Network Release Manager

Cynet Systems•Naperville, IL

About The Position

The Network Release Manager is responsible for creating release plans, test checklists, and pre/post validation for network and business applications. This role involves developing rollout trackers and schedules, coordinating release packages, and creating roll-back and recovery plans. The manager will evaluate and communicate the impact of releases on service levels, manage the promotion of releases into production, and communicate release progress. Performance evaluation of release management based on criteria such as elapsed time, automation level, and successful on-time releases is also a key responsibility. The role includes managing and coordinating 'go/no-go' release decision-making, facilitating change requests, and submitting standard intake for various stakeholders. Collaboration with network team members, third-party vendors, and business testers is essential. Additionally, the Network Release Manager will manage project assessment, network design, timelines, budget, quotes execution, and change order requests. Participation in the development of Project Plans for network solution delivery, tracking financials, and providing regular progress reports and escalations are also part of the role.

Requirements

University degree/college diploma or equivalent.
5-10 years of demonstrated Network Release Project Management experience delivering fault tolerant data and voice network infrastructure solutions including Hardware, Software, Services, and Support.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Working knowledge of Cisco routers, Cisco switches, DNA Center, Cisco ICE /Aruba Clearpass, F5 Load Balancers, BT DNS/DHCP, Ixia (Anue), Ivanti (Pulse Secure VPN), Broadcom (BlueCoat) Proxy, Aruba Controllers CAPs, IAPs / WiFi, Checkpoint and Juniper Firewalls.
Experience upgrading code and/or configuring 2960, 3650, 3750, 3800, 3900, 4500, C9300s, C9500s, C9600s, 5Ks, 77Ks, N9Ks, or similar model switches.
Experience upgrading code and/or configuring 1800, 2800, 3800, and ASR1000, ASR1002 or similar model routers.
Experience upgrading Checkpoint FWs, Junos OS code and/or configuring SRX 345, 650, 1400/1500, or current models.
Knowledge and familiarity with BGP, OSPF, RIP, EIGRP, L3-7 switching, HSRP, VoIP and Multicast.
Experience with Carrier / Telco WAN technologies including MPLS, AVPN, SD-WAN, VPN, Broadband, 5G/LTE, Point-to-Point, SONET, OC3, DS3, T1, PRI, and POTS.
Understanding of Network Tools such as SPACE, STRM, Tufin, Lotus Notes (WorkTrack), and ServiceNow CHG MGT.
Good working knowledge of Office (Word/Excel/PowerPoint), Microsoft Project, Visio, Outlook, SharePoint, Office 365, and Skype for Business.

Nice To Haves

Project Management Professional Certification.
Knowledge of ITIL standards as they relate to incident, problem, and change management concepts.

Responsibilities

Create release plans, test checklists or pre/post validation for network and business applications.
Develop rollout trackers/schedules and coordinate contents of the release package.
Create roll-back and recovery plans.
Create release packages and prepare for deployment.
Evaluate and communicate any expected impact to service levels due to release.
Manage and coordinate promotion/release into production.
Communicate release progress through success or reasons for rollback.
Evaluate release management performance based on established criteria such as elapsed time, level of automation, and percentage of successful on-time releases.
Manage and coordinate 'go/no-go' release decision making.
Facilitate, request to raise, and record change requests.
Submit standard intake for PM, Info Sec, partners, business testers, and additional resources when appropriate.
Manage, coordinate, and facilitate network team members, 3rd party vendors for releases, and business testers.
Manage and coordinate project assessment, network design, timelines, budget, quotes execution, and change order requests.
Participate in the development of Project Plans in respect to network solution delivery.
Track financials through the life cycle of the project.
Provide weekly timesheet/progress reports, project portfolio updates, and timely escalations on project obstacles to management.