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Release Manager

Please Note: The application deadline for this job has now passed.

Job Introduction

A leader in Motor, Home, Travel and Health Insurance; Saga offers an environment where we will do the best thing for you to develop your skills and develop your career.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Release Manager to join our Saga Services IT department.

You will be integrated within Saga Services Limited (SSL) IT and change delivery unit whilst holding the primary responsibility for the releases to all the platforms within the insurance systems. The role involves out of hours work for system releases and advising the COO on critical go/no go decisions and is vital to maintaining the strong operations working relationships with IT and the development teams.  

In this role, you’ll work collaboratively with your line manager, and other members of the Saga Services Limited (SSL), SID (Guidewire) and Group IT teams involved in testing and release solutions being implemented. The role requires you to oversee and manage release builds and deployments for multiple work stream test environments and production. The role will also include oversight in general as well as being the reference for best practices.

And in return, you can look forward to all of the responsibility and involvement of an integral role, providing you with a rewarding and fast paced career with an excellent benefits package including life assurance, pension, high street and online discounts, and concessions for holidays and travel.

If this sounds like a role for you then keep reading...

Role Responsibility

  • Oversee and have responsibility for all releases made to the SSL Insurance platforms
  • Ongoing review and development of the test framework and responsibility for influencing and initiating test framework continual improvement
  • Ensure the automated regression pack is maintained regularly
  • Prioritize the work load for QA Tech Leads, ensuring NFT and SIT testing is carried out
  • Represent release management as required in programme meetings and governance framework
  • Responsibility for ensuring all development tasks meet quality criteria through test planning, test execution, quality assurance and issue tracking
  • Work with IT Leads to understand impacts of branches and code merges, whilst managing branches across multiple developments
  • Recommend, implement and utilize automation tools used to build, integrate, and deploy software releases to various platforms
  • Coordinate release content and effort based on the backlog, pending service requests, third party applications, or system updates
  • Communicate all key project plans, commitments, and changes including requirements, QA plans, schedule, and scope changes
  • Manage relationships and coordinate work between different teams
  • Produce Deployment and Implementation Plans
  • Communicate release details and schedules to the Business as required
  • Negotiate, plan and manage all release activities
  • Manage risks and resolves issues that affect release scope, schedule and quality
  • Measure and monitor progress to ensure application releases are delivered on time
  • Maintains the release schedule for all core services and ensure alignment across key partners and vendors
  • Maintains a release repository and manages key information such as build and release procedures, dependencies
  • Oversee test strategy, and encourage best practice across the SID programme
  • Support and lead the QA/Business Test Manager and the QA Tech leads as a line manager
  • Represent QA testing at a senior management level
  • Manage build branches and deploy code to multiple test environments, including production and DR systems
  • Create/circulate method statements that contain release items to the business

The Ideal Candidate

Capability, Knowledge and Experience:

  • Experience with Release coordination/Management
  • Ability to work professionally with colleagues and management at all levels
  • The ability to lead and work as part of a team performing a complex technical function
  • Analytical with the ability to interpret detailed and complex technical instructions
  • Ability to negotiate and influence at a senior management level
  • Ability to work under pressure to tight deadlines
  • Good product and systems knowledge
  • Ability to make assessments on priorities according to business impact, needs and drivers

Education and qualifications:

  • Graduate level calibre with QA/Test Management experience in multiple delivery methods preferable

The Individual:

  • Ability to lead and manage individuals across multiple test areas
  • Good time management, planning, organisational and negotiating skills
  • Excellent motivational, verbal and written communication skills and can adapt style to communicate to different individuals
  • Must be flexible, independent and self-motivated
  • Confident and able to keep calm during stressful situations
  • Able to work autonomously and within a team environment
  • Develop and maintain good professional working relationships across multiple business levels
  • Task focused approach to work
  • Able to work under pressure, whilst remaining calm to achieve performance targets
  • Confident, assertive and able to influence decision-making
  • Able to ensure consistent motivation throughout the team
  • Innovative, with a desire for continual self and team development
  • Excellent communication and management skills
  • Strong planning, reporting and organisation skills
  • Confident in making risk assessment decisions in line with business objectives  
  • Excellent understanding of business objectives and systems

Package Description

The standard benefits when you join Saga include:

  • Option to purchase a further 5 days annual leave per year
  • Free private medical insurance after 1 years service
  • Pension
  • AXA Be Supported
  • Apples Nursery (Folkestone only and on a waiting list basis)
  • Free fruit 
  • Give as you earn
  • Free eye tests
  • Honeymoon benefit
  • Sharebuy
  • Salary finance
  • Discounts on Saga holidays and insurance products
  • A range of reductions and offers from leading retailers, travel groups and entertainment companies
  • Long service awards

About the Company

When you join Saga you will see that we are committed to treating all employees fairly and to offering equal opportunities in all aspects of employment and advancement. 

We value diversity not just because it is the right thing to do, but because diverse teams perform better. Creating a culture in which everyone feels welcome and offering equal opportunities in all aspects of employment and advancement is incredibly important to us. Fair consideration is given to applications from all applicants, including those with disabilities. If you need support at any point with your application please let us know as we will be happy to help.

Learn more about the Saga business by watching our Saga plc results for the financial year 2018/2019

To all recruitment agencies: Saga does not accept agency CVs unless specifically engaged on the role by the HR Recruitment Team. Please do not forward CVs to our recruiters, employees or any other company location. Saga is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited CVs.

 

Saga Group

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