Release Manager

BASIC FUNCTION
This role is responsible for developing, maintaining, and managing the ADP CSL operational release strategy to ensure proper organizational awareness, preparation and delivery of changes for ADP CSL solutions and services. Working in partnership with Product Management & Development, this role will champion the needs of clients and prospects to define the approach, implementation and operational requirements, events, and timing necessary to ensure delivery of new solution and service releases to associates, partners and clients. Working across ADP CSL regions and departments, this role will develop, maintain and administer the process for gathering departmental requirements related to the operational rollout. In addition, the role will provide oversight and management of the project tasks and plan that are required to be completed by assigned departmental associates.

With a focus on quality and operational efficiencies, this role assists in managing process improvements; champions the development of tools to improve the delivery of solutions and services; ensures the field is adequately prepared for new solution and service releases; works with aligning with and supporting processes focused on the deployment of new solutions and services to clients & partners.

Essential Responsibilities

• Release Planning & Coordination
• Develop and manage release plans and schedules.
• Coordinate release activities across teams
• Identify dependencies and risks related to releases.
• Change Management
• Ensure all changes go through proper change control processes.
• Evaluate and approve changes to minimize disruption.
• Deployment Execution
• Manage the end-to-end release process.
• Communication & Documentation
• Act as the central point of contact for all release-related information.
• Communicate release status, timelines, and issues to stakeholders.
• Risk Management & Mitigation
• Identify potential release-related risks and issues.
• Develop contingency plans and manage escalations.
• Process Improvement
• Continuously improve release processes and automation strategies.

More in detail

• Develop and maintain effective tools and processes that identify and capture departmental requirements and related responsibilities that are required to ensure successful preparation and delivery of new ADP CSL solutions and services.
• Develop and manage project plans taking into account the scope and content of the releases to ensure high quality and timely delivery of new solutions and services to the ADP CSL organization and clients.
• Identify, track, and monitor progress and completion of project tasks required to be performed by assigned individuals across multiple business groups (Implementation, Service, Client Relationship Management, etc.).
• Continuously improve release processes and automation strategies. Continually assess, improve, and streamline the approach for preparation and delivery of service or solution changes by identifying roadblocks and recommending solutions that reduce the cost of delivery while improving timing and efficiency.
• Act as the liaison between ADP CSL departments and Product regarding operational readiness considerations and requirements.
• Develop and demonstrate exceptional operational knowledge of departmental requirements related to the ongoing deployment and delivery of ADP CSL solutions and services. This includes an understanding of the linkages and dependencies between ADP CSL solutions and other ADP offerings.
• Develop and maintain release schedule in alignment with the ADP CSL Product Roadmap.
• Provide input on opportunities to improve operational effectiveness for ADP CSL departments including implementation, client service, and hosting, as required.
• Willing to support relationship managers / service delivery managers and act as the primary client interface, if required, for global delivery initiatives that involve pilots, pre-release, and/or rollout to the client base in the delivery and/or upgrades of new solutions and services. Activities may include selection of client participants, notification and communication with participants (either through relationship managers / service delivery managers and/or directly), development of client testing agreements and scope, and validation/sign-off requirements.
• Prepare and deliver status updates and presentations (oral or written) for senior management to report on progress, risks, and mitigation strategies related to release activities.

Qualifications
Education:
Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration or other related field and the resultant knowledge and experience from years of operational experience, including years supervising a staff of exempt-level professionals. Advanced degree(s) is a plus

Experience

• 3+ years in Release Management or similar roles managing complex cross team projects
• Proven delivery in operational efficiency with high quality.
• Proven experience developing process flows and identifying process improvements.
• Strong ADP CSL product and service background.
• Collaborative skills with the ability to manage individuals within a matrixed environment.
• Strong communication (verbal and written) and influence skills.
• High level of responsibility, self directed.
• Project Management skills - direction and facilitation of projects.
• Familiarity with Agile workflows and methodologies
• Proficient in office and collaboration tools such as MS Sharepoint, Jira, MS Office & Confluence

Skills
This resource will require excellent presentation skills to facilitate decision-making by senior management after analyzing alternatives available to deliver agreed upon operational and related product initiatives. This resource will need excellent facilitation skills to work with across the various business units groups to drive product requirements and enhancements to delivery. In addition, this resource will routinely exercise judgment and make recommendations for specific courses of action based on trade-offs between business opportunities and risks. This resource will need the skill to manage long-term decisions, bring initiatives to fruition, and measure the return on investment.

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