About the Directorate
As part of IT & Digital (IT&D), we play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the University by re-imagining workflows, driving productivity, simplifying systems, fostering innovation, and delivering data-driven insights to support continual improvement. Our focus is on embracing a digital-first approach within a dynamic, evolving university context. By collaborating with both academic and Professional Services teams, we deliver digital services that enable the University to achieve its strategic teaching and research objectives, both nationally and globally.
About the Department
We design, develop, integrate, and optimize enterprise-scale software and services that address the University’s unique challenges and enable mission-critical operations. Our work supports the University’s ambition to achieve its strategic goals. We maintain resilient, secure, and reliable systems and data, collaborating across IT&D and the wider University ecosystem to deliver top-tier solutions and services.
About the Team
The Quality team ensures that every release is executed safely and meets the highest standards, adhering to rigorous governance processes. We manage the entire lifecycle of release and test management, from validating requirements to overseeing releases, ensuring consistent and exceptional quality delivery across projects.
About the Role
The Senior Release Manager will report directly to the Head of Quality and will lead efforts to implement best practices, enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the release management function, and foster continuous improvement within the department.
Key Responsibilities:
- Manage the release schedule and roadmap using tools like Jira.
- Implement and champion best practice initiatives across the release management function.
- Engage regularly with colleagues and senior managers within IT&D, ensuring alignment across departments.
- Oversee the Release Management processes, methodologies, tools, and applications.
- Support and mentor junior team members to develop their skills and capabilities.
- Lead and communicate complex concepts effectively to a variety of audiences.
- Contribute to department ceremonies and occasionally lead meetings.
- Identify and mitigate risks across releases.
Key Skills & Experience
Essential:
- A degree/professional qualification or equivalent experience as a Release Manager.
- Demonstrable experience in release management.
- Familiarity with Agile methodologies.
- Strong communication skills to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders.
- Excellent organizational and prioritization abilities.
- Experience managing multiple projects and stakeholder groups simultaneously.
Desirable:
- Experience within the Higher Education or public sector environment.
- ITIL 4 certification.
- Proficiency with tools like Jira or equivalent platforms.
- Certification in Lean Six Sigma or BPMN methodologies.
- Knowledge of data protection regulations, including GDPR.
If you’re enthusiastic about this opportunity to drive impactful change and would like to learn more about the role and its benefits, please review the full Job Description and Candidate Pack.
Assessment Process
To apply, submit your CV along with a detailed covering letter highlighting your suitability via the application portal.
For informal inquiries regarding the role, please contact Hannah Dix at [email protected].
Please note that we sometimes close vacancies early due to high application volumes, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to ensure consideration.
Why Join Us?
If you aspire to be part of our team and share our ambition, we’d love to hear from you!
At Manchester Metropolitan University, we are committed to fostering an inclusive culture of belonging that embraces equity and celebrates diversity. We value the innovation and varied perspectives that a diverse workforce brings and welcome applications from all local and international communities, including individuals from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, disabled people, and LGBTQ communities.
We support a variety of flexible working arrangements, including hybrid schedules tailored to individual needs—these can be discussed with your manager. If you need reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process or in your role, please let us know, and we’ll ensure appropriate support.
Our inclusivity commitment includes mentorship programs, accessibility resources, and opportunities for professional growth to empower underrepresented groups.
Manchester Met is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader, offering interviews to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria outlined in the attached Job Description.
Join us to be part of an enriching environment driven by collaboration, excellence, and opportunity