Systems Release Manager

Company Description 

As a key member of the Enterprise Project Management Office (EPMO), the Release Management Sr. Analyst is responsible for overseeing and managing the full lifecycle of software releases, ensuring updates and changes are deployed smoothly, on time, and with minimal disruption. This role also contributes to delivery assurance by ensuring project data integrity, conducting audits, and driving continuous improvement initiatives to enhance release performance. Additionally, the Release Manager Analyst will support Junior Project Management activities, assisting project managers with planning, tracking, and execution of critical tasks.

This role is divided into three key areas of focus:

• Release Management (70%): Ensuring timely, high-quality delivery of software and application updates through effective management of the release lifecycle.
• Delivery Assurance (10%): Performing audits, validating project performance, and ensuring compliance with organizational standards and IT controls.
• Junior Project Management (20%): Supporting project managers in coordinating schedules, managing dependencies, and assisting with administrative and operational project tasks.

The Release Manager Analyst will collaborate with Development, QA, Product, and Operations teams, as well as project managers, to ensure successful releases, delivery assurance, and seamless project execution.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Release Management Responsibilities (70%)

• Release Coordination and Management:
  • Oversee the complete lifecycle of software releases, from planning and development to deployment and post-release activities.
  • Coordinate cross-functional teams (Development, QA, Operations, Product, etc.) to ensure alignment with release schedules and client requirements.
  • Develop and maintain release strategies to ensure clarity, achievability, and alignment with organizational priorities.
• Risk and Issue Management:
  • Identify, assess, and mitigate risks affecting release scope, schedule, or quality.
  • Document root causes and implement corrective measures to prevent recurrence.
• Testing Oversight and Sign-Off:
  • Create and oversee comprehensive UAT plans in collaboration with QA and Operations teams.
  • Ensure testing requirements are met and timelines adhered to before production deployment.
• Release Readiness and Quality Assurance:
  • Conduct readiness reviews, ensuring compliance with technical and operational standards.
  • Lead release activities, ensuring all stakeholders are informed and prepared.
• Communication and Documentation:
  • Provide detailed release updates, progress reports, and schedules to stakeholders.
  • Maintain release documentation, including release notes, client communications, and post-deployment reports.
• Continuous Improvement:
  • Participate in post-release evaluations, document lessons learned, and drive process improvements for future releases.

Delivery Assurance Responsibilities (10%)

• Audits and Compliance:
  • Conduct periodic audits to ensure compliance with IT controls, change management policies, and organizational standards.
  • Assess project and release performance against predefined KPIs and organizational objectives.
• Data Integrity and Performance Monitoring:
  • Perform data integrity checks to ensure consistency and accuracy of project data.
  • Analyze release performance metrics (e.g., success rates, deployment time) and recommend improvements.
• Post-Release Review:
  • Participate in evaluations to assess the success and quality of releases.
  • Capture lessons learned to enhance future delivery assurance practices.

Junior Project Management Responsibilities (20%)

• Project Coordination:
  • Support project managers in maintaining and updating project schedules, timelines, and plans.
  • Assist in identifying and tracking dependencies, risks, and resource needs across projects.
• Administrative Support:
  • Manage project documentation, including meeting notes, risk registers, and action item logs.
  • Prepare dashboards, reports, and presentations for project status updates and executive communication.
• Stakeholder Engagement:
  • Assist with stakeholder communications, including updates on milestones, risks, and progress.
  • Facilitate meetings and follow-ups to ensure accountability and alignment.
• Risk and Issue Management:
  • Help monitor and escalate risks and issues, ensuring timely resolution.
  • Assist in documenting mitigation strategies and contingency plans.
• Continuous Improvement:
  • Participate in retrospectives to gather insights and implement process enhancements.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Proven expertise in managing complex software releases and deployment cycles.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify bottlenecks and implement solutions.
• Excellent communication skills for diverse audiences, both technical and non-technical.
• Adept at coordinating cross-functional teams and managing dependencies.
• Proficiency in Agile (Scrum) and traditional project management methodologies (PMBOK).
• Technical acumen in SDLC processes, CI/CD pipelines, and change management.

KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE, AND/OR EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

• Education:
  • Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Project Management, or related fields preferred; equivalent experience considered.
• Experience:
  • 5+ years in Release Management, including managing complex, high-impact releases.
  • 3+ years in Delivery Assurance or similar roles.
  • 2+ years supporting project management activities, with experience in risk management and scheduling.
  • Experience working in both Agile and Waterfall environments.

PREFERRED SKILLS

• Proficiency in Jira, Confluence, and ServiceNow for project tracking and release management.
• Familiarity with CI/CD tools and automation frameworks.
• Strong knowledge of data integrity practices and performance metrics.
• Advanced skills in reporting tools and project visualization dashboards.

Location: Houston, TX or Texas, USA 

Disclaimer:

Managers retain the right to modify the responsibilities and requirements outlined in this job description at any time without prior notice.