Release Manager at CloudFactory

DESCRIPTION

CloudFactory a global leader in combining people and technology to provide a cloud workforce solution for machine learning and core business data processing. is scaling up and growing fast, with $78 million in venture capital investment and offices on four continents. We’re looking for talented people to join us on our mission as we earn, learn, and serve our way to becoming leaders worth following.

As we continue to scale we are seeking an experienced Release Manager who will be responsible for defining and driving the Software Release Processes and supporting activities such as Resource Planning & Release Calendar. You will champion the toolset and all associated ways of working.

The successful candidates will work within the Product Operations function, partner with Product, Engineering, Technical Authoring & IT and work in collaboration with key business stakeholders. You will be accountable for the seamless release of software (for production and/or experimentation) with minimal disruption using a pragmatic, flexible set of processes that include clear and concise communication plans. You will identify key risks, dependencies and resources to facilitate current and future planning. You will also be confident enough to manage up and provide reporting, as well as meeting updates to Senior Management at VP and CxO level.

Performance Objectives:

• Assess and report on the state of CloudFactory’s existing Release Activities. During the first four weeks, work with members of the Product, Engineering and Enterprise IT to understand and report on how the end-to-end Release Processes are being met by the business and received by the customers (internal and external). This report will include a ‘first impressions’ analysis of the areas of concern (if any), identification of gaps, recommendations for improvement - both ways of working and toolset used.
• Define and deliver the go forward Release Process. CloudFactory embraces multiple methods to deliver great experiences to its Clients, Core and Cloudworkers and as such will need a flexible set of processes to cater for a variety of scenarios, from Hotfixes through to major System Upgrades including tracking and reporting. Within two months of starting, the Release Manager will have proposed a set of solutions (ways of working, toolsets, KPIs, retrospectives) to address our Release Management needs.
• Define and deliver the go forward Resource Planning toolset and frameworks. As with many organisations, CloudFactory relies on a predictable, forward looking schedule of deliveries that takes into account key resources, manages risks and allows for scenario planning. Within six weeks you will have published and be rolling out the first iteration of our Resource Planning toolkit.

REQUIREMENTS

• Degree level in Computer Science or related field
• 4+ years of previous Release and/or Technical Project management experience
• 8-10 years of experience in information systems operations environment in systems analysis or development
• Formal training in project management practices preferred
• Advanced knowledge of software development lifecycle
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate cross-functional work teams toward task completion
• Demonstrated effective leadership and analytical skills
• Advanced written and verbal communication skills are a must