Release Manager

Zaelab is looking for a Release Manager to own and drive the software release process for a key client engagement.

In this role, you’ll bring structure, visibility, and predictability to how software moves into production. You’ll own the release process from planning and readiness through go-live and post-release stabilization, working across engineering, QA, Dev Ops, project teams, and client stakeholders to make sure everyone is aligned and releases happen smoothly.

This is not a hands‑on development role. We’re looking for someone who understands the technical side of software delivery but thrives in the orchestration of it — connecting teams, anticipating risks, keeping dependencies moving, and making sure there is a clear plan when things don’t go as expected.

• Own the release calendar — Build and manage the release schedule across the engagement, coordinating dependencies, freeze windows, environments, and competing work streams.
• Drive release readiness — Establish clear entry and exit criteria, facilitate go/no-go discussions, and ensure the right approvals are in place across engineering, QA, security, and client teams.
• Lead cutover planning — Create detailed, actionable cutover plans with clear owners, timing, dependencies, and checkpoints. Coordinate dry runs and rehearsals for higher‑risk releases.
• Ensure rollback readiness — Make sure releases have documented and tested rollback plans, with clear triggers and decision ownership established before deployment.
• Keep stakeholders aligned — Own release communications before, during, and after deployment, adapting the level of detail for technical teams, leadership, and client stakeholders.
• Identify and manage risk — Surface potential blockers early, whether they’re related to testing, environments, dependencies, or timing, and bring forward clear mitigation options.
• Improve how we release — Track release performance and trends, lead retrospectives, and continuously improve the processes that help teams ship reliably.
• Partner with Dev Ops — Work closely with Dev Ops teams around deployment automation, environments, branching, and versioning. You won’t be expected to build pipelines, but you should understand how they work and how they impact release planning.

• 4+ years of experience in release management, delivery management, technical program management, or a similar role within software delivery.
• Hands‑on experience managing production releases end to end, including planning, readiness, go/no-go, cutover, and rollback.
• Strong understanding of the SDLC, CI/CD concepts, deployment environments, and branching/versioning strategies.
• Experience coordinating across engineering, QA, Dev Ops, project teams, and external or client stakeholders.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to create clear runbooks, release updates, and executive‑level summaries.
• A structured, calm approach to decision‑making, particularly during high‑pressure releases or production issues.
• Experience working with tools such as Jira, Confluence, release workflows, and delivery dashboards.
• Active use of AI tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, or Copilot to work more effectively — whether creating release documentation, summarizing information, drafting communications, or improving workflows — combined with good judgment around validating AI‑generated output.

• Experience working in eCommerce environments.
• Exposure to CPQ (Configure, Price, Quote) solutions.
• Salesforce experience.
• Service Now experience.
• Experience working in consulting, professional services, or another client‑facing delivery environment.
• ITIL, SAFe Release Train Engineer, PMP, or similar certification.

You create clarity around releases…