Program Management - Release Co-ordinator

The role for our client is for a Release Co-ordinator who leads and manages all releasing activities for complex vehicle programmes, from model year updates through to whole new vehicle launches. Working closely with the Programme Manager, Chief Product Engineer and cross-functional teams, the role owns the release process, associated reporting and governance to ensure BoM deadlines, programme gateways and glide paths are met.

You will act as the subject matter expert and single point of contact for release status, concerns and metrics across SQUADs and supporting functions.

Key Responsibilities - Programme & Release Management

• Manage release and change activities for complex vehicle programmes, covering model years and new vehicle programmes, divided by SQUAD teams where required.
• Own and chair release meetings (with programme support), scheduling sessions that align to BoM deadlines and key programme milestones.
• Drive adherence to SLAs using the Celonis toolset, ensuring blockers are rapidly identified, escalated and resolved.
• Chart progress to S, T, P release glide paths and subsequent BoM locks, providing clear visibility to programme leadership.

Releasing, Concerns & Change Control

• Act as SPOC / SME for SQUADs and supporting functions on the release process, promoting best practice to expedite releases efficiently.
• Ensure timely correction, completion and cancellation of concerns, PACNs and iCREATE items, including ownership of cross-carline concerns.
• Ensure XCL releases are completed in line with programme deadlines, given necessary enablers are in place.
• Identify and correct error states in releases and drive optimal release solutions through ERS resources.
• Perform and complete RC15 IVS optimal checks (non-PVT).

Reporting, Metrics & Governance

• Prepare PST / LMM / LMLR release metrics and present status in relevant forums as required.
• Maintain and report scorecard metrics for:
• PACN ageing
• WERS concern ageing
• iCREATE ageing
• Throughput metrics for Release Team members
• Support Celonis roll-out as the single source of truth for non-DPP release meetings.

Trackers & Tools

• Own the Release Tracker, including daily data updates and resolution of technical issues with the Tools Team.
• Issue the nightly release "night letter" and ensure accuracy of all reported data.
• Maintain ageing task status across Finance, MP&L, Manufacturing and other relevant stakeholders.
• Maintain the PFEP tracker, including concern loading, OK/NOK checks and co-ordination of resolutions for failures.

Programme Assumptions & PACN Management

• Lead PACN status maintenance for WERS-related PACNs.
• Drive progression of high-ageing PACNs to completion or cancellation in alignment with programme needs.

Key Interfaces

• Chief Product Engineer (CPE)
• Programme Manager and programme management team
• PGLs, ED Representatives, SQUAD Leaders
• Engineering CoCs
• Manufacturing Product Integration (MPI)
• Material Planning & Logistics (MP&L)
• Programme and Central Finance
• Manufacturing AME and CME

Do you have experience in Process improvement?, * Significant experience in project and/or change management within a major, multi-year, complex cross-functional programme environment.

• Proven leadership capability with the ability to drive outcomes and clarity from ambiguity.
• Relevant degree or equivalent experience.
• Demonstrable process improvement knowledge (e.g. SIPPE, 8D, PR-AIMS or similar).
• Working knowledge of WERS and iCREATE.
• Strong Excel skills with experience handling complex data and reporting.

Desirable

• Experience of stakeholder management at all organisational levels.
• Hands-on experience with PACNs and advanced iCREATE usage.
• Experience of macro coding and/or tools such as Exalead and Elastic.

Personal Profile

• Customer-focused mindset; easy to work with, creates positive experiences and delivers outcomes that are personalised, transparent and dependable.
• Works independently and is results-driven, demonstrating tenacity and perseverance in a complex, highly demanding environment.
• Able to balance short-term pragmatic focus with medium-term planning.
• Resilient and enthusiastic, responds constructively to new ideas and inputs.
• Strong communicator, able to convey complex ideas clearly to diverse stakeholders.
• Effective team player who actively develops and supports team members.

Desirable

• Able to challenge existing thinking in a positive, constructive way while building credibility and trust through experience and personal style.