Release Manager

The Release Manager will be responsible for ensuring the smooth and controlled deployment across multiple applications for software releases, and updates in a complex IT landscape. This role is critical for maintaining the stability, security, and efficiency of the IT environment while meeting customer needs.

Main Duties

• The primary objectives of the Release Manager are:
•  To oversee the Agile Release Train (ART), ensuring minimal disruptions to operations.
• To coordinate and communicate release schedules and activities with all Value Streams and senior business users.
• To lead a team of technical release analysts and release coordinators with a strong understanding of agile methodologies, cloud computing, and pipeline processes.
• Ensure immediate environment challenges are resolved along with a strategic view of resolution plans.
• Provide implementation coordination support for Platform, Networks, Security, Modern workplace and DBA.
• To ensure correct governance and sign off has been applied to all releases, TRB, CAB, business and when required emergency CAB.
• To implement and maintain release management best practices to ensure a controlled and efficient release process.
• Strategically planning toward the goal of fully automated release processes through all environments and into production.
• Working with QA and Tech to build a set of robust standards for management of environments.
• Planning and coordinating the releases, ensuring no scheduling conflicts and sufficient resource allocation, including support.
• Collaborating with various internal stakeholders and customers to understand their needs and priorities.
• Managing and maintaining relationships with third-party vendors and service providers related to releases.
• Prepare and manage the release management budget.
• Manage risks and resolve issues that affect release scope, schedule, and quality.
• Reporting on the status and success of software releases to senior management.
• Implementing a continuous improvement mindset and consistency across BTG release management.
• Working with business change functions to ensure effective communication to our business areas.
• The Release Manager is expected to work in a dynamic and fast-paced environment. This may include on-call duties and the need to work outside of regular business hours to support regular and sometimes critical releases.

This is not a full definition of the role but covers the main aspects and drivers for success.

Experience Required:

Desirable:

• Strong understanding of Agile methodologies, cloud computing, and pipeline processes – specifically sAfe and Cloud technology.
• Experience in planning and executing software releases in a complex IT environment.
• Experience of Guidewire tech and release process.
• Experience of CI/CD.
• Service Now, Jira, Confluence and Azure Dev Ops or equivalent tools.
• Risk and budget management.

Essential:

• Experience in release management or related roles.
• Able to work with structured frameworks, methodologies, and best practices.
• An ability to learn from, and adapt to, a changing technical environment.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and in a team.
• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Technical competence and aptitude to learn new things quickly.
• Excellent organisational skills.
•  Demonstrable analytical skills.
• Significant and proven creative problem-solving skills.

Interview Process

This will be a one stage process and will consist of a 60-minute compentency based interview.

Salary, Benefits, and Work-Life Balance

We do not have a set salary for this position, as it will be dependent on the successful candidate’s experience. We are happy to see CVs from all candidates who meet the requirements and will be happy to discuss the remuneration package.

At Admiral, we are proud to be a diverse business where we put our people and customers first. We have great benefits to ensure employees have a great work-life balance; it's one of the reasons we’re consistently voted one of the Sunday Times Best Big Companies to work for in the UK. We want you to have an element of freedom to define a working lifestyle that supports this, so accommodate flexible hours wherever possible.

All colleagues will receive 33 days holiday (including banks holidays) when they join us, and this will increase with length of service, up to a maximum of 38 days (including banks holidays). You also have the option to buy or sell up to five days of annual leave in addition to your allocation.

For Hybrid workers (within a 50-mile radius of our Cardiff HQ) there is an expectation to work from the office twice a month.  For remote workers (outside of a 50-mile radius of our Cardiff HQ) there is an expectation to attend the office a handful of times a year when required (i.e big meetings, workshops etc).

You can also view some of our other key benefits here.

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