Test Release Manager

The Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT) Oxford’s purpose is to have a global impact by fundamentally reimagining the way science and technology translate into end-to-end solutions and delivering these solutions in programmes and platforms that respond to humanity’s most challenging problems. 

EIT Oxford will ensure scientific discoveries and pioneering science are turned into products for the benefit of society that can have high-impact worldwide and, over time, be commercialised to ensure long-term sustainability. 

Led by a faculty of world experts, EIT Oxford seeks to solve the world’s most challenging problems across four high-risk, high-reward, high-impact humane endeavours: health and medical science; food security and sustainable agriculture; climate change and clean energy; and government innovation in an era of artificial intelligence. 

EIT Oxford is investing significant resources in a new world-class research and development facility in the Oxford Science Park. Set for completion in 2027, the state-of-the-art campus includes 300,000 sq ft of research laboratories, an oncology and preventative care clinic, and educational and meeting spaces. Together, they create the perfect environment for EIT Oxford experts to take ground-breaking ideas from research to broad implementation. The new facility will further EIT’s current partnership with the University of Oxford and become the new home for Ellison Scholars. 

EIT Oxford is committed to cultivating a community where excellence is achieved through collaboration, trust, innovation and tenacity. We foster an environment where everyone’s experience and expertise are valued. We are curious and resilient in our efforts to drive long-term, sustainable innovation to meet humanity’s most enduring challenges. 

EIT is seeking a skilled and experienced Test and Release Manager to enhance and expand the SaaS test and release processes for the Pathogen team. This team is dedicated to developing and delivering innovative, high-quality products that combine cutting-edge technology, user-centric design, and strong engineering principles. In this role, you will be instrumental in ensuring the smooth deployment of new products and features by orchestrating testing efforts, managing dependencies, and overseeing seamless releases. Your expertise will be key to maintaining efficiency, reliability, and excellence in our software delivery process. 

Key Responsibilities: 

Planning and Coordination 

• Work closely with engineering, QA, and product team to develop release schedules and robust test strategies and release processes. 
• Align release plans with business goals, ensuring that features and updates meet organisational priorities and liaising between technical teams, stakeholders, and leadership to provide updates on release progress. 
• Maintain clear documentation and communication channels for all release activities. 

Change Management 

• Manage and document changes to software components being released, ensuring that software releases meet quality standards, regulatory requirements, and organisational policies. 
• Coordinate across teams to identify dependencies and mitigate risks ahead of and during the release process. 
• Ensure compliance with regulatory or internal change management policies, including experience with with standards surrounding software as a medical device, for example ISO 13485 and ISO 62304. 

Test Automation 

• Maintain best practices for release management, such as CI/CD (Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment) pipelines for test automation and test records. 
• Streamline and automate release processes to improve efficiency and reduce manual errors. 

Risk Management 

• Identify and address risks associated with releasing software into production. 
• Develop contingency plans, including rollback strategies in case of failures. 

Team Development and Management 

• Identify and fill talent gaps to build a balanced team of SDETs, QAs, etc. 
• Create opportunities for growth by providing training, career development, and skill-building initiatives.   Advocate for an open and supportive work environment. 

Essential Skills, Qualifications & Experience: 

• Proven experience in release management, test automation or relevant experience, with at least 2 years in a leadership role. 
• Strong understanding of the software development lifecycle and working to agile methodologies. 
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, and the ability to adapt your method of communication to reach different audiences. 
• Experience of leading testing and managing releases across a programme of technical and business change for SaaS products. 
• Proficiency in using collaboration and project management tools such as Jira, Confluence, or equivalent platforms to manage workflows, documentation, and team communication. 
• Familiarity with various testing approaches, tools, & best practices. 
• Demonstrated success in navigating the challenges of a start-up or scale-up environment, including managing rapid growth, shifting priorities, and evolving business needs. 
• Ability to navigate ambiguity, manage conflict, and solve complex problems effectively. 

Desirable Skills, Qualifications & Experience: 

• Worked with systems running on Kubernetes in a Cloud environment. 

We offer the following salary and benefits: 

• Salary: £75,000 - £85,000 + travel allowance + bonus
• Enhanced holiday pay  
• Pension  
• Life Assurance 
• Income Protection 
• Private Medical Insurance  
• Hospital Cash Plan 
• Therapy Services 
• Perk Box 
• Electric Car Scheme 

Why work for EIT: 

At the Ellison Institute, we believe a collaborative, inclusive team is key to our success. We are building a supportive environment where creative risks are encouraged, and everyone feels heard. Valuing emotional intelligence, empathy, respect, and resilience, we encourage people to be curious and to have a shared commitment to excellence. Join us and make an impact! 

Terms of Appointment: 

• You must have the right to work permanently in the UK with a willingness to travel as necessary. 
• You will live in, or within easy commuting distance of, Oxford. 
• During peak periods, some longer hours may be required and some working across multiple time zones due to the global nature of the programme.