Start: ASAP
Duration: until 01/31/2028, with an option to extend
Rate: max €120, including MSP fee, depending on education and work experience
Self-employed: Yes
Location: Hybrid, but physically present at the Alliander office in Arnhem at least twice a week

Release Manager Fit4Future Asset
The Netherlands runs on energy. And by 2050, it will run entirely on renewable energy. It is up to the network 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 digitalization products. Think of apps for technicians and municipalities and advanced algorithms for investment optimization and to prevent bottlenecks in the energy grid. However, for part of our information provision, we are still dependent on outdated systems with complex interfaces and data that is difficult to access. That is why we will be replacing and upgrading core IT systems over the next five years.

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

• ERP
• Asset
• IAM
• Data

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 the seamless integration of these new platforms with our existing core systems.

Job Description:
Release Manager
As a Release Manager at Alliander, you are the owner of the change and release process. You act as the “control tower” that oversees and manages the various releases of the Asset program. You are the single point of contact (SPOC) for all release management issues and ensure stability through tight 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 will guide project teams throughout the entire process, helping them coordinate time slots and tasks. During deployments, you will 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.

Job Requirements
You have strong communication skills in both Dutch and English. You are a team player but are also capable of taking independent responsibility for your work. Furthermore, you can work well under pressure and have a proactive attitude toward independently resolving issues, while maintaining a focus on quality and continuity.

Demonstrable experience:

• Associate's or bachelor's degree level
• Extensive experience (at least 7 years) in a role as a release manager within complex IT environments.
• Proven experience in managing releases in a multi-vendor environment (preferably with SAP and IBM Maximo 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
• Good knowledge of Dutch (B1 level)

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.