Job Description
We are seeking an experienced Release Management Lead (Director / Head of Level) to oversee a critical transformation programme with one of the UK's leading energy providers. This is a high-impact, senior-level opportunity for a proven release and delivery leader to drive complex change in a dynamic, fast-paced environment
Key Responsibilities:
* Lead and manage the Release Management function, ensuring effective planning, rehearsals, go/no-go checkpoints, release orchestration, and post-implementation reviews across a large-scale change portfolio.
* Oversee the Future Schedule Planning team, owning the end-to-end integration and dependency planning for all production-bound change.
* Direct the execution of complex, multi-faceted major releases, involving code deployments, data migrations, shared infrastructure changes, and batch schedule reconfigurations to ensure minimal disruption and rapid service restoration.
* Establish and manage rigorous go/no-go criteria, ensuring deliverables meet quality standards and that all releases include robust reversion strategies.
* Govern and maintain controls for the secure and stable release of changes to live production environments.
* Chair and lead governance and operational meetings, providing end-to-end oversight of the change and release lifecycle.
* Build and maintain strong stakeholder relationships across senior leadership, delivery, and operational teams, gaining trust and alignment on release strategy.
* Effectively manage third-party vendors and service providers, utilising formal governance and escalation paths to ensure performance and accountability.
* Shape and communicate a forward-looking release strategy, aligned with evolving business needs such as digital platforms, smart technologies, and cloud-based delivery.
* Develop, implement, and advocate for operational policies, standards, and procedures that underpin the Release Management process.
Requirements:
* Proven experience leading release or change management at Head or Director level in a large, regulated, and complex technology environment.
* Demonstrable experience orchestrating large-scale, cross-functional releases in a hybrid infrastructure (on-premise/cloud).
* Strong stakeholder management skills, including engagement with senior executives and external vendors.
* Deep understanding of release governance, ITIL best practices, and continuous delivery in a complex enterprise setting.
* Excellent planning, communication, and leadership skills, with a collaborative and pragmatic approach.
Start Date: ASAP
Contract Length: 6 Months
Location: Windsor (Hybrid, 2-3 days per month onsite)
Day Rate: Competitive, depending on experience
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