Release Architect (SC) - Erskine

Currently seeking an SC cleared or clearable Release Architect, to be based in Erskine on a 8 month contract to be confirmed by the client.

DUE TO THE NATURE OF THE ROLE AND THE TIME SCALE AND REQUIREMENTS ISSUED BY THE CLIENT, CANDIDATE SHAVE BEEN ASKED TO HOLD CURRENT SC LEVEL SECURITY CLEARANCE, OR BE WILLING TO UNDERGO CLEARANCE AT THE CLIENTS REQUEST.

Please find full details below:

ROLE OVERVIEW

The Release Architect is a principal role within ATLAS, providing direction on the effective design of ATLAS Releases, such that services are made available to the customer in an efficient manner.
The Release Architect is responsible for a coherent enterprise Release Strategy that takes account of MoD priorities and cost effective ATLAS delivery.
The Release Architect works within the CTO Service Design Discipline. The Release Architect works with stakeholders to ensure that deliverables adhere to “design for live” principles which takes account of the ATLAS strategy, architecture, processes, schedules and business need to ensure that services are delivered efficiently.
The role requires a thorough understanding of the key dependencies between the programmes and projects to ensure successful delivery. It requires a robust knowledge across all of ATLAS technology, processes and people. 
The Release Architect understands the key architectural level dependencies and ensures that they are appropriate, tracked and managed.

DAY TO DAY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Release Architect’s key responsibility is to promote and support the adoption of “Design for Live” principles across ATLAS Service Lines and Programmes, ensuring that service development and delivery requirements are considered throughout the service development lifecycle. 
Facilitates technical relationships across Service Lines - verifying that Programme/Service Line deliverables are co-ordinated and undertaken in an agreed and controlled manner, and optimised to align with available deployment to live delivery windows. 
The Release Architect will work with Service Lines and Programmes to verify that their releases possess the following characteristics:
a. High Cohesion
b. Low Coupling
c. Alignment to deployment window.
d. Alignment to Business Milestones
Ensures that high level technical dependencies are appropriate, tracked and managed. Understands key programme and project dependencies and the impact of change upon them.
Works with Service Transition – Transition Planning and Support in the Service Operations team to refine the different types of available maintenance windows, such that they are optimised for the business and customer needs. 
The Release Architect works with Service Lines and Service Disciplines to ensure that programmes and projects consider Service Line requirements and ATLAS need. Supports the alignment of Projects and their deliverables to delivery windows; taking into account the technical, delivery, and business drivers, dependencies and constraints.
Promotes High Performing Team Behaviours – promote and support collaboration between teams and with external stakeholders.  In particular foster open and frequent communications and knowledge sharing.  Is empowered to amend process and introduce decision making fora where necessary.
Performance Management – Support the resolution of escalations raised prior to, or at, project checkpoints. 
a. Foster a risk awareness culture
b. Supporting the Service Strategy function in growth opportunities.  Working with CSI Leads to plan and prioritise improvement activities aligned to business need.
c. Develop relationships with stakeholders ensuring that “design for live” requirements are adopted.
d. Escalates observed engineering process issues with the Chief Engineer.
Attends ATLAS Governance boards for Main Programme and RFC45.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS

• Client-facing skills at board level
• Experience of enterprise architecture frameworks – TOGAF/MODAF
• Experience of modelling techniques and tools – process, applications, data and technology
• Workshop and negotiating skills
• Written communications – strong and clear technical writing and presentation.
• Ability to articulate ideas and thoughts and to influence at board-level
• Good leadership and motivational skills
• Minimum SC clearance.

DESIRABLE SKILLS

• ITIL version 3
• Experience of Troux Metaverse modelling tools.