Agile Release Manager (VP)

Purpose of Job

• Facilitate efficient and effective software delivery from inception to go-live for the Front Office technology stack and interpret strategic goals to define, publicise and advise on the best way Agile methodology could be leveraged to meet them
• Work with the Product Owners and Development Leads to ensure a clear and well-planned pipeline of deliveries and that level of risk is managed and mitigated
• Instigate and manage relevant scrums and enable developers to deliver on their individual responsibilities
• Ensure that automated Testing, CI/CD and DevSecOps processes are understood and implemented as well as incrementally improved
• Ensure that sufficient non-prod environments are available and manage data restores and data masking where required
• Establish and promote effective environment sharing
• Ensure the creation of meaningful MI to allow for transparency

Background

• The Front office software development team requires a versatile Scrum Master with extensive expertise in Agile methodologies.
• The role requires an experienced individual that is comfortable to work in close partnership with a variety of front office stakeholders, globally. Scrum Master is expected to be very well versed in, and keep up to date with, a multitude of new technologies.
• The role requires a thorough understanding of development and architecture best practice coupled with a good working knowledge of IT General Controls.

Facts / Scale

• This role is a key delivery implementer for the Front Office in EMEA. Working with the Front Office Product Owners, it is responsible for delivering sound, well designed and technically advanced agile solutions to our business users.
• The role requires managing scrums that design and develop new software, integrate with vendor systems, organise on-call rota support and follow and expand the established SDLC processes.
• The role is responsible for delivering IT Strategy, assisting in revenue generating and regulatory initiatives and ensuring that SMBC IT systems provide competitive advantage.
• It actively endorses and promotes Diversity and Inclusion opportunities across the board.

Accountabilities & Responsibilities

• Responsible for effective and efficient running of Software Development Scrums consisting of Developers, Testers, Business Analysts and other stakeholders
• Own, update and publish Release calendars including patches, upgrades, DR tests and similar.
• Responsible for anticipative smooth non-prod environment provisioning, including relevant data pre-requisites and upstream/downstream dependencies
• Ensure Release Candidates’ integrity, transparent scope management and timely code lockdowns
• Create release plans, schedules, and guidelines, and ensure releases meet requirements and budgets
• Ensure that everyone on the team understands goals, scope, estimates and burndown charts of each iteration
• Maintain product backlog and agree prioritisation with senior stakeholders
• Identify and remove obstacles so that the team members can focus on their immediate tasks
• Keep stakeholders up to date via direct communications, tailored reports and JIRA dashboards
• Escalate any serious challenges to scope, timelines and budget to senior management

Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Qualifications

• Core Agile methodology, Scrums, Sprints, Burndown tracking and frequent high-quality software deployments
• Strong numerical and financial skills with the ability to interpret financial information and able to design and use of financial models
• Exposure to Front Office trading systems is required
• Experience and understanding of a Front office Banking Environment, Product range and associated opportunities and risks
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• Demonstrated experience managing, end to end, design, definition and delivery of technical solutions in-line with strategic goals
• Ability to handle communications at all levels from across the whole business, including Front Office.