Director, Product and Engineering Operations

Director, Product & Engineering Release Operations

 

Location:                   Remote, USA

Employment Type: Full-Time

Compensation:        $180,000.00 - $210,000.00 (Range applies to US candidates only) + Benefits/Variable Comp/Equity - Range may vary based on experience. 

Benefits Offered:    Vision, Medical, Life, Dental, 401K

 

Summary

The Director, Product and Engineering Operations, oversees processes and operations in Product Management and Software Engineering to enhance productivity, quality, and efficiency. This role blends program and change management to drive continuous improvement, ensure seamless software delivery, and align goals within Product and Engineering teams. Responsibilities include managing team operations, ensuring adoption of changes, and fostering alignment with company culture.

The role involves managing software implementations, integrations, process optimization, automation, and third-party applications.

 

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a high-performing team of Release Managers, Project Managers, Program Managers, and Scrum Masters.
• Develop and implement strategies for release, project, and program management to ensure timely, high-quality product delivery.
• Align project roadmaps, release schedules, and process improvements with organizational goals.
• Champion agile methodologies and lead initiatives to enhance agile practices across teams.
• Oversee the full software release lifecycle, including planning, scheduling, and execution.
• Align release plans with business needs and technical dependencies.
• Define and implement best practices for release governance, risk management, and deployment coordination.
• Monitor post-release performance and apply lessons learned to future releases.
• Manage a portfolio of software development projects and programs, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives.
• Drive programs from initiation to completion, including scoping, planning, tracking, and reporting.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to allocate resources and manage budgets and timelines.
• Establish governance frameworks to manage risks and achieve milestones.
• Support and coach Scrum Masters to strengthen agile practices across teams.
• Facilitate agile ceremonies and promote continuous improvement.
• Identify and remove team impediments to ensure timely delivery of high-quality software.
• Track and optimize team metrics, including velocity and performance.
• Assess and enhance planning, development, and release processes for scalability and efficiency.
• Lead efforts in process optimization, including Jira enhancements, KPI tracking, and release capacity planning.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement through feedback loops and SDLC innovations.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards and best practices.
• Oversee license renewals, purchasing, and vendor management in partnership with Finance and IT Asset Management.
• Approve timesheets and ensure proper processing.

 

Required Education and Experience

• 10+ years of experience in release management, project/program management, or process improvement in a software development environment.
• 5+ years of leadership experience managing cross-functional teams, including project and program managers.
• Develop and implement strategies for release, project, and program management to ensure timely, high-quality product delivery.
• Align project roadmaps, release schedules, and process improvements with organizational goals.
• Strong understanding of software development lifecycles (SDLC), release management, agile methodologies, and CI/CD pipelines.
• Proficiency in tools like Jira, Confluence, and Microsoft Project, with advanced Microsoft Office skills.
• Familiarity with release governance, risk management, and deployment coordination.
• Lead and develop a high-performing team of Release Managers, Project Managers, Program Managers, and Scrum Masters.
• Proven ability to lead and mentor teams, resolve conflicts, and manage complex projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a track record of effectively engaging stakeholders at all levels.
• Expertise in creating and presenting project/program documentation, artifacts, and presentations.
• Demonstrated ability to balance competing priorities, manage change, and meet deadlines without compromising quality.
• Strong problem-sol