Sr Release Manager

Gurgaon/Bangalore

We are seeking a strategic and experienced Senior Release Manager to lead and oversee a team of Release Managers. The ideal candidate will be responsible for defining release management strategies, ensuring best practices are followed, and coordinating complex release activities across multiple projects and teams. This role requires robust leadership, DevOps knowledge, and a collaborative approach to facilitate seamless software deployments organization-wide

What You'll Be DOING
What will your essential responsibilities include?

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Release Managers to ensure high performance, continuous improvement, and professional growth.
• Develop and lead the execution of a comprehensive release strategy aligned with organizational goals, digital transformation initiatives, and operational efficiencies.
• Establish best practices, governance frameworks, and standards for release processes that promote agility, quality, and compliance.
• Work closely with cross-functional teams, including product management, development, QA, and operations, to facilitate smooth release processes.
• Promote and facilitate the adoption of DevOps best practices, automation tools, and CI/CD pipelines within the release processes to improve efficiency
• Act as the primary point of contact for senior management and stakeholders regarding release activities, risks, and issues.
• Define vendor scope of work, service level agreements (SLAs), and key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Manage the vendor contracts, renewals, and service agreements to optimize vendor contributions and cost-effectiveness
• Identify potential release risks, develop mitigation strategies, and ensure issues are proactively addressed.
• Ensure all release activities are documented, compliant with standards, and auditable.
• Foster collaboration between development, operations, QA, and business teams to ensure smooth release cycles.
• Conduct post-release reviews to assess the success of releases and gather feedback for future improvements.
• Participate in the CAB meetings to discuss the release schedules with the team and find roadblocks, if any.
• Develop and implement mentorship programs, coaching sessions, and knowledge-sharing initiatives to elevate team capabilities.

You will report to Test and Release COE Lead

What You Will BRING
We're looking for someone who has these abilities and skills:

Required Skills And Abilities

• Bachelor's degree in information technology, or a related field
• Extensive experience leading release management teams in a DevOps environment.
• Robust leadership, mentoring, and team management skills.
• Deep understanding of DevOps practices, CI/CD tools, and automation (e.g., Jenkins, GitLab, Azure DevOps).
• Proven track record managing complex release schedules across multiple projects.
• Knowledge of cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and infrastructure as code (IaC) is advantageous.
• Relevant certifications such as ITIL, PMP, or DevOps certifications are preferred.
• Skilled in organizational change management, promoting strategic initiatives, and driving adoption of best practices
• Knowledge of financial management principles, including budgeting, forecasting, contract negotiation and cost control.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and interpersonal skills.

Who WE Are
AXA XL, the P&C and specialty risk division of AXA, is known for solving complex risks. For mid-sized companies, multinationals and even some inspirational individuals we don't just provide re/insurance, we reinvent it.

How? By combining a comprehensive and efficient capital platform, data-driven insights, leading technology, and the best talent in an agile and inclusive workspace, empowered to deliver top client service across all our lines of business − property, casualty, professional, financial lines and specialty.

With an innovative and flexible approach to risk solutions, we partner with those who move the world forward.

Learn more at

What We OFFER
Inclusion
AXA XL is committed to equal employment opportunity and will consider applicants regardless of gender, sexual orientation, age, ethnicity and origins, marital status, religion, disability, or any other protected characteristic. At AXA XL, we know that an inclusive culture and enables business growth and is critical to our success. That's why we have made a strategic commitment to attract, develop, advance and retain the most inclusive workforce possible, and create a culture where everyone can bring their full selves to work and reach their highest potential.
It's about helping one another — and our business — to move forward and succeed.

• Five Business Resource Groups focused on gender, LGBTQ+, ethnicity and origins, disability and inclusion with 20 Chapters around the globe.
• Robust support for Flexible Working Arrangements
• Enhanced family-friendly leave benefits
• Named to the Diversity Best Practices Index
• Signatory to the UK Women in Finance Charter

Learn more at AXA XL is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Total Rewards
AXA XL's Reward program is designed to take care of what matters most to you, covering the full picture of your health, wellbeing, lifestyle and financial security. It provides competitive compensation and personalized, inclusive benefits that evolve as you do.

We're committed to rewarding your contribution for the long term, so you can be your best self today and look forward to the future with confidence.

Sustainability
At AXA XL, Sustainability is integral to our business strategy. In an ever-changing world, AXA XL protects what matters most for our clients and communities. We know that sustainability is at the root of a more resilient future. Our Sustainability strategy, called "Roots of resilience", focuses on protecting natural ecosystems, addressing climate change, and embedding sustainable practices across our operations.

Our Pillars

• Valuing nature: How we impact nature affects how nature impacts us. Resilient ecosystems - the foundation of a sustainable planet and society - are essential to our future. We're committed to protecting and restoring nature - from mangrove forests to the bees in our backyard - by increasing biodiversity awareness and inspiring clients and colleagues to put nature at the heart of their plans.
• Addressing climate change: The effects of a changing climate are far-reaching and significant. Unpredictable weather, increasing temperatures, and rising sea levels cause both social inequalities and environmental disruption. We're building a net zero strategy, developing insurance products and services, and mobilizing to advance thought leadership and investment in societal-led solutions.
• Integrating ESG: All companies have a role to play in building a more resilient future. Incorporating ESG considerations into our internal processes and practices builds resilience from the roots of our business. We're training our colleagues, engaging our external partners, and evolving our sustainability governance and reporting.
• AXA Hearts in Action: We have established volunteering and charitable giving programs to help colleagues support causes that matter most to them, known as AXA XL's "Hearts in Action" programs. These include our Matching Gifts program, Volunteering Leave, and our annual volunteering day - the Global Day of Giving.

For more information, please see