IT Change and Release Manager
Location: Reading or Havant
Initial contract length: 6 months Inside IR35
Rate: £500 pay rate
Start Date: ASAP
This role supports a large, diverse energy company involved in the production, storage, distribution, and supply of gas, and the generation, transmission, distribution, and supply of electricity and other energy services to over 9 million customers. The company is undergoing a significant IT transformation programme over the next 5+ years, aiming to harness data and analytics as a strategic capability.
Main Purpose of the Job:
* Minimize business risk by effectively managing IT Change.
* Plan, schedule, and control the build, test, and deployment of releases to deliver business value while protecting service integrity.
* Own and be accountable for all aspects of the Change and Release Management processes, including development, governance, compliance, performance, reporting, and continual improvement.
* Ensure the process aligns with documented requirements, targets, SLAs, and OLAs.
* Work with other process owners to integrate Change and Release Management into the overall Service Management System.
Key Accountabilities
* Develop and maintain IT Change Management and Release Management strategies to minimize unplanned service disruption.
* Ensure the risks associated with IT Change are understood, articulated, and communicated across IT, third parties, and business areas.
* Provide visibility of planned Change activity to stakeholders and manage Change Freezes when necessary.
* Reduce Change risk by grouping related Changes and managing their deployment via a defined Release Management process.
* Ensure proper planning, design, build, configuration, and testing for all Release packages.
* Ensure compliance with all aspects of the Change and Release Management process.
* Define, document, maintain, and manage the process in line with ITIL guidelines and ISO 20000 requirements.
* Regularly review and report on process performance using Critical Success Factors (CSFs), Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), and targets.
* Ensure effective communication between Change Management, IT, Service Assurance, and other stakeholders.
* Conduct regular reviews of the process with key stakeholders and practitioners to identify and document opportunities for improvement.
* Maintain a process risk register and ensure all associated risks are managed.
* Comply with corporate, statutory, and regulatory requirements associated with the process.
Education
* Degree in a related field or at least 5 years of relevant experience.
* ITIL Practitioner level qualification or equivalent.
Experience
* Minimum of 5 years’ relevant experience.
* Demonstrable understanding of IT Change Management and Release Management processes, acquired through similar roles.
Business Knowledge
* Thorough knowledge of the energy sector.
* Understanding of how IT Change Management, Release Management, and Service Management support business service delivery.
Functional and Technical Skills:
* Minimum of 5 years’ technical or functional experience.
* Knowledge of ISO 20000 standard and Service Management processes.
* Strong organizational skills.
* Fluent communicator with experience at all organizational levels.
* Able to articulate points of view and present reasoned cases.
* Self-motivated with strong personal effectiveness and independent workload management.
* Strong leadership and negotiation skills.
* Excellent verbal, written, and interactive communication skills.
* Strong analytical and reporting skills.
* Good relationship-building skills.
* Adept at using multiple problem-solving methodologies.
* Able to identify and implement appropriate workarounds.
* Experience resolving complex problems involving multiple technologies or business areas.
* Continual review of process improvement opportunities.
* Accountable for an entire technical or functional area.
* Responsible for scheduling and managing all IT Change Management and Release Management activities.
* Authority to suspend project activity in cases of non-compliance.