Release Manager

We are seeking a highly experienced and motivated Release Manager with a proven track record in the automotive industry for one of our clients in Brussels. The Release Manager will be responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing software and hardware releases across multiple projects, ensuring timely and high-quality delivery. This role requires strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills, as well as experience managing diverse vendor relationships across the globe.

Responsibilities:

Manage the end-to-end release lifecycle, from planning and scheduling to deployment and post-release support.

Collaborate with cross-functional teams (development, testing, operations, product management) to define release scope, timelines, and dependencies.

Develop and maintain release plans, schedules, and communication plans.

Coordinate and manage multiple vendors across different time zones, ensuring adherence to project timelines and quality standards.

Identify and mitigate risks and issues that could impact release timelines or quality.

Implement and maintain release management processes and best practices.

Oversee the build, integration, and testing of software and hardware releases.

Manage release environments and infrastructure.

Communicate release status and updates to stakeholders at all levels.

Conduct post-release reviews and identify areas for improvement.

Track and report on key release metrics.

Ensure compliance with relevant industry standards and regulations (e.g., ISO 26262).

Manage release documentation.

Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.

Minimum 8+ years of experience in release management, preferably in the automotive industry.

Proven experience managing complex software and/or hardware releases.

Strong understanding of software development lifecycle (SDLC) methodologies (Agile, Waterfall).

Experience with release management tools and automation.

Excellent communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills.

Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, global environment.

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Excellent organizational and time management skills.

Fluency in English (written and spoken) is mandatory.

Fluency in Dutch (DU) and/or French (FR) is a strong advantage.

Experience managing global vendors and remote teams is highly preferred.

Familiarity with automotive software development processes and standards (e.g., ASPICE) is a plus