Job Description: Release & Deployment Lead, Fit4Future Asset
Level of Experience: Several years of demonstrable experience in a similar role

Alliander:
The Netherlands runs on energy. And by 2050, it will run entirely on renewable energy. It is up to the grid companies and all our partners to help make this energy transition possible.

Alliander committed to digitalization early on to facilitate the energy transition, with teams that develop, implement, and manage digital solutions. These include apps for field technicians and municipalities, as well as advanced algorithms for investment optimization and for preventing bottlenecks in the power grid. However, for part of our information provision, we are still reliant on outdated systems with complex interfaces and data that is difficult to access. That is why we will be replacing and upgrading our core IT systems over the next five years.

Fit4Future:
Alliander has launched a program called Fit4Future to prepare its IT infrastructure for the future. Fit4Future consists of five separate, complementary programs;

• ERP
• Asset
• IAM
• Data
• ISU

Asset Program To support the energy transition, we are implementing a new ecosystem of Enterprise Asset Management (EAM), Asset Performance Management (APM), and Field Service systems. The main challenge lies in seamlessly integrating these new platforms with our existing core systems.

Job Description:
Release & Deployment Lead
As the Release & Deployment Lead at Alliander, you are responsible for the change and release process. You act as the “control tower” that coordinates the various releases of the Asset program. You serve as the single point of contact (SPOC) for all release and deployment management issues and ensure stability through rigorous planning and flawless execution of releases.

Responsibilities

• System Landscape:You are responsible for mapping the system landscape and creating a clear overview of how its components interact. This insight forms the basis for secure transitions.
• Roadmap & Deployment:You are responsible for developing and coordinating go-live roadmaps. You oversee software deployments to the acceptance and production environments, particularly during cross-chain releases.
• Chain Management & Availability:You monitor and report on the system availability of the OTAP environments within the system chain for the benefit of projects. You ensure optimal availability across all domains.
• Impact Analysis & Scenario Planning:You identify dependencies across chains. You assess the impact of system updates and projects, and develop scenarios in response to schedule changes to ensure project continuity.
• Project Management: You guide project teams throughout the entire process in coordinating time slots and actions. During deployments, you monitor and coordinate progress and provide direct support to project teams in the event of disruptions.
• Contingency plans: You are responsible for planning and coordinating contingency testing to ensure system continuity in the event of unforeseen issues during a release.
• Decision-Making & Leadership:You will chair the critical go/no-go meetings. Based on your understanding of the risks and the current status, you will advise program management on the progress of the release.

Critical Success Factors

This role is suitable for someone who:

• Is able to independently bring structure to a complex and changing environment;
• Actively seeks out missing information without waiting for instructions;
• Quickly understand the interdependencies between projects, teams, releases, and environments;
• Is able to develop comprehensive plans when the necessary information is scattered across various sources;
• Effectively operates in a program environment where processes are not always fully defined or followed;
• Acting pragmatically without losing sight of the risks;
• At the senior level, you can collaborate with project managers, vendors, product teams, architects, and program management.

Job Requirements
You have strong communication skills in both Dutch and English. You are a team player but are also able to take independent responsibility for your work. In addition, you can work well under time pressure and have a proactive approach to independently resolving issues, while maintaining a focus on quality and continuity.

Proven experience:

• HBO or WO level of work and thinking;
• Extensive experience (at least 7 years) in a role as a release and deployment lead within complex IT environments;
• Demonstrable experience managing releases in a supply chain environment (preferably with SAP, IBM Maximo, and other systems);
• Technical and functional detailing of release (go-live) playbooks (minute-by-minute schedules for complex implementations);
• Developing, monitoring, and adjusting comprehensive plans;
• Chairing tactical and operational meetings;
• Functional management of teams;
• Knowledge of software development processes.

Experience with (pre):

• Experience with JIRA;
• Project Management;
• Experience in the energy sector or with utility companies;
• Basic knowledge of testing processes.

Soft Skills (Competencies)

• Decisiveness:You are able to take charge and make decisions under high pressure.
• Systemic thinking: You quickly recognize the interdependencies between different systems and teams.
• Strong planning skills: You are an expert at creating detailed schedules and monitoring progress.
• Communication skills:You are a natural connector (SPOC) who communicates clearly with both technical staff and program and project management.
• Analytical skills: You can assess risks and develop scenarios in response to changes in the schedule.