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Islam IsmailII

Islam Ismail

program manager

€900/day
München, DE
15+ years

Average response time: 1 hour

Freelancer profile translated to English.
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About Islam

Most programs fail not because of the technology.
They fail because no one is truly in control.
I step in when complexity slows teams down – multiple stakeholders, competing priorities, delivery delays.
At this point, program management stops being just coordination… and becomes leadership.
For over 14 years, I have led extensive technical programs in FinTech and Payments, including:
Scaling SAFe across two Agile Release Trains (over 120 people) and increasing delivery predictability to 90%
Building and leading a PMO from scratch to over ten program managers
Managing cross-continental portfolios (25 teams across Europe, the US, and Asia)
Implementing key payment innovations like Tap to Phone
I don't just 'manage' programs. I build the systems that ensure program success – portfolio governance, agile frameworks, PMO structures, and consistent execution.
What sets me apart?
I've worked at all levels – from Scrum Master, to Director at Visa, to Business Unit Manager. I understand management priorities and operational challenges.
This combination is rare. And it shows in the results. If you're looking to scale a product, eliminate delivery chaos, or build a functioning PMO – let's talk.
  • German

    Fluent

  • English

    Native or bilingual

  • Arabic

    Native or bilingual

Can work on-site
München (up to 50km), Frankfurt am Main (up to 50km), Stuttgart (up to 50km), Berlin (up to 50km)

Experience

  • Pixida
    Business Unit Manager
    DIGITAL AND IT
    October 2024 - Today (1 year and 8 months)
    Munich, Germany
    • Led technology consulting projects focused on digital transformation, AI implementation, and enterprise software delivery.
    • Drove business growth through acquiring and executing complex IT programs for enterprise clients.
    • Managed an AI initiative to enhance efficiency through triage automation, analysis, and routing of support tickets.
    • Oversaw project execution, resource management, and client relations across multiple projects to ensure tailored IT solutions.
    • Delivered PRINCE2 training as an accredited instructor.
    Program Management IT Consulting IT Project Management digital-transformation Trainer
  • Visa Inc.
    Director
    BANKING AND INSURANCE
    April 2021 - September 2024 (3 years and 6 months)
    Munich, Germany
    • Led large-scale payment and merchant acceptance initiatives at Visa Acceptance Solutions.
    • Launched new payment capabilities, including 'Tap-to-Phone,' enabling merchants to accept payments via mobile devices.
    • Directed a scaled agile program with over 120 engineers across two release trains, improving delivery predictability by 90%.
    • Spearheaded the integration of Payworks payment technology into Visa's global ecosystem.
    • Built and scaled the Munich PMO organization by hiring and mentoring 10 program and project managers.
    • Served as a GenAI Ambassador, assisting teams in leveraging generative AI to enhance project delivery, reporting, and documentation.
    PMO Program Management Scaled Agile Senior Stakeholder Management Prioritization
  • Wirecard Technologies
    Principal Portfolio Manager
    BANKING AND INSURANCE
    January 2019 - March 2021 (2 years and 2 months)
    Munich, Germany
    • Led and optimized the planning of project deliveries for PSP (Payment Service Provider) cross-functional teams (25 teams in 6 countries).
    • Supported VP in reporting and portfolio management.
    • Provided support and coaching to project and program managers.
    • Determined common priorities with various stakeholders (Product Management, Sales, and Professional Services).
    Project Portfolio Management Program Management SAFe Stakeholder Management Prioritization

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Education

  • Master of Engineering
    Alexandria University
    2014
    Master's Degree - Electronics Engineering
  • Bachelor of Engineering
    Alexandria Engineering
    2000
    Bachelors Degree - Electronics Engineering

Certifications

  • PMP
    PMI
    2013
    Project Management
  • SPC
    Scaled Agile Inc.
    2019

Skill set

Categories