Job Description

Test & Release Manager – cloud enterprise application platform
Oxford (OX4)
Permanent
From £72,000 to £84,000 per annum + £6500 travel allowance + 10% bonus.
PCD320017

Location: Oxford, UK (Hybrid working available after initial onboarding)

Reporting to: Head of Application Integration Services

About the Organisation (World-Leading Research Institute).
Join a revolutionary Global Research and Technology Institute based in Oxford, committed to tackling humanity's most enduring challenges across Health, Food Security, Climate Change, and AI & Robotics.

The Role: Test & Release Manager
This is a critical leadership role responsible for ensuring the quality, stability, and controlled deployment of our core cloud enterprise application platform applications (ERP, HCM, SCM) and all related technical integrations.

As the Test & Release Manager, you will be the guardian of our production environment, responsible for defining and executing comprehensive test strategies and managing the entire release lifecycle. You will work across global project teams, technical leads, and vendors to ensure all functional and technical changes are thoroughly validated and deployed with minimal disruption, upholding strict quality and governance standards.

Essential Knowledge, Skills and Experience
5–10 years of proven experience in Test and Release Management, specifically within cloud enterprise application platform (ERP, HCM, SCM) environments.

Deep, hands-on experience managing the complexities of enterprise database platform quarterly updates, P2T refreshes, and multi-environment landscapes.

Strong understanding of SDLC, Agile, and DevOps principles.

Demonstrable experience with test management and automation tools (e.g., enterprise test automation platform, test automation framework, delivery collaboration platform, CI/CD platform, or test management platform).

Exceptional communication, stakeholder management, and analytical problem-solving skills, used to working in global delivery settings.

Desirable Knowledge & Attributes
Certification in ITIL or relevant enterprise database platform Cloud modules.

Experience with CI/CD pipelines and automation frameworks for ERP testing.

Familiarity with public cloud platform (public cloud platform) and integrations (cloud integration service).

Key Responsibilities
1. Test Management Strategy
Develop and implement comprehensive test strategies, plans, and schedules for cloud enterprise application platform releases, including the management of enterprise database platform's quarterly updates and P2T refreshes.

Oversee all test phases: unit, system, integration, regression, UAT, and performance testing.

Manage the creation and maintenance of automated test scripts using tools like enterprise test automation platform, test automation framework, or similar.

Coordinate UAT sessions with business users and manage defects through closure using tools like delivery collaboration platform or CI/CD platform.

2. Release Governance & Execution.
Own the release calendar and manage the end-to-end release process, ensuring synchronization across multiple global environments.

Define and enforce release governance and quality standards, including version control, rollback procedures, and cutover planning.

Collaborate with enterprise database platform Support and internal teams for essential patch management and environment maintenance.

Conduct release readiness reviews, ensuring compliance with ITIL, SOX, and internal audit requirements.

3. Quality Leadership
Establish and monitor KPIs for testing and release quality, driving continuous improvement in test automation and deployment processes.

Lead and mentor internal and vendor testing resources, ensuring smooth handoffs and clear communication across a multi-vendor, global delivery model.