Change and Release Manager

The Role

The Change and Release Manager is responsible for the standardisation, management, governance and daily operational activities associated with the Release and Change Management processes.  The Change and Release Manager will co-ordinate and manage releases for critical services into the production environment.  They will define an appropriate Release Strategy for all critical services, implementing Release Management processes, controls, and tools.  Operationally they will work with Service Owners, Business Partners, Test Managers and Release Co-ordinators to define the contents of releases and establish the correct cadence based on the release calendar.  They will chair and facilitate regular Go/No Go meetings for each of the critical services. As part of a global organisation there is a 24 hour a day operation, therefore a need to be flexible and able to work out of hours as an escalation point.  International travel may be required.

Principle Accountabilities

The Change and Release Manager is accountable for the following:

• Own and chair Release Go/No Go meetings and manage forward schedule of release.
• Own and chair the Critical Services (Enterprise) CAB and manage forward schedule of change.
• Ensure releases and changes for critical services are reviewed, assessed, and evaluated by all relevant parties.
• Ensure releases and changes for critical services deliver business benefit, minimise risk and disruption, meet all relevant global and local IT standards and are communicated effectively.
• Manage, develop, and improve the Change and Release Management policies, processes, and standards for Global IT.
• Manage the risk profile associated with changes and releases to critical services, ensuring they are service ready, manageable, and operable, with any possible risks clearly articulated, accepted and managed at the appropriate level.
• Build and maintain relationships at all levels across the broader Global IT organisation and 3rd party suppliers to ensure effective delivery of change into the critical services production environment.
• Work with the Service Introduction Managers to ensure planning, scheduling, and successful deployment of releases and changes to the production environment in a controlled and systematic way.
• Any other reasonable duties aligned to role.

Skills and Experience Required

Essential

• Extensive experience working with multiple suppliers introducing new services or major upgrades.
• Previous Change and Release Management experience
• Project Management experience
• Application Lifecycle Management and Test Management knowledge
• Commercial acumen
• Excellent communication skills – both written and oral.
• Proven knowledge and experience of tools, technologies, and methods in Change and Release Management
• Confident in managing key relationships with internal IT teams, business stakeholders and suppliers.
• Engaging, articulate and able to influence across Global IT and business stakeholders
• Certified Service Management practitioner to at least ITIL Foundation level or equivalent

Desirable

• ITIL qualified
• Educated to degree level, ideally in Information Technology, Engineering Business, Economics or equivalent
• Experience with ServiceNow

What We Offer

In return for playing your part in building our future, you will receive a comprehensive compensation package with salary, bonus scheme and further benefits as well inspiring places to work and collaborate with purpose. Here at Imperial we will give you the opportunity to grow and learn, innovate at pace and be a part of our purpose to forge a path to a healthier future for moments of relaxation and pleasure for our consumers.

Everyone Belongs

Everyone belongs in Imperial. We are proud of being a truly inclusive organisation. We encourage and welcome applications from people of all ages, genders, ethnicities, nationalities, disabilities, sexual orientation, religions or beliefs and of neuro divergence. We give fair and equal consideration to all our applicants. Please contact us at recruitment@impbrands.com to let us know if we can provide support in helping you complete an application and/or attend an interview.

About Us

We're a truly international company, fourth largest in our industry and operating across 120 markets. An inclusive, innovative global FMCG business supported by 25,000 employees. As we embrace a new era of growth, we are transforming. Our ways of working and culture are driven by a challenger mindset, constantly questioning the status quo where people can bring their best selves to work. Our agility and collaboration are driving our ambitions, innovation and success all supported by our award-winning development programmes that creates exciting and rewarding career opportunities for all.  Encouraging inclusion at local levels and supporting a developing and robust diversity agenda globally, we’re fully committed to creating and maintaining an environment that celebrates and respects difference.

As a matter of policy, Imperial Tobacco or its subsidiaries never requests or requires payment as part of any recruitment process.