Head of Release Management / Director

Job Tittle : Head of Release Management / Director Location: London (Hybrid: 5 days in 10)Contract Length: 6 Months (with potential for permanent placement)Daily Rate: £885 (Inside IR35)Contract Type: Temporary Working Pattern: Full Time

Join Us in Transforming Release Management!

Our client, a leading player in the Financial Services sector, is on the lookout for an enthusiastic and dynamic Head of Release Management / Director to spearhead their innovative journey! This is an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact in a brand-new role focused on shaping release and environment management across EMEA.

As the Head of Release Management, you will be at the forefront of defining and executing a strategic vision that enhances the quality and efficiency of release processes. You will be responsible for:

• Strategic Leadership: Developing a multi-year roadmap aligned with business objectives and regulatory standards.
• Governance & Compliance: Establishing frameworks and maintaining audit-ready controls that ensure safe and compliant releases.
• Collaboration: Partnering with Architecture, Engineering, Quality Assurance, and Software Development teams to drive a robust Continuous Delivery (CD) model.
• Team Building: Leading a high-performing team of release managers and coordinators, fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.

What We're Looking For:

• Expertise: Extensive experience in release and environment management within regulated industries, particularly within financial services.
• Technical Acumen: Strong understanding of modern software architecture, CI/CD toolchains, and DevOps principles.
• Regulatory Knowledge: Familiarity with compliance requirements such as DORA, FCA/PRA, and ISO standards.
• Leadership Skills: Proven ability to drive large-scale cultural and technological change across diverse teams.
• Hands-On Experience: Proficiency with tools like Jenkins, Azure DevOps, GitLab, ServiceNow, Terraform, Ansible, and monitoring solutions such as Dynatrace and Splunk.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee the end-to-end release lifecycle to ensure changes are delivered efficiently and securely.
• Define and enforce environment lifecycle policies to ensure stability and compliance.
• Monitor performance through established quality metrics and KPIs.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for auditors and provide evidence of compliance.

Why Join Us?

• Impactful Role: This is a pivotal opportunity to redefine release practises in EMEA, allowing you to leave your mark on the organisation.
• Dynamic Environment: Work in a fast-paced, innovative environment where your ideas and leadership will be valued.
• Collaborative Culture: Join a team that champions collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.

If you are ready to take on this exciting challenge and help shape the future of release management in a top-tier financial institution, we want to hear from you!

Apply Now!

Submit your application today and embark on a transformative journey with us in the world of Financial Services! This is your chance to lead, innovate, and make a difference.

Note: Please be advised that this role requires a commitment to full-time hours and will involve some on-call and out-of-hours support for critical release and environment activities.

We look forward to welcoming you to our team!

Pontoon is an employment consultancy. We put expertise, energy, and enthusiasm into improving everyone's chance of being part of the workplace. We respect and appreciate people of all ethnicities, generations, religious beliefs, sexual orientations, gender identities, and more. We do this by showcasing their talents, skills, and unique experience in an inclusive environment that helps them thrive. If you require reasonable adjustments at any stage, please let us know and we will be happy to support you.