product roadmap and sprint backlog, including prioritisation and refinement of user stories, or facilitating Scrum events and identifying, resolving and escalating impediments where necessary
• Review and sign-off of all project deliverables
• Ensure efficient and continuous management of risks, issues and dependencies
• Advise and mediate between internal stake­holders at senior management level, communi­cating project information tailored to audience needs
• Implement new or optimised processes for the new web services

BSkyB, London

January 2008 - August 2010

Key Account and Project Manager

Manage the development of TV-related services (digital programme guides for websites and set-top boxes; white-label press lounge; programme PR for the market launch of pay-TV service „Kabel Digital HOME" including set-up and operation of a press lounge) as well as key account management for clients such as Kabel Deutschland, Axel Springer, Swisscom and Panasonic.

Product Manager Electronic Media

Product management for digital white-label programme guides and digital programme data packages; project management for customer-specific adaptations and enhancements.

PPS Presse-Programm-Service, Berlin

January 2001 - January 2008