A breath of fresh air on the team - meet Julia

In the Project Direction department, we’re pleased to welcome Julia, an experienced new colleague. In this interview, she shares what she brings to Heidelberg as a “Pfälzer Girl” and what we can look forward to with her on the team:

What is your role here, and what does that mean to you?

I am a Senior Project Director at ottomisu. I like to compare my role to that of a drummer in a band: all the project threads come together with me. I set the pace and see myself as the connecting link between the client, the team, and the stakeholders, who are all working together toward a clear goal.

What does joining ottomisu mean to you?

With the birth of my daughter and our move from Wiesbaden back to my “old” hometown, a new chapter began for me - and with it, the desire for a fresh start in my career. ottomisu offers exactly that: exciting projects and clients from the corporate world, combined with an authentic and charming agency atmosphere.

From Neustadt to Heidelberg: What are you bringing with you from home to your new job, and what are you looking forward to discovering here?

From Neustadt to Heidelberg, I’m bringing a generous dose of "Pfälzer" warmth, conviviality, and joie de vivre. At the same time, I’m really looking forward to rediscovering the Kurpfalz - with its culture, cuisine, and distinctive dialect 😉

What situation in the events industry has had the biggest impact on you, and what did you learn from it?

In ten years in the events industry, I’ve been through a lot, but one moment stands out: Four weeks before an event that had been in the works for a year, the board decided - for geopolitical and corporate policy reasons - that it couldn’t take place on an island in Croatia as planned, but would have to be held in Germany instead.
Within a very short time, the venue, concept, and service providers had to be completely rethought.
What I learned from this: Improvisation and keeping a cool head are the most important superpowers of an event professional - having the courage to let go, rethink things, and work together as a team to find new solutions with clarity and trust.

How can you tell in the early stages whether a project is coming together?

Events are all about people. When there’s good chemistry between the team, clients, and partners, it creates an energy that fosters strong ideas and sound decisions. It just has to feel right.

What do you need to feel good, no matter how stressful things get?

For me, interpersonal relationships are key here as well. No matter how stressful things get, the team has to click. People you can rely on, who stick with you through thick and thin, and who treat each other with respect and appreciation. It’s especially under pressure that you see how important trust, solidarity, and genuine teamwork are.

What topic quickly turns a quick chat by the coffee machine into a deep dive for you?

I’m a self-confessed bon vivant. Whether it’s culinary and cultural highlights, the best restaurant recommendation, a good wine, or a recipe tip, a quick chat by the coffee machine quickly turns into a deep dive. That’s my element.

How will your colleagues know in the future, “Ah, that’s so typical of Julia!”?

I can’t function without my to-do list and I need structure and order. On the outside, I might seem calm even in the midst of chaos, but on the inside, my plan is already well underway.

What are the three topics you absolutely want to tackle or learn about in your first 100 days?

It’s important to me to get to know the team well and really settle in at ottomisu.
I also want to implement my first project at ottomisu from start to finish, getting to know existing standards and processes while also bringing my own experiences and ideas to the table.
Another focus is on immersing myself deeply in AI topics. A lot has happened in this area over the past year, and the potential is huge.

We’re thrilled that Julia clicked with us right away and that she’ll be supporting us with her experience in upcoming projects. You’ll get to know her a little better in the “Newbie ABC” - feel free to check it out!