Senior Release Co-ordinator at Old Mutual

Job Description

The position is that of a Senior Release Co-ordinator in Retail Platform Proposition (RPP).

• Coordination and management of Release Management process activities to agreed SLAs.
• Escalation of risks and issues.
• Supporting Release Management reporting (KPIs and customer SLAs).
• Support in driving Service management best-practice and process standardization.
• Ensuring consistent end-to-end application of the Release Management process across all projects and BAU changes
• Identifying and planning for Release Management process improvement projects.
• Drives implementation of standard execution of the Release Management process.

Specific

• Establishment and consistent application of processes through the correct integration of the tools, resources, platforms, applications and databases.
• Focus on business requirements and business risk management and compliancy.
• Execution and management of specific escalation activities in the Release Management process and providing regular feedback to the global process owner and line management.
• Maintain and improve process effectiveness, efficiency, process performance and process vulnerability.
• Actions to correct any problems or inefficiencies arising during the Release Management process and highlights any issues or ideas of improvement to the Release Management Process Owner.
• Ensure that Release Management KPIs are reported and their targets met.
• Ensure all reporting and data is delivered in a timely manner.
• Executes the Release Management Process for the release.
• Defines and develops packages of related change requests to the level of master configuration data together with system monitoring and management requirements.
• Accepts, validates and approves (on the first entry level) non-standard requests. Verifies release requests for completeness, targets, deadlines, urgency and approves their further processing. Assess the risks and impact of the release request.
• Associates specific build, test and deployment plans and activities.
• Estimate any applicable downtime associated with the release request.
• Submit/coordinate the release request for approval.
• Reviews the operational readiness artefacts.
• Ensure all release artefacts including defect scope are recorded correctly on Jira / Release tracker
• Ensure all stakeholders are kept informed of scope and progress of releases in all environments
• Update relevant SNOW boards used for tracking during RPP Major releases
• Liaise with test teams to ensure tester availability for all RPP releases
• Ensure all scenarios to be tested are received and signed off in lower environments before sharing with testers and technical teams
• Run Daily standups with Test Managers and enabler teams and circulate minutes
• Liaise with platform team/DBA’s/ CICD teams and initiate Action centres when blocker issues are encountered in lower environments ensuring all relevant enablers are included in the AC and stakeholders are informed of investigation progress
• Assist and ensure all relevant information is retrieved for Release Management Audits
• Attend all CAB sessions to present RPP Platform changes and highlight potential co-existence issues with RPP Releases and liaise with relevant teams including SDM’s and IT Change Management to resolve/mitigate risks and escalate where necessary
• Ensure all changes (including emergency, escalated, normal and retro’s) are logged, updated and closed correctly within the required ITCM guidelines/framework and that all required/relevant information is attached to changes.
• Log request for change in all relevant enabler HOO’s as and when needed by test teams
• Schedule scope sessions for all RPP Releases ensuring that all plans/scope/tasks are communicated with all stakeholders/enablers and the relevant support resources are made available to support the release when needed.
• Arrange for onsite resource availability when required for RPP Major releases

Requirements

• Matric and relevant IT Degree or National Diploma.
• 3 - 5 years’ Release management work experience in a large and diverse organization with experience in IT.
• Understanding of risk and control requirements.
• The ability to exercise judgment, multi-task and work with minimal supervision and managing several deliverables at once.
• Diligent and proactive worker, a self-starter and detail oriented.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills coupled with sound interpersonal skills.
• Holistic process knowledge and general management consulting skills.
• Self-starter, able to show initiative and work with little to no guidance.
• Analytical and problem solving skills.
• Strong decision making skills.
• Stakeholder management skills
• Strong Negotiation skills
• Adaptability.
• Information gathering and probing.
• Facilitation skills.
• Ability to assimilate and apply relevant principles.

Key skills

• Broadly skilled in information technology.
• Excellent English communication skills (written and oral), with experience interacting with all levels of management.
• Ability to work independently and take decisions where necessary.
• Successful delivery against commitments and deadlines.
• Promotes and supports standardization and continuous improvement.

Experience/Knowledge Essential

• Minimum 5 years ITIL Operational experience in the Release Management process.
• Understanding of the ITIL best practices.
• Competent with Microsoft Office, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word.
• English language - professional working proficiency.

Skills

• Action Planning, Analytical Thinking, Computer Literacy, Current State Assessment, Data Compilation, Data Interpretations, Data Management, Data Modeling, Digital Literacy, Document Management, Evaluating Information, Legal Practices, Management Reporting, Numerical Aptitude, Oral Communications

Competencies

• Collaborates
• Courage
• Ensures Accountability
• Financial Acumen
• Instills Trust
• Manages Complexity
• Optimizes Work Processes
• Organizational Savvy

Education

• NQF Level 7 - Degree, Advance Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate or equivalent

Closing Date

• 25 November 2025