Valentin Topolovec

Technical Product Owner / Project Manager / Frontend Engineer
Zagreb, HR.

About

Highly accomplished Technical Product Owner and Project Manager with over 10 years in web/software delivery, including 3+ years in formal project leadership. Leverages a strong frontend engineering background (React/Next.js) to translate complex business goals into clear, developer-ready requirements and drive successful product delivery. Proven ability to manage technical risks, optimize Agile processes, and foster effective cross-functional communication to achieve impactful outcomes.

Work

Kickstage
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Project Manager (Hybrid Technical Role)

Zagreb, Croatia

Summary

Led cross-functional teams in delivering multiple client products, focusing on scope definition, roadmap planning, and sprint execution to achieve successful project outcomes.

Highlights

Orchestrated end-to-end delivery for multiple client products, defining scope, planning roadmaps, and executing sprints with cross-functional teams to ensure timely and high-quality releases.

Optimized product backlogs by prioritizing features based on business value, technical feasibility, and risk assessment, resulting in streamlined development cycles and improved resource allocation.

Translated complex stakeholder needs into precise user stories and technical requirements with clear acceptance criteria, significantly minimizing clarification overhead for engineering teams.

Facilitated all Agile ceremonies, including sprint planning, backlog refinement, stand-ups, reviews, and retrospectives, ensuring smooth project flow and successful, coordinated product releases.

Proactively identified and transparently communicated delivery risks, including integration constraints, dependencies, and architectural concerns, enabling early mitigation and preventing late-stage sprint surprises.

Maintained comprehensive and up-to-date project documentation in Jira/Confluence, including specifications, decision logs, and delivery notes, improving team alignment and knowledge transfer.

Kickstage
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Frontend Developer

Zagreb, Croatia

Summary

Developed and maintained production web applications using React and Next.js, collaborating with backend engineers and designers to deliver scalable and high-performing solutions.

Highlights

Engineered and maintained robust production web applications using React and Next.js, collaborating closely with backend engineers and designers to deliver seamless user experiences.

Enhanced application performance and scalability by implementing advanced SEO strategies, integrating analytics, and developing reusable UI patterns, resulting in improved user engagement and search rankings.

Supported critical system integrations and data flows (APIs, SFTP) and actively contributed to streamlined release and deployment cycles, ensuring operational efficiency.

Social Wizard
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Frontend Developer

Croatia, Croatia

Summary

Developed websites and web applications for multiple clients, focusing on WordPress delivery, SEO optimization, and UX improvements.

Highlights

Developed and deployed engaging websites and web applications for diverse clients, specializing in efficient WordPress solutions.

Optimized website performance through SEO enhancements and contributed to significant UX improvements for mobile applications, boosting user satisfaction and engagement.

House of Code
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Web Developer

Zagreb, Croatia

Summary

Contributed to the continuous development of Crozilla.com, delivering key frontend features, optimizing SEO, and implementing digital advertising integrations.

Highlights

Spearheaded the continuous development of Crozilla.com, a major real estate portal, delivering key frontend features and improvements that enhanced user experience.

Collaborated on feature planning and coordination, alongside conducting comprehensive onsite SEO analysis and optimization to increase organic traffic and search visibility.

Integrated and optimized email templates and digital advertising solutions, expanding user reach and supporting marketing initiatives.

Volunteer

Dobrovoljno vatrogasno društvo Ivanja Rijeka
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Volunteer Firefighter

Ivanja Rijeka, Croatia

Summary

Actively contributed to community safety and service as a volunteer firefighter, demonstrating teamwork and responsibility.

Highlights

Provided critical community service and emergency response as an active volunteer firefighter since 2007, fostering strong teamwork and accountability.

Education

Zagreb University of Applied Sciences (Tehničko veleučilište u Zagrebu)
Zagreb, Croatia

Bachelor's degree

Information Technology

Courses

Program engineering and databases

Communication systems and networks

Database administration

IT security

Application development

Network administration

Tehnička škola Ruđera Boškovića
Zagreb, Croatia

High School Diploma

Computer Technician

Languages

Croatian
English
German

Skills

Project & Product Management

Backlog Ownership, Prioritization, Roadmap Shaping, Acceptance Criteria, Requirements Engineering, User Stories, Technical Requirements, Agile Delivery, Scrum, Kanban, SAFe, Sprint Planning, Release Coordination, Stakeholder Communication, Risk & Dependency Management, Documentation, Jira, Confluence, Miro.

Frontend Development

React, Next.js, TypeScript, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, SCSS, Tailwind, Web Architecture, UI Patterns, SEO Optimization, Performance Improvements.

Backend & Database Technologies

Node.js, MongoDB, SQL, MySQL, Linux, APIs, Integrations, SFTP Flows, Analytics, CRM.

Version Control

Git, GitHub, GitLab.

Projects

Mavoo (Germany)

Summary

Real estate platform for agents.

myMünet (Jakob Müller Group)

Summary

Modular platform for real-time analytics and operational workflows across thousands of weaving machines.