Lead PM & Agile Coach · Bratislava, Slovakia
Jaroslav
Novák
Embedding real agility in organisations that mean it — across fintech, payments, and digital product delivery.
About
Everyone's talking about AI. Fewer are asking how to actually deliver with it. The teams that will make it work aren't the ones with the best models — they're the ones with clear ownership, fast feedback loops, and the discipline to iterate. The principles Agile was always about, just finally with real urgency.
I help organisations build that foundation — across fintech, payments, and digital product delivery. Based in Bratislava, working across EU markets.
Experience
Where I've worked
Vacuumlabs
Nov 2025 – Present
Lead PM / Presales Support
Supporting multiple concurrent presales engagements — covering RFP preparation, internal coordination, client communication, and proposal writing. Working closely with delivery and sales teams to ensure proposals are grounded in realistic scope and delivery approach.
Vacuumlabs
Jan 2024 – Mar 2026
Agile Coach
Ongoing coaching engagement supporting organisational transformation at one of Slovakia's largest banks. Working embedded within transformation initiatives — facilitating workshops, supporting teams in adopting new ways of working, and contributing to transformation roadmap definition.
Vacuumlabs
Nov 2022 – Jun 2024
Senior PM / Product Manager
Led a cross-functional team of up to 26 people delivering a new credit card proposition for the UK market — from concept to launch. Built a team that could operate independently: make decisions, manage complexity, and drive delivery without constant oversight.
Vacuumlabs
May – Nov 2025
Senior Project Manager
Fleet Management initiative phases 1 & 2 — digitising and integrating nine insurance companies into a unified platform for one of the Czech Republic's largest insurance brokers. Extended the solution to meet new regulatory requirements under the Motor Insurance Directive.
Vacuumlabs
Oct 2024 – Jun 2025
Senior PM — Investment Calculator
Led the project from initial discovery through full delivery — migrating an Excel-based tool to a modern standalone solution. The delivered tool is now used by agents as the primary solution for creating and managing investment products.
Teya
Mar 2021 – Nov 2022
Scrum Master / Product Manager
Built and led a team from scratch to deliver a new POS terminal application now used by hundreds of thousands of merchants across Europe. Grew the team from 0 to 20+ people. Reduced release cycle from three weeks to 48 hours.
Solon Solutions
Sep 2020 – Jun 2024
Founder / Delivery Flow Consultant
Independent consulting practice focused on delivery flow, project governance, and agile practices — typically short, focused interventions with smaller clients and teams.
Kulm LLC
Feb 2019 – Oct 2020
Product Owner / Scrum Master
Led unification of decentralised software solutions across the group covering e-commerce, warehousing, and logistics. Selected and implemented new ERP software, introduced Agile practices, and scaled operations to 3,000+ daily shipments.
Skills & Expertise
What I bring
Agile Coaching
Embedding real agility in teams and organisations — beyond the ceremonies, into the mindset and culture.
Project Management
Full delivery ownership across complex, cross-functional programmes in fintech and payments.
Product Ownership
Roadmap definition, backlog management, and stakeholder alignment from concept through to launch.
Presales & Consulting
RFP preparation, proposal writing, client communication, and scoping complex delivery engagements.
Contact
Let's talk
Based in Bratislava. Working across EU markets. Always open to meaningful conversations.