About the Directorate
At IT&D, we collaborate to shape the University of the future by designing innovative ways of working, enhancing productivity, minimizing complexity, promoting innovation, and delivering actionable insights to drive continuous improvement. Through embracing a digital future, we work in partnership with academic and Professional Services colleagues to provide digital services that support the University in achieving its strategic objectives in teaching and research both nationally and internationally.
About the Department
We specialize in developing, procuring, configuring, and optimizing enterprise-level software and services to solve unique challenges and support critical university functions. Our efforts enable the University to fulfill its strategic goals. We prioritize resilient, available, and secure systems and data, working closely with teams within IT&D and across the University to deliver top-quality products and services.
About the Team
The Quality team ensures that every release is delivered safely and to the highest standard, following strict governance protocols. Our team oversees the full release and test management lifecycle—from requirement validation to delivery—enabling consistent, high-quality outputs across projects.
About the Role
The Senior Release Manager, reporting to the Head of Quality, will play a pivotal role in leading and advocating for best practices and driving improvements in the efficiency and effectiveness of the release management function.
Key Responsibilities:
- Manage the release schedule and roadmap using Jira.
- Implement and uphold best practice initiatives.
- Collaborate regularly with colleagues and senior managers across IT&D to ensure departmental alignment.
- Oversee the Release Management process, methods, applications, and tools.
- Mentor and support junior team members.
- Communicate complex concepts effectively to diverse audiences.
- Participate in and occasionally lead ceremonies and departmental meetings.
- Identify and mitigate risks associated with releases.
Key Skills & Experience
Essential:
- Degree/professional qualification or equivalent experience in release management.
- Proven success in a release management role.
- Experience working in an Agile environment.
- Exceptional communication abilities.
- Strong organizational and prioritization skills.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and stakeholder relationships simultaneously.
Desirable:
- Experience in a Higher Education or public sector organization.
- ITIL 4 qualifications.
- Familiarity with Jira or similar tools.
- Lean Six Sigma or BPMN certification.
- Understanding of data protection regulations, including GDPR.
To learn more about this exciting opportunity and the benefits we offer, please refer to the Job Description and Candidate Pack, available on our website via the ‘Apply’ button.
Assessment Process
- Submit your CV and a covering letter detailing your suitability via the application portal.
- Interviews are anticipated during the week commencing 04 March.
For informal inquiries about the vacancy, please contact Hannah Dix at [email protected].
Why Join Us?
If you share our ambition and would like to be part of our team, we’d love to hear from you!
Manchester Metropolitan University is committed to fostering an inclusive culture that celebrates diversity and promotes equity. We value diversity in our workforce, recognizing the innovation and perspectives it brings, and warmly welcome applications from all communities, including those from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, disabled individuals, and LGBTQ communities.
We encourage flexible working arrangements, including hybrid setups and tailored schedules, which can be discussed with your manager. Additionally, we offer reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process or within your role to ensure inclusive support.
Our dedication to inclusivity extends to mentorship programs, accessibility resources, and professional development opportunities that empower underrepresented groups.
Manchester Met is proud to hold the status of a Disability Confident Leader. Under this scheme, we aim to guarantee interviews for disabled candidates who meet the essential criteria outlined in the Job Description for this vacancy