About Martin Rusnak
Interim/Fractional CTO & Tech Advisor with over 25 years of experience in software development, infrastructure, and DevSecOps.
Main focus
Industries & Expertise:
Interim engagements:
Internal positions:
More than 21 projects
Feedback from clients who expect results from you. See testimonials and case studies.
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION QUOTES
Customer: Tipico: Martin ist ein sehr zugänglicher Manager, der eine tolle 'Hands-On-Mentalität' hat. Er kommt sehr schnell in die Aktion und wird ebenso schnell wirksam. Martin hat auch eine Stärke im Führen von Menschen. In seiner zugewandten Art kann er begeistern. Zugleich scheut er sich nicht vor konsequentem Handeln, falls dieses erforderlich ist. Mit Martin geht es voran. Seine Haltung ist durch und durch agil und er kann agiles Liefern von der Strategie bis zur Umsetzung denken und leben.
Stefan Willida
2017-2018: Management Consultant of Tipico Technology Services GmbH
Customer: Collier Global Transformation: "I have had the pleasure of working closely with Martin Rusnak across multiple client engagements, and I can confidently say he has been a true lifesaver on more than one occasion.
Martin consistently steps into complex, high pressure environments and brings immediate clarity, stability, and results. Whether acting as an Interim CIO or Interim CTO, he combines strong strategic leadership with a rare ability to roll up his sleeves and execute. He quickly earns the trust of executives, teams, and stakeholders alike, and turns technology from a problem into a genuine business enabler.
For our clients, Martin has repeatedly stabilized critical situations, strengthened delivery, improved structures, and accelerated outcomes and often under challenging timelines. His calm leadership, deep technical expertise, and commercial mindset make him one of the most effective interim leaders I’ve worked with.
I would highly recommend Martin to any organization seeking an exceptional Interim CIO or CTO. He is without doubt one of the best in his field and someone I would bring into any critical engagement without hesitation."
Customer: Areto Payment Processing Service: "Martin as Interim CTO provided successful implementation of PCI DSS Level 1 Compliance within 10 weeks. He created the core team from scratch, helped to setup up security concept in the cloud. Martin has great ability to adjust to new situations. Comes with a good network and perfectly manages external and internal resources."
"Ich habe Martin Rusnak als Interim CTO in einem komplexen Projekt kennengelernt und unsere Zusammenarbeit sehr geschätzt. Er arbeitet immer auf Augenhöhe, ist sympathisch, vertrauensvoll und jederzeit ansprechbar. Besonders beeindruckt hat mich seine Fähigkeit, zwischen verschiedenen Parteien zu vermitteln und pragmatisch Lösungen zu finden. Sein hohes technisches Verständnis und seine Erfahrung sind in der Zusammenarbeit ein großer Gewinn. Ich wünsche ihm weiterhin alles Gute und freue mich, wenn sich unsere Wege in einem zukünftigen Projekt wieder kreuzen."
Customer: Joyn: "I had the pleasure of working closely with Martin as he led Joyn's Partner Engineering Team. I witnessed how he led people, built the team and delivered a great new consumer product for our partners at DBahn! His dedication, professionalism and pragmatic approach made all the difference."
Customer: Temedica: I know Martin for many years but never had the opportunity to collaborate with him until I needed an interim manager. I reached out to him and he was available, which was lucky for me. He took charge of the entire software development department, which consisted of young and demanding individuals both internally and in various nearshore setups.
Michael Maretzke
2020-2022: CTO of Temedica GmbH
Customer: T-Systems MMS: Martin Rusnak hat unsere Teams bei Projekten für die digitale Transformation eines Großkunden mit Focus Cloud Architekturen maßgeblich unterstützt. Die Schwerpunkte seiner Tätigkeit in der Rolle eines Management Consultant Cloud Transformation lagen auf: Consulting im Rahmen von Transformationprojekten für Applikationen in modernen Cloudarchitekturen für Großkunden
René Jakscht
Business Unit Director Agile Operations & Cloud bei T-Systems Multimedia Solutions GmbH
Customer: Tipico: Martin ist ein sehr zugänglicher Manager, der eine tolle 'Hands-On-Mentalität' hat. Er kommt sehr schnell in die Aktion und wird ebenso schnell wirksam. Martin hat auch eine Stärke im Führen von Menschen. In seiner zugewandten Art kann er begeistern. Zugleich scheut er sich nicht vor konsequentem Handeln, falls dieses erforderlich ist. Mit Martin geht es voran. Seine Haltung ist durch und durch agil und er kann agiles Liefern von der Strategie bis zur Umsetzung denken und leben.
Stefan Willida
2017-2018: Management Consultant of Tipico Technology Services GmbH
Customer: Collier Global Transformation: "I have had the pleasure of working closely with Martin Rusnak across multiple client engagements, and I can confidently say he has been a true lifesaver on more than one occasion.
Martin consistently steps into complex, high pressure environments and brings immediate clarity, stability, and results. Whether acting as an Interim CIO or Interim CTO, he combines strong strategic leadership with a rare ability to roll up his sleeves and execute. He quickly earns the trust of executives, teams, and stakeholders alike, and turns technology from a problem into a genuine business enabler.
For our clients, Martin has repeatedly stabilized critical situations, strengthened delivery, improved structures, and accelerated outcomes and often under challenging timelines. His calm leadership, deep technical expertise, and commercial mindset make him one of the most effective interim leaders I’ve worked with.
I would highly recommend Martin to any organization seeking an exceptional Interim CIO or CTO. He is without doubt one of the best in his field and someone I would bring into any critical engagement without hesitation."
2025
Berge & Meer Touristik
PE IT restructuring, ERP modernization, AI strategy implemented
2024
movingimage
Stabilization after leadership vacuum and M&A readiness
2022
Temedica
Regulatory scaling of a digital health platform
2021
T-Systems
Cloud transformation and performance improvements in an enterprise environment
2020
Areto Payment Processing
PCI DSS Level 1 achieved in 10 weeks
Digital Realignment Under Private Equity Pressure
CHALLENGE
As a PE-backed tour operator, Berge & Meer was facing significant transformation pressure. A historically grown and fragmented system landscape, combined with an outdated ERP system, limited forecasting capabilities, reporting quality, and overall IT controllability.
At the same time, there was a lack of transparency in the IT budget, no clear Run/Grow/Transform structure, and insufficient governance for investor-level reporting.
SOLUTION
Introduced a Run/Grow/Transform cost model to establish full IT budget transparency
Defined an ERP modernization roadmap (Microsoft Business Central) aligned with the investment horizon
Rebuilt the data warehouse and analytics architecture on Microsoft Fabric
Developed a 3-year AI-First strategy with prioritized ROI-driven use cases
Implemented board-level reporting and clear IT governance structures
Consolidated vendors and optimized key technology contracts
RESULT
Full IT cost transparency for CFO and investors
ERP migration roadmap approved and launched
Modernized data architecture enabling forecasting and management control
AI strategy defined with measurable ROI projections
IT organization stabilized and aligned with the value creation plan
Leadership transition in turbulent times:
The path to stable IT leadership at movingimage
CHALLENGE
A market‒leading provider of enterprise video management platforms with demanding DAX clients suddenly lost its IT leadership team at short notice.
SOLUTION
Assuming IT leadership and development responsibility as Interim CTO
Stabilizing the team situation and delivering quick wins through top-10 initiatives based on DAX client requirements
Revising the strategy and reorganizing into a product-oriented organization together with the CEO and Head of Product
Reactivating the OKR organization, upskilling employees, and preparing for and conducting 5 security audits per year
Handing over responsibility to a newly established product and engineering leadership team formed from existing employees
RESULT
"I had the pleasure of working with Martin as a team leader, and his strategic vision was invaluable to our company. He combines strong business understanding with a holistic view of technology and helps us focus on what truly matters to achieve our business goals and drive real growth. Martin is an exceptional leader who fosters a collaborative and innovative team environment. His support for individual development and recognition of the team made a noticeable difference and motivated all of us to perform at our best.”
— Alireza Meskin, Technical Leader at movingimage
CHALLENGE
Temedica GmbH, a digital health company, faced the challenge of responding quickly to Series B investments and delivering critical projects with pharmaceutical companies. This included scaling up from 18 to 32 employees in just four months, as well as obtaining Software as a Medical Device (SaMD; ISO 13485) certification.
SOLUTION
Taking on responsibility as Interim Director of Engineering
Scaling the teams from 18 to 32 employees, including forming agile teams to accelerate product development and delivery
Successful development and certification of the SaMD solution
Sustainable improvement in project execution efficiency within the highly regulated health/pharma market
RESULT
“I know Martin for many years already. Never had a chance to really collaborate ‒ but then ... an opportunity showed up when I needed an interim manager. [...] He took care of the whole software development department, filled with young and demanding characters, both internal and in various near shore setups. He kept people motivated, engaged and was looking after their concerns, acting like a great servant leader and evolving into a trusted advisor and coach for many of the wonderful Temedicans in Software Development. Aside from the joy of leading people, Martin supported me in various project activities, took over when needed and assisted teams to deliver their promised outcomes. I can highly recommend Martin if you're looking for a senior manager in interim situations (I couldn't manage to convince him to become a Temedican ...). I would work with Martin again ‒ any time.”
—Michael Maretzke, Temedica
From scale-up to SaMD certification: Temedica sets new standards in health technology
Cloud Transformation for DAX Enterprise Client at T-Systems
PROBLEM
Lack of leadership in the cloud transformation program for a DAX enterprise client at T-Systems.
At the same time, there was a strong need to increase project efficiency and improve financial control.
SOLUTION
Took over leadership responsibility for the cloud transformation team
Stabilized the team and introduced cultural changes to reduce silo thinking
Implemented private cloud solutions on Microsoft Azure
Built nearshore teams in Hungary, Slovakia, and Russia to support cloud projects
Improved budget control, increased efficiency, and reduced costs (20% profit improvement)
Successfully transitioned responsibilities to internal leadership within T-Systems
RESULT
“Martin Rusnak significantly supported our teams in digital transformation projects for a major enterprise client, with a strong focus on cloud architectures. Among the key achievements of his work are the optimization of the managed Azure platform, substantial support in consolidating financial and contractual frameworks, and stabilization of the overall budget through improved forecasting and dashboards. He also increased team motivation across internal and client teams by reducing silo thinking and successfully launching a nearshore location in Hungary.
What stands out is his ability to quickly navigate complex customer, service, and team environments and to act effectively in line with strategic objectives. In particular, the combination of strategic business understanding, deep cloud expertise, experience with agile ways of working such as DevOps, and his cooperative leadership style formed the foundation for the success of our projects.”
– René Jakscht, Director Agile Operations & Cloud / Deutsche Telekom MMS GmbH
Achieving PCI DSS Level 1 Certification for a FinTech Platform in 10 Weeks
CHALLENGE
Areto Payment Processing, a recently acquired FinTech subsidiary of a global healthcare marketplace, urgently required PCI DSS Level 1 certification to enable credit card processing.
This had to be achieved at a time when the IT leadership structure was not yet fully established and the payment platform itself was still technically maturing.
SOLUTION
Took responsibility for the certification process as Fractional CTO
Conducted a full Tech Due Diligence with reporting to C-Level and investors
Stabilized and adapted the payment platform architecture
RESULT
PCI DSS Level 1 certification achieved in just 10 weeks
30% performance improvement at Azure go-live
