IT Release Manager

Job Summary

Voya is seeking a Release Manager to manage the lifecycle of hardware and software modifications, new deployments, and related release activities across multiple application suites and delivery methodologies. This role is responsible for following Voya’s release management process and other core IT service management processes as needed, while partnering closely with business leaders, technology teams, project management, operations, infrastructure, QA, development and supplier resources. The Release Manager will support release planning, stakeholder communication, risk management, approvals, implementation coordination, post‑installation support, and continuous service improvement.

Responsibilities

• Manage the lifecycle of releases for hardware and software modifications and new deployments following release management and applicable IT service management processes.
• Build and maintain release roadmaps to identify scope, timelines, dependencies, and execution plans in collaboration with team members and leadership while minimizing or avoiding risk of collision with other changes or releases.
• Meet monthly or quarterly with business leaders to review priorities and plan for future work.
• Document the full lifecycle of releases in the service management tool, including tollgate activities, stakeholder approvals, project management approvals, and required IT service management process steps.
• Identify risks, manage interdependencies and timing concerns, support milestone adherence, and ensure release integrity can be measured.
• Coordinate with other release managers and application suite managers across large multidisciplinary teams in a matrixed organization to confirm resource availability and, as appropriate, escalates concerns to senior leaders.
• Partner with operations, business analysts, quality assurance, developers, project management, infrastructure, senior business and IT leaders, and supplier resources to support release scope and execution.
• Create release plans and conduct release readiness, milestone, and business go/no‑go reviews with technical teams, project managers, and business stakeholders.
• Develop communication plans, including scope and change control management, and communicate execution plans and impacts to configuration item asset owners affected by the release.
• Communicate and escalated issues related to release plan, scope, schedule, implementation quality, and final release results.
• Provide release metrics, release scorecards, reporting, and escalation updates as appropriate.
• Coordinate execution plans and monitor activities during release implementation, ensuring technical support is available before, during, and after installation.
• Ensure production issues are identified, tracked, and resolved during the post‑installation phase.
• Adhere to SLA agreements and request approval for deviations from SLAs when permitted by process policies and guidelines.
• Participate in post‑implementation reviews, continuous service improvement meetings, CAB meetings, and release advisory meetings.
• Perform other duties and projects as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related field.
• 3–5 years of release management experience or enterprise‑wide project/delivery management experience.
• 10 years of experience in application and hardware implementation.
• Detailed understanding of ITIL Release, Change, and Configuration Management.
• Advanced knowledge of the software development lifecycle.
• Demonstrated effective leadership and critical thinking skills.
• Very strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate and build relationships with various stakeholders in a matrixed environment.
• Proven record of flexibility and ability to adapt to changing priorities.
• Exposure and familiarity with automated testing tools, process management tools, agile delivery tools, and change management.
• Experience with ServiceNow and analytics tools.
• Expert‑level Microsoft Office knowledge, including Excel and PowerPoint.
• Demonstrated ability to problem solve and apply strong critical thinking skills.
• ITIL v3 Foundation certification (preferred).
• Understanding of Voya Change Management and Release Management processes (preferred).
• Copilot/AI prompting experience (preferred).

Competencies

• Release planning and execution.
• Risk, dependency, and change management.
• Stakeholder communication and relationship management.
• Matrixed team coordination.
• Critical thinking and problem solving.
• Adaptability and prioritization.
• Service management process discipline.

Compensation

The base salary range is $79,620 – $132,720 USD, depending on location and qualifications. Additional incentive opportunities based on performance may be provided.

Benefits

• Health, dental, vision and life insurance plans.
• 401(k) savings plan with company match up to 6%.
• Employer paid cash balance retirement plan (4%).
• Tuition reimbursement up to $5,250 per year.
• Paid time off: 20 days paid time off, nine company holidays and a flexible diversity celebration day; 40 hours of paid volunteer time per calendar year.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Voya Financial is an equal‑opportunity employer. Voya Financial provides equal opportunity to qualified individuals regardless of race, color, sex, national origin, citizenship status, religion, age, disability, veteran status, creed, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, or any other status protected by state or local law. Reasonable accommodations are available for qualified individuals with disabilities.