Calin Drimbau, Product Manager in London, United Kingdom
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Calin Drimbau

Verified Expert  in Product Management

Product Manager

Location
London, United Kingdom
Toptal Member Since
April 20, 2020

Calin is a dynamic product leader with over ten years of powering fast-growing start-ups. He has led the development of new products in the data analytics, legal tech, and healthcare markets, achieving impressive commercial gains. In the B2B SaaS space, he has worked directly with high profile Fortune 500 companies. He leads by example, leveraging confidence and vision to inspire high performing, collaborative teams.

Project Highlights

CreateIQ
Led the development of a legal tech SaaS platform that automates complex legal negotiations for financial markets.
alva Live
Led the design and development of alva Live, a data monitoring and analysis tool trusted by Global 2000 companies.
icMed
Successfully opened up an enterprise market for an eHealth product growing existing revenues by 32%.

Expertise

Work Experience

Interim Head of Product

2021 - 2021
Thought and Function
  • Executed and supported several startups on value proposition design, product discovery, and business planning, including a B2B well-being platform and a B2C lifestyle platform that uses AI to improve users' well-being.
  • Established the right product discovery processes for the agency.
  • Implemented processes and methodologies for lean development.

Product Director

2018 - 2019
Linklaters
  • Led the development of a brand-new product in the legal tech space.
  • Released the product to market after six months of development and landing 10 Fortune 500 clients in the first year.
  • Introduced a robust sales foundation, with a structured sales process, implementing a content marketing strategy and setting up direct client communications channels to better understand their needs and objectives.
  • Invigorated the product development program, responding swiftly to market feedback to strengthen trust in the product.

Chief Product Officer

2015 - 2018
alva Reputation Intelligence
  • Managed in-house and off-shore development teams in the creation and taking to market of two new products.
  • Conducted market research, built the product roadmap, and led the road to market strategy.
  • Built a SaaS proposition in the data analytics space following user interviews and feedback with FTSE 100 clients.
  • Achieved annual revenues of £3.5 million from an overall investment of £2 million.
  • Acted as a pivotal member of the executive team. Played an essential role in the support of key strategic projects.
  • Managed financial and operational requirements of alva’s Series A fundraising while covering the chief financial officer role, including extensive financial modeling for investments.

Product Manager

2013 - 2015
alva
  • Drove the product development function in a dynamic, prolific start-up environment, with a focus on instilling vision and automation of processes.
  • Transitioned the business from 100% analysis to 60% SaaS, and 40% analysis, with a wider client-base.
  • Increased operational margins from 35% to 65% via process automation.
  • Introduced and set up a client services department to better serve clients and grew the product team from a team of two to a team of 12.

Chief Product Officer

2011 - 2013
syonic
  • Grew the existing revenue by 32% via creation of a new line of enterprise products which were sold in a new market.
  • Implemented a strategic and operational framework, enabling structured, and efficient leadership.
  • Established as a trusted advisor to the leadership team, influencing key business decisions.

Product Manager

2009 - 2011
syonic
  • Managed an experienced team of developers, designers, and testers. Capitalized on every opportunity to gain experience.
  • Afforded additional responsibilities for product marketing, key account management, and business development due to aptitude.
  • Implemented an agile framework, establishing new processes.

CreateIQ

https://www.linklaters.com/en/about-us/nakhoda

Led the development of a legal tech SaaS platform that automates complex legal negotiations for financial markets.

CreateIQ is a SaaS product used by the biggest financial institutions in the world to reduce time and cost in negotiating complex legal documentation. We released the product to market on time and within budget, despite a tight schedule and having to navigate a complex stakeholder environment.

alva Live

https://www.alva-group.com/alva-live-media-monitoring-software/

Led the design and development of alva Live, a data monitoring and analysis tool trusted by Global 2000 companies.

alva Live is a B2B SaaS product that allows companies to monitor and analyze real-time content from millions of global sources. Building the product involved extensive conversations with the market, complex technical problem-solving, and managing a team of onsite and remote developers, designers, and product professionals.

icMed

Successfully opened up an enterprise market for an eHealth product growing existing revenues by 32%.

icMed is an eHealth solution in Central and Eastern Europe. Initially only used by general practitioners. Following a market opportunity, I led the development of an extended proposition for clinics and hospitals, growing revenues by 32% in the first year.
2010 - 2014

Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Management

Open University Business School - London, England

2005 - 2009

Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science

Politehnica University of Timisoara - Timisoara, Romania

DECEMBER 2012 - PRESENT

Professional Diploma in Management

Open University Business School

DECEMBER 2011 - PRESENT

Professional Certificate in Management

Open University Business School

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