At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the release planning and environment management for a major transformation programme.
- Company: Join Pennon Water Services, a leader in the UK water sector committed to sustainability.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, bonus scheme, healthcare benefits, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with a focus on inclusion and diversity.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on a large-scale transformation while working with innovative technology.
- Qualifications: Experience in release management and strong stakeholder management skills required.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
Powered by Water, Driven by Purpose. A leading water and wastewater retailer, Pennon Water Services (trading as Source for Business), supports over 150,000 business accounts across the UK. With a commitment to helping our customers lower their water use and save money, our team provides expert advice on water efficiency, leakage, and contingency. We’re proud to be part of Pennon Group, a leader in the UK water sector, working towards a greener future.
The Opportunity: We're supporting Pennon Water Services on the delivery of the Nexus Transformation Programme, a major business and technology transformation focused on modernising Billing and CRM platforms. We are looking for an experienced Change, Release & Environment Manager to take ownership of release planning, environment management and service transition activities across this complex programme. Working within a SAFe Agile delivery framework, you'll play a critical role in ensuring releases are delivered in a controlled and predictable manner, environments remain stable, and the transition into live operation is successful.
Key Responsibilities:
- Coordinate the end-to-end release life-cycle, ensuring deployments are planned, scheduled and delivered in line with programme milestones.
- Develop and manage detailed Cutover Run Books, overseeing activities required for system releases and data transitions.
- Manage the availability, allocation and stability of non-production environments, including SIT and UAT.
- Act as the key point of contact for environment planning, access and conflict resolution across delivery teams.
- Maintain a clear and auditable release process using tools such as Azure DevOps, Jira and Xray.
- Work closely with testing teams to ensure environments are appropriately configured and refreshed for planned test cycles.
- Create and maintain a central change and release schedule, ensuring risks, dependencies and constraints are effectively managed.
- Support Service Transition activities, including Hypercare and Early Life Support (ELS).
- Participate in PI Planning and Agile ceremonies to identify release risks, environment dependencies and delivery impacts.
- Facilitate Go/No-Go readiness assessments and support governance forums with release decision-making.
- Collaborate with third-party suppliers, programme teams and business stakeholders to ensure successful deployment outcomes.
What You'll Need:
- Proven experience managing releases, deployments and cutovers within large-scale transformation programmes.
- Experience creating and executing detailed Cutover Run Books.
- Strong Release Management and Environment Management expertise.
- Hands-on experience with Azure DevOps, Jira, Xray or similar DevOps toolsets.
- Experience managing environment contention across multiple teams and workstreams.
- Knowledge of ITIL Service Transition, Hypercare and Early Life Support models.
- Strong understanding of SAFe Agile and working within Agile delivery frameworks.
- Excellent stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence technical teams, suppliers and senior stakeholders.
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced programme environment.
- Experience within Utilities or other regulated industries would be advantageous.
What You'll Get:
- The opportunity to play a key role in a major Billing and CRM transformation programme.
- A high-profile position working alongside senior programme leadership, architects and delivery partners.
- Exposure to a complex enterprise-scale SAFe Agile environment.
- The chance to shape release, cutover and environment management processes that are critical to programme success.
- Hybrid working with a blend of remote and onsite collaboration.
If you're an experienced Change, Release & Environment Manager looking to make an impact on a large-scale transformation programme, we'd love to hear from you. At Pennon Water Services, we believe in rewarding our people for their hard work and dedication.
Closing Date: 17th August 2026. We may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible. Please note that the successful candidate will be subject to a mandatory DBS check as part of the on-boarding process.
Be yourself, we like it that way. Together, we will build a culture of belonging, where inclusion is instinctive. Diversity is our strength and a reflection of our communities. We care, we value everyone, we celebrate uniqueness. Our core values, which are essential to our success, are: Be Rock Solid - Build trust and be trusted. Be the one we all look to and can depend on. Be You - We want you to bring your best every day. Be yourself and make your mark in your individual way. Be the Future - Embrace change. Drive Progress. Own the challenge.
Change, Release & Environment Manager Pennon Water Services · Business, Corporate and Support F[...] in Bournemouth employer: Pennon Group
At Pennon Group, we offer a dynamic work environment where our In-House Legal Counsel can thrive while making a meaningful impact on communities and the environment. Our commitment to employee growth is reflected in our supportive culture and opportunities for professional development, all set against the backdrop of our leadership in the UK water sector. Join us in driving purpose and innovation as we work towards a sustainable future.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Change, Release & Environment Manager Pennon Water Services · Business, Corporate and Support F[...] in Bournemouth
✨Tap into Consulting Networks
Get active in local management consulting networks and organisations. Attend meetups, workshops, or webinars specific to consulting where you can connect with professionals who may know of temporary roles opening up at places like Pennon Group. Don’t underestimate word-of-mouth – it’s massive in our field!
✨Show Off Your Skills in Real-Time
As a temporary hire, you need to demonstrate your value quickly. Consider creating a mini-case study or analysis relevant to the industry and share it on platforms like LinkedIn or even during networking events. This can be an impressive way to showcase your analytical skills and problem-solving prowess – just what consulting firms are looking for!
✨Check for Temporary Roles on Niche Job Boards
Look for temporary roles on specialised job boards for consulting gigs rather than just generic platforms. Websites like Consultancy.uk or even the Careers pages of major firms could have short-term projects or roles that are perfect for you to jump in at Pennon Group.
✨Leverage University and Alumni Resources
If you’re fresh out of uni or connected with a local institution, take advantage of their career services and alumni networks. Many universities have exclusive connections to consulting firms seeking temporary help. Plus, it’s a great way to meet other aspiring consultants who might share leads about opportunities at Pennon Group.
We think you need these skills to ace Change, Release & Environment Manager Pennon Water Services · Business, Corporate and Support F[...] in Bournemouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:In management consulting, employers love to see your problem-solving abilities right from the get-go. Be sure to highlight any relevant analytical projects you've worked on, particularly those that show how you tackled complex problems. If you’ve done any case studies or analysis during your studies, throw those in your CV!
Tailor Your Experience for the Role:Since this is a temporary position, your application should reflect your adaptability and relevant experience quite clearly. Focus on showcasing experiences that demonstrate your ability to hit the ground running, like previous projects, internships, or freelance gigs in consulting or project management.
Craft a Targeted Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to sparkle! Use it to explain why you're interested in this temporary role at Pennon Group and how your skills suit the specific project needs. Remember to mention how you can provide immediate value based on your past experiences.
Include Certifications or Relevant Training:If you've got any certifications like PMP, Six Sigma, or even coursework that’s super relevant, make sure to list those in your application. Management consulting can be competitive, and these extra qualifications can help you stand out in the recruitment process.
How to prepare for a job interview at Pennon Group
✨Prepare for Case Studies
In management consulting, case study interviews are a big deal. Expect to tackle real-world business problems on the spot. We should practise structuring our thoughts, developing hypotheses, and presenting our solutions clearly, as this is what firms like Pennon Group will want to see.
✨Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills
You’ll need to demonstrate strong analytical skills and logical reasoning. Brush up on frameworks like SWOT or Porter's Five Forces, as these can come in handy. Think of instances from your experience where you tackled a complex issue—this could set you apart when speaking to Pennon Group.
✨Highlight Your Adaptability
Since this is a temporary role, it's crucial we showcase our ability to hit the ground running. Have examples ready that illustrate how we've adapted quickly in past positions or projects. This shows that we can contribute effectively from day one at Pennon Group.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Cultural Fit
Temporary roles often come with a focus on team dynamics. Prepare to discuss how we align with the values and culture at Pennon Group. We want to highlight our teamwork experiences and how we can mesh with their consulting teams, making it clear that we're not just looking to fill a spot but to add value.
