Jelle Overmars
About Jelle Overmars
Jelle Overmars is the Director of Software Engineering R&D at Backbase, where he has worked since 2020. He previously held various leadership roles at BESTSELLER and has a strong background in software engineering and team management.
Work at Backbase
Jelle Overmars has been serving as the Director of Software Engineering R&D at Backbase since 2020. In this role, he operates in a hybrid work environment based in Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands. Overmars has played a significant role in enhancing the R&D department's operations by introducing the BRAVE framework, which focuses on improving transparency and predictability in value delivery while allowing teams to maintain their autonomy. His leadership has contributed to the growth and standardization of processes within the department.
Experience at BESTSELLER
Prior to his current position, Jelle Overmars worked at BESTSELLER in various roles from 2015 to 2020. He started as Head of Development, where he led initiatives for mobile apps from 2018 to 2020 in Lisbon, Portugal. Before that, he served as Software Engineering Manager and Head of Development in the Amsterdam Area, Netherlands. During his tenure, he built a management team comprising 30 engineering managers and 6 value stream engineering directors, significantly impacting the engineering organization.
Educational Background
Jelle Overmars has a solid educational foundation in Information Technology. He studied at Eindhoven University of Technology from 2005 to 2007, where he achieved a degree in Information Technology. Earlier, he obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Information Technology from Fontys University of Applied Sciences, studying from 1999 to 2003. This academic background has provided him with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in his engineering and leadership roles.
Engineering Leadership and Growth
In his role at Backbase, Jelle Overmars has significantly expanded the engineering organization within the R&D department. He has overseen the growth of the team from 240 to over 470 engineers, distributed across 84 cross-functional development teams. His focus on standardizing workflows has emphasized the importance of balancing team performance, delivery accuracy, and quality, utilizing agile methodologies and various performance metrics.
Previous Roles and Experience
Before joining BESTSELLER, Jelle Overmars worked as a Lead Software Developer at Parade Technologies BV / QUADRIX Software from 2006 to 2012 in the Eindhoven Area, Netherlands. His experience in software development and engineering management has equipped him with a comprehensive understanding of the technology landscape, enabling him to lead teams effectively and drive innovation in his subsequent roles.