resume.json

{
  "meta": {
    "theme": "elegant"
  },
  "basics": {
    "name": "Christos Chatzis",
    "label": "Sr Technology Manager | ex - fCTO",
    "summary": "With a dynamic blend of academic rigor and industry expertise, I stand at the forefront of engineering innovation in the gaming technology sector as a Senior Big Data Technology Manager. Holding both Greek and Canadian citizenship, my career is underpinned by a robust foundation in Physics and Control and Computing, augmented by significant experience in various R&D roles, where I focused on cutting-edge technology solutions and received important recognition. Previously, I served as an Associate Director of Engineering in the entertainment industry, where I led engineering teams and drove innovation across multiple projects. I have also served as a Fractional CTO (fCTO), leveraging my extensive experience to drive technological advancements and strategic initiatives. I excel in leading distributed teams across multiple countries, fostering an environment of engineering excellence, process refinement, and diversity. My technical expertise in Real-Time Big Data Analytics and ML/AI drives innovation, enhances data-driven decision-making, and aligns with strategic business objectives. My commitment to delivering impactful results and fostering innovation, coupled with my active participation as a speaker at conferences like Developer Week Global and my contributions as an author for renowned blogs such as LeadDev, establish me as a pivotal figure in the engineering community. Additionally, I am the founder of the -Leadership Conversations in Tech- meetup, where I foster discussions and knowledge-sharing on leadership in the tech sector, the Leaddev Athens meetup organiser, and the creator of the #git push -f leadership# newsletter, which aims to inspire and guide professionals on navigating leadership challenges in tech. Currently, I am looking for the next challenge, whether it’s setting up a new software engineering department or scaling up the engineering capabilities of a gaming technology startup, where I can apply my expertise to drive growth and innovation.",
    "email": "xatzis.xristos.phys@gmail.com",
    "phone": "+30 6906402324",
    "location": {
      "city": "Athens",
      "countryCode": "GR"
    },
    "profiles": [
      {
        "url": "https://gr.linkedin.com/in/christos-chatzis-57108089",
        "username": "christos-chatzis",
        "network": "linkedin"
      },
      {
        "url": "https://github.com/chachara88",
        "username": "chachara88",
        "network": "github"
      },
      {
        "url": "https://www.meetup.com/leadership-conversations-in-tech/",
        "username": "Leadership in Tech",
        "network": "Meetup"
      },
      {
        "url": "https://www.meetup.com/athens-new-technology-meetup-group/",
        "username": "LeadDev Athens",
        "network": "Meetup"
      },
      {
        "url": "https://gitpushleadership.substack.com/",
        "username": "git push -f leadership",
        "network": "Substack"
      }
    ],
    "url": "https://gitpushleadership.substack.com/"
  },
  "education": [
    {
      "endDate": "2020-01-01",
      "startDate": "2014-01-01",
      "area": "Computer Science, Control && computing",
      "studyType": "MSc",
      "institution": "National and Kapodestrian University of Athens",
      "url": "https://rb.gy/1oi6a"
    },
    {
      "endDate": "2013-06-30",
      "startDate": "2013-03-01",
      "area": "Operator of Telecom Engineering Center",
      "studyType": "Honors: Top 1% of the class",
      "institution": "Hellenic Air Force: 128 Air training Group"
    },
    {
      "endDate": "2013-03-18",
      "startDate": "2006-09-15",
      "area": "Physics",
      "studyType": "BSc",
      "institution": "National and Kapodestrian University of Athens"
    }
  ],
  "skills": [
    {
      "keywords": [
        "C++",
        "Golang"
      ],
      "level": "",
      "name": "Programming Languages"
    },
    {
      "keywords": [
        "Metabase",
        "Snowflake",
        "AWS",
        "PostgreSQL",
        "Databricks",
        "MongoDB",
        "Apache Kafka",
        "Apache Storm",
        "Sonarcube"
      ],
      "level": "",
      "name": "Other"
    }
  ],
  "certificates": [
    {
      "name": "The Principal Dev",
      "date": "2022-12-16",
      "issuer": " Eduards Sizovs -> https://principal.dev/",
      "url": "https://certs.principal.dev/18x/U04FE7B83CL"
    }
  ],
  "publications": [
    {
      "name": "How better developer experience drives results",
      "publisher": "LeadDev - Webinar",
      "releaseDate": "2025-05-15",
      "url": "https://shorturl.at/wysQv",
      "summary": "Why the path to faster releases and innovation starts with putting developers first."
    },
    {
      "name": "How a follow-the-sun model drives speed and innovation",
      "publisher": "LeadDev",
      "releaseDate": "2024-12-17",
      "url": "https://shorturl.at/ysFgC",
      "summary": "How does a follow-the-sun model actually work in practice? Here are some advantages and drawbacks, along with tips for overcoming hurdles."
    },
    {
      "name": "(KeyNote): DealBeyond the Deal: Tackling M&A Integration Head-On",
      "publisher": "Developer Week Global",
      "releaseDate": "2024-06-06",
      "url": "https://shorturl.at/MJzy9",
      "summary": "Explore Orfium's ambitious merger journey, highlighting the unification of diverse cultures, product lines, and infrastructures. Learn strategies for overcoming challenges and gain insights for future mergers."
    },
    {
      "name": "Dominate YouTube Traffic: Conquer 10x More Traffic with YouTube’s CMS",
      "publisher": "Orfium",
      "releaseDate": "2023-06-05",
      "url": "https://www.orfium.com/dominate-youtube-traffic-conquer-10x-more-traffic-with-youtubes-cms/",
      "summary": "This publication in Orfium's blog outlines how SyncTracker, a YouTube license enforcement system developed by Orfium, efficiently manages music claims and tracks a surge in YouTube traffic. It discusses technical solutions to optimize claims tracking, improve performance, and accommodate significant increases in content. Notable achievements include a 700% reduction in missing claims and enhanced scalability to handle up to 3 million claims per day. The blog emphasizes the commitment to continuous improvement and innovation in the ever-evolving landscape of YouTube content management."
    },
    {
      "name": "MTSS: Movie Trailers Surveillance System",
      "publisher": "Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)",
      "releaseDate": "2023-07",
      "url": "https://rb.gy/ipabd",
      "summary": "The movie industry is characterized by high levels of uncertainty due to the difficulties businesses have predicting sales and income since they depend on so many complex elements. Because of the significant movie industry’s upfront costs, investors must make decisions based on accurate methodologies to estimate the success or returns of their investments. Due to social networks’ widespread use in our daily lives, there is an unprecedented amount of publicly available posts containing emotional triggers that can be analyzed. In this paper, we showcase our movie trailers campaign surveillance system using social media analytics and public mood. The system provides an overall interactive dashboard to users and the capability for further process, analysis, and visualization of data in distinct customized reports. The proposed system also offers a configurable environment to gather metrics from heterogeneous social media platforms and extract advanced analytics through dedicated AI tools for sentiment and emotion extraction. This solution benefits the continuous surveillance of a movie trailer’s popularity and supports the success of marketing campaigns."
    },
    {
      "name": "(Plenary): How Metaverse transforms the music industry",
      "publisher": "Open-conf - https://shorturl.at/ryMFJ",
      "releaseDate": "2022-12-03",
      "url": "https://shorturl.at/mR8pi",
      "summary": "I attended open-conf as a plenary speaker. The Metaverse is the post-reality universe, a perpetual and persistent multiuser environment merging physical reality with digital virtuality. It is based on the convergence of technologies that enable multisensory interactions with virtual environments, digital objects, and people such as virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). It enables seamless embodied user communication in real-time and dynamic interactions with digital artifacts. This speech will try to uncover how the metaverse will transform the music industry, how the copyrights are going to be protected in this era, and to shed some light on the opportunities and challenges ahead."
    }
  ],
  "work": [
    {
      "summary": "Kaizen Gaming is the leading GameTech company in Greece and one of the fastest-growing in the world -top 5-, operating in 19 markets with 2 brands, Betano & Stoiximan.",
      "name": "Kaizen Gaming",
      "location": "Athens/Greece",
      "position": "Senior Technology Manager - Big Data",
      "startDate": "2024-12-02",
      "highlights": [
        "In my role, I oversee the Data Platform team, which consists of approximately 5-10 people, setting performance goals and ensuring the achievement of Objectives & Key Results (OKRs), while managing and supporting the existing team lead. I lead the Data chapter, comprising 20-30 data and analytics engineers, and manage the Learning & Development budget to introduce new training programs, facilitate participation in major events and meetups, and drive initiatives to upskill the team. I partner with peers and key stakeholders across different product lines to ensure high standards of delivery, quality, and performance, while addressing potential obstacles and implementing process improvements. I ensure constant information sharing between the Data Platform team and other teams across verticals. Additionally, I develop and maintain best practices for data governance, quality, security, and privacy in line with industry standards and regulatory requirements. I enable scalable, secure, and cost-effective data solutions to support data-driven decision-making across the organization, staying updated on the latest industry trends, technologies, and best practices to ensure the company remains competitive and innovative. I foster a culture of continuous employee growth, ensuring high retention and engagement, while prioritizing the team’s needs, identifying potential risks, and actively participating in the hiring process. Throughout, I provide leadership, mentorship, and career development opportunities for team members."
      ]
    },
    {
      "summary": "ORFIUM is a technology company providing software, data, and licensing solutions for the entertainment industry’s most complex problems around music, content and rights management.",
      "name": "Orfium",
      "location": "Athens/Greece",
      "position": "Associate Director of Engineering",
      "startDate": "2023-05-01",
      "endDate": "2024-12-01",
      "highlights": [
        "As a Director of Engineering, I successfully transformed the R&D division in Sri Lanka into a highly efficient internal outsourcing software house, driving strategic initiatives that align with corporate goals. I prepared executive reports for the Board of Directors (BoD), providing critical insights into R&D investments and performance, supported by data from the GetDX survey. My leadership was instrumental in executing a comprehensive technical due diligence, setting up domain-specific OKRs, and spearheading initiatives based on survey feedback. I orchestrated a seamless migration from a traditional data center to AWS, ensuring minimal disruption and enhanced scalability. Other than that, I was part of the security ISO audits took place in the company. In my role, I led and managed engineering teams across diverse global locations, fostering collaboration and productivity through well-defined engineering strategies. I oversaw product development, ensuring smooth and effective collaboration between cross-country teams while managing engineering resources and budgets tailored to the unique needs of distributed teams. My approach included adopting cutting-edge technologies to optimize processes for remote teamwork, ensuring timely and high-quality project delivery despite the inherent challenges of working with distributed teams. I addressed technical challenges with innovative solutions, always considering the impact on remote teams, and nurtured team growth and performance, supporting professional development across various locations. By staying updated with industry trends, I continuously adapted practices to enhance collaboration among distributed teams, ensuring effective communication with stakeholders and incorporating diverse insights from all team members."
      ]
    },
    {
      "summary": "Mind-Alliance elevates law firm success with custom software that merges data and expertise. Our solutions enhance client relations and boost revenue by combining legal insight with AI to advance knowledge management, marketing, and research.",
      "name": "Mind-Alliance",
      "location": "Athens/Greece",
      "position": "Fractional CTO",
      "startDate": "2023-09-01",
      "endDate": "2024-05-15",
      "highlights": [
        "As a part-time CTO, I excelled in effective communication with stakeholders, ensuring that insights from diverse teams were acknowledged and integrated into our strategies. I played a pivotal role in setting the technology vision, particularly in the areas of Large Language Models (LLMs) and generative AI, driving innovation within the organization. I was responsible for the AWS infrastructure setup, implementing cost reduction metrics that optimized our cloud usage. My leadership extended to overseeing feature delivery, where I ensured that our technical department met its goals and exceeded customer expectations. I represented the technical department of Mind-Alliance in customer meetings, conducting thorough analyses of customer requirements to align our engineering efforts with their needs. Additionally, I was responsible for department staffing, making critical decisions regarding the underlying technologies for front-end, back-end, and quality assurance teams. I also prioritized the growth and development of our engineering team, overseeing internal training programs and selecting the appropriate tools, such as Pluralsight, to enhance our team's skills and capabilities. My decisions and strategies contributed significantly to the department's success, fostering a culture of continuous learning and technical excellence."
      ]
    },
    {
      "summary": "ORFIUM is a technology company providing software, data, and licensing solutions for the entertainment industry’s most complex problems around music, content and rights management.",
      "name": "Orfium",
      "location": "Athens/Greece",
      "position": "Engineering Manager",
      "startDate": "2022-05-15",
      "endDate": "2023-05-01",
      "highlights": [
        "As an Engineering Manager, I played a key role in driving architecture design and facilitating technical discussions within the engineering team, ensuring alignment with our strategic goals. I effectively communicated and collaborated with the business, product, and operations departments, ensuring that our technical efforts were closely integrated with organizational objectives. Working closely with the leadership of the engineering department and other tech leads, I contributed to realizing our vision of establishing Orfium as the leading technology provider in the music industry. I ensured the successful delivery of end products by leading code reviews, assuring code quality, and promoting best practices, all while motivating and coaching team members to foster a positive and productive team environment. I led by example, actively contributing to the codebase whenever possible, demonstrating commitment to both the team's success and the quality of our products. In addition to technical leadership, I managed and proposed budgets for various projects, including staffing, hiring, training, and certifications, ensuring that resources were allocated efficiently to support team growth and project success. I was also responsible for the professional development of engineers, holding regular one-on-one sessions to provide guidance, support, and feedback, thereby nurturing individual growth and contributing to the overall success of the engineering department."
      ]
    },
    {
      "summary": "",
      "name": "NOKIA",
      "location": "Athens/Greece",
      "position": "BBA SDAN - SW Engineer",
      "startDate": "2018-07-18",
      "endDate": "2022-05-15",
      "highlights": []
    },
    {
      "summary": "",
      "name": "NOKIA",
      "location": "Athens/Greece",
      "position": "OSS Systems - SW Engineer",
      "startDate": "2014-05-02",
      "endDate": "2018-07-17",
      "highlights": []
    }
  ],
  "languages": [
    {
      "language": "Greek",
      "fluency": "Native speaker"
    },
    {
      "language": "English",
      "fluency": "Proficient - C2"
    }
  ],
  "interests": [
    {
      "name": "Basketball"
    },
    {
      "name": "Hyrox"
    },
    {
      "name": "TV Shows"
    },
    {
      "name": "Books"
    },
    {
      "name": "Sneakers"
    }
  ],
  "projects": [
    {
      "name": "[git push -f leadership]",
      "description": "“git push -f leadership” is a space where I share what I’ve learned about leadership, career growth, and navigating the challenges of the tech world. Inspired by Git commands, the name reflects the reality of leadership: sometimes it requires careful planning, and other times, it calls for a:\n\ngit push -f\n\n—a decisive push to move forward when things are stuck.\n",
      "highlights": [],
      "keywords": [],
      "startDate": "2024-12",
      "endDate": "2030",
      "url": "https://gitpushleadership.substack.com/",
      "roles": []
    },
    {
      "name": "[LeadDev Athens Meetup]",
      "description": " This group is dedicated to bringing together engineering leaders, managers, and software developers to share best practices in engineering leadership, discuss strategies for promoting leadership accountability, and network with like-minded individuals in the tech industry. Whether you're interested in learning about software engineering practices, exploring new ideas in engineering management, or simply connecting with others in the field, this is the place for you. Join us for inspiring discussions, valuable insights, and networking opportunities. Let's grow and learn together!",
      "highlights": [],
      "keywords": [],
      "startDate": "2025-04",
      "endDate": "2026-06",
      "url": "https://www.meetup.com/athens-new-technology-meetup-group/",
      "roles": []
    },
    {
      "name": "[Leadership Conversations in Tech]",
      "description": "Our goal is to bring together software engineering professionals passionate about mastering the art of leadership. Whether you’re an aspiring tech lead, an engineering manager, or a developer looking to grow into leadership roles, this group is for those eager to explore the challenges and opportunities in engineering management.\n\nAt our events, we dive into topics like building high-performing teams, scaling systems, mastering communication, and driving innovation. Through engaging discussions, workshops, and speaker sessions, you’ll connect with like-minded peers, share insights, and gain practical tools to grow as a tech leader. Together, we’re shaping the future of engineering leadership!",
      "highlights": [],
      "keywords": [],
      "startDate": "2024-12",
      "endDate": "2025-12",
      "url": "https://www.meetup.com/leadership-conversations-in-tech/",
      "roles": []
    }
  ],
  "volunteer": [
    {
      "organization": "[Open-conf]",
      "position": "Technical Committee",
      "url": "https://rb.gy/ri2ei",
      "startDate": "2022",
      "endDate": "2023",
      "summary": "I was part of Open-confs technical Committee. A technological initiative to reverse the brain drain. I worked in reviewing the technical speeches as well as contacting well famous speakers like gitHub co-Founder Scott Chanon",
      "highlights": []
    }
  ]
}