Release Coordinator

Location(s)

Alpharetta, Georgia, Birmingham, Alabama, Downers Grove, Illinois, Jacksonville, Florida

Details

Kemper is one of the nation’s leading specialized insurers. Our success is a direct reflection of the talented and diverse people who make a positive difference in the lives of our customers every day. We believe a high-performing culture, valuable opportunities for personal development and professional challenge, and a healthy work-life balance can be highly motivating and productive. Kemper’s products and services are making a real difference to our customers, who have unique and evolving needs. By joining our team, you are helping to provide an experience to our stakeholders that delivers on our promises. 

Kemper is adding to the team! The Release Coordinator plays a critical role in the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) process, particularly in managing the deployment and delivery of software applications. This role involves planning, scheduling, and controlling the build, testing, and deployment of releases to ensure that the software is delivered successfully and on time. The Release Coordinator/Manager works closely with development, testing, and operations teams to ensure seamless integration and coordination among all stakeholders involved in the release process. This position requires strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills to handle the complexities and challenges associated with software releases.

Position Responsibilities

• Develop and manage release plans, schedules, and timelines to ensure timely delivery of software products.
• Facilitate release planning meetings with key stakeholders to identify the proper sequencing of release packages.
• Define and document the release scope, schedule, deliverables, and rollback plan.
• Coordinate and schedule key changes to non-production environments, ensuring minimal disruption to ongoing projects.
• Participate in change management and deployment planning meetings to gather relevant data and information.
• Manage the configuration, usage, and scheduling of various non-production environments.
• Ensure that environments are properly maintained and available for testing and development activities.
• Address and resolve any conflicts or issues related to environment usage.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with the release process to minimize disruptions and ensure successful outcomes.
• Act as the central point of communication for all release-related activities, providing updates and status reports to stakeholders and management.
• Prepare and distribute release notes, approvals, and communication plans to all stakeholders.
• Maintain comprehensive documentation of release processes, schedules, and outcomes to ensure transparency and accountability, including pre- and post-release verification.
• Ensure that all releases meet quality standards and comply with relevant regulations and best practices.
• Monitor the progress of releases through various stages and gates, ensuring compliance with release criteria.
• Provide support during release execution, addressing any issues that arise promptly.
• Conduct post-release reviews to gather feedback and identify areas for improvement.
• Analyze release processes and outcomes to identify areas for improvement and implement best practices for future releases.

Position Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field.
• 5 years of experience in software development, project management, or a related role, with a focus on software development life cycle (SDLC) and release management.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in release management tools and software development methodologies, including Agile and DevOps practices.
• Strong analytical skills to assess release processes and identify areas for improvement.
• Ability to lead and foster a collaborative and productive work environment.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience with project management tools (e.g., Jira, ServiceNow) and version control systems (e.g., Git/GitLab) is a plus.
• Organizational Skills: Strong organizational and time management skills to handle multiple releases and deadlines simultaneously.
• Communication Skills: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
• Problem-solving Skills: Ability to identify and resolve issues quickly and efficiently, ensuring smooth and successful releases.
• Attention to Detail: Keen attention to detail to ensure accuracy and completeness in release planning and execution.
• Certifications: Relevant certifications such as ITIL, PMP, or Scrum Master are preferred.
• This position works at a local Kemper office with opportunity to work remote during the year.

The range for this position is $77100 to $128500. When determining candidate offers, we consider experience, skills, education, certifications, and geographic location among other factors. This job is eligible for Kemper benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO, 401k, etc.).

Kemper is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, disability status or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. We are committed to supporting diversity and equality across our organization and we work diligently to maintain a workplace free from discrimination.  
Kemper does not accept unsolicited resumes through or from search firms or staffing agencies. All unsolicited resumes will be considered the property of Kemper and Kemper will not be obligated to pay a placement fee. 
Kemper will never request personal information, such as your social security number or banking information, via text or email.  Additionally, Kemper does not use external messaging applications like WireApp or Skype to communicate with candidates.  If you receive such a message, delete it.  

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