Ivan Benko
When people talk, listen completely. Don’t be thinking what you’re going to say. Most people never listen.
Ernest Hemingway
Summary
CHALLENGE is not just a word for me; it is the driving force that propels me forward !
My professional journey has been defined by an unwavering commitment to understanding user problems and delivering genuine value through user-centered experiences. I am dedicated to integrating the latest technology and effective business logic to provide innovative solutions that drive success for both clients
and teams.
I am a firm believer in the power of human talent and have a proven track record of building complex teams with diverse skill sets. Working collaboratively is where I
thrive, and my determination, focus, and passion for what I believe in have been the driving forces behind successful projects.
Continuous learning is a non-negotiable aspect of my professional ethos. I embrace the challenge of staying at the forefront of technological advancements and
leveraging that knowledge to create impactful solutions. Whether it's the virtual space, metaverse, or any emerging platform, my adaptability and curiosity position
me as a valuable asset to any forward-thinking team.
Creating communities around products and experiences in the virtual space is inherently challenging, but I thrive on turning complexity into opportunity.
I am excited about the prospect of joining your team and furthering the success of innovative projects.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Snr Tech Product Manager
Riot Games (acquired Wargaming Sydney)
03.2020 - 11.2023
- Involved with a successful acquisition process of WarGaming
- Established product/engineering team in Australia working closely with EMs
- Owned product vision of one Riot's key divisions Gameplay
- Instituted agile processes cross geo-diverse teams
- Influenced changes across the main company business unit.
- Captured new customers by optimizing business strategies and launching products to diversify offerings.
- Coordinated design meetings and decisions with internal departments and teams.
- Thrived in fast-paced, highly-adept team to develop and prioritize product features and build product roadmap.
Digital Innovation Director
Holisteq (self-funded Start-up)
02.2019 - 02.2020
- Discover the key 'areas of pain' the business is experiencing
- Identify and address technology and business trends applicable to business
- Define and recommend solutions in response to business problem insights
- Deliver Digital Transformation roadmap (addressing short-term and long-term goals).
Chief Technology Solutions Architect
Linius Technologies
05.2016 - 10.2018
- Directly contributed to successful investment raises and company share price
- Supported current and emerging programs through interactions with high-level customers, business partners and external vendors.
- Increased company's intellectual property value by driving innovation within business.
Snr Tech Product Engineer
Akamai Technologies
02.2014 - 02.2016
- Drove revenue by managing the pre-sales technical process
- Evangelised technology to existing and prospective customers.
Solution Architect and Product Owner
Ooyala
02.2012 - 12.2013
- Worked closely with product teams to define and prioritize partner feature requests
- Provided expertise and solution architecture and delivery pertaining to OOyala’s platform and bespoke integrations
Digital Product Manager
MCSaatchi/Make Agency
09.2011 - 02.2012
- Managed Eng & Prod teams while evangelising Agile methodologies.
Head of Digital
McCann Worldgroup
11.2010 - 07.2011
- Acted as main point of contact for leadership, technology, product management, analytics, finance and external vendors.
- Developed and motivated high-performing team of digital experts.
- Delivered digital strategy by utilising a full range of digital solutions to meet customer's needs.
Snr Agile Technical Business Analyst
Thoughtworks (headhunted)
01.2010 - 11.2010
- Evangelised Agile across wide range of industries.
- Applied honed problem-solving skills to analyze and resolve issues impacting business operations and goal achievement.
- Collaborated with stakeholders to identify business needs and data sources.
Snr Product Eng Support Lead
Atlassian
05.2006 - 11.2009
- Part of the first 50 employees established and managed the very first product engineering Legendary support team in Australia and Malaysia working closely with partners and customers around the globe
- Made numerous innovations and improvements not only to the product itself but also to a process for capturing and identifying customers needs and market opportunities based on data-driven approach and analysis.
- For example, designed the vision and implementation for proactive SelfServe tools for Atlassian, eg.Health Check - realtime contextual/proactive troubleshooting
Software Engineer
Maptek
02.2004 - 02.2006
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality software products on schedule.
- Updated old code bases to modern development standards, improving functionality.
- Participated in architecture, design and implementation of back-end features using C++, C#
- Collaborated with clients to define solution requirements.
Software Developer
Nautronix
01.2002 - 02.2004
- Designed and developed forward-thinking systems that meet user needs and improve productivity.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Computer Science
Skills
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Interpersonal Communication
- Stakeholder Alignment and Communications
- Product Vision, Mission, Strategy and Development
- Iterative Innovation
- Product and Project Lifecycle Management
- Cross Functional Leadership
- Prioritization and Execution
- Customer and Vendor Management and Training
- Critical Thinking
Timeline
Snr Tech Product Manager - Riot Games (acquired Wargaming Sydney)
03.2020 - 11.2023
Digital Innovation Director - Holisteq (self-funded Start-up)
02.2019 - 02.2020
Chief Technology Solutions Architect - Linius Technologies
05.2016 - 10.2018
Snr Tech Product Engineer - Akamai Technologies
02.2014 - 02.2016
Solution Architect and Product Owner - Ooyala
02.2012 - 12.2013
Digital Product Manager - MCSaatchi/Make Agency
09.2011 - 02.2012
Head of Digital - McCann Worldgroup
11.2010 - 07.2011
Snr Agile Technical Business Analyst - Thoughtworks (headhunted)
01.2010 - 11.2010
Snr Product Eng Support Lead - Atlassian
05.2006 - 11.2009
Software Engineer - Maptek
02.2004 - 02.2006
Software Developer - Nautronix
01.2002 - 02.2004
Curtin University - Bachelor of Science, Computer Science
Skills Values
- Building and enabling high-performing engineering & production teams cross-function & geos
- Driven and motivated, leading complex technical and business transaction activities
- High sense of accountability and responsibility for all tasks
- Able to articulate a vision and align team members to a common goal
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills
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