VodafoneThree - Operational Release Lead

VodafoneThree; Stoke-on-Trent; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent salary

Bonus scheme

Hybrid working

Pension plan

Learning tools

Job summary

VodafoneThree Consumer Operations in Stoke-on-Trent is seeking an Operational Release Lead to coordinate customer platform releases across channels and ensure readiness. You will align with Product, Technology, Commercial, Change and Operations to deliver changes smoothly and safely.

You will own readiness activities, assess risks, support testing, and manage communications through the release lifecycle, enabling excellent customer experiences.

Qualifications

• Experience in operational readiness, release management or similar operational roles.
• Ability to assess complex changes, identify risks and dependencies and plan mitigations.
• Experience within governance frameworks and release sign-off processes.
• Excellent communication and collaboration across multiple teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead the operational coordination of customer platform releases across channels.
• Assess operational impact, risks and customer experience considerations before release.
• Represent Channel Operations in release governance forums and Go/No-Go decisions.
• Work with Product, Technology, Commercial, Change and Operations to ensure alignment.
• Oversee readiness activities across Contact Centres, Retail and Indirect channels.
• Coordinate testing, readiness checkpoints and sign-off activities.
• Own release communications, timelines, outages and milestones.
• Identify and mitigate operational risks and drive governance improvements.
• Act as bridge between delivery teams and operations to translate change into actions.

Skills

Operational readiness

Release management

Change delivery

Stakeholder management

Governance frameworks

Communication skills

Planning & organisation

Analytical mindset

Testing readiness & deployment

Job description

Location: Stoke-on-Trent Contact Centre + Hybrid

Salary: Excellent basic salary plus bonus and Vodafone benefits

Working hours: Full time 37.5 hours per week – Monday to Friday

Duration: Perm role

Hybrid

We believe that through collaboration and connection with our colleagues we can achieve great things. Our hybrid working approach allows our people to work both in the office and at home, providing the flexibility and resources you need to succeed in your role. We don't require you to be in on specific days; instead, we ask people to come into the office 2-3 days each week, for at least 8 days per month. You should work with your line manager to understand what their expectations are for you, your specific role and your team.

Who We Are

We’re here to build a network the UK can count on – one that connects people, places and potential. Because no matter where you live, what your background is, or how you get online – we think everyone deserves the same chance to stay connected, and with VodafoneThree, that future’s being built – today.

We’re creating more than the UK’s best network. We’re helping close the digital divide, empower communities and drive meaningful progress.

We believe that everyone should feel they belong. Whoever you are and whatever your story, there’s space for you here. We’re building a workplace where different perspectives are welcomed, voices are heard, and everyone feels safe to show up as themselves.

You’ll join a team that genuinely cares – about each other, about our customers, and about the future we’re building. From day one, you’ll be welcomed, valued and encouraged to bring your whole self to work.

Why VodafoneThree

Join us and you’ll be at the heart of change. That means building responsibly, investing sustainably and creating opportunities that last.

We’re not just expanding connectivity; we’re reimagining what a connected nation looks like. With £11bn invested in 5G and digital infrastructure, your work will directly power businesses, services, and communities across the country.

You’ll work on real challenges, with real impact, across every corner of the country. Wherever you join us, whatever your role, you’ll be helping to build a future that works better for everyone.

We move at pace, because what we’re building matters – and we’re learning as we go. We’re proud of the progress we’ve made, but we’re just getting started.

Be a part of VodafoneThree Consumer Operations, where delivering exceptional customer experiences is at the heart of everything we do. From supporting our customers across multiple sales and care channels to driving operational excellence and digital transformation, we work to enhance every interaction. This is where innovation meets service, and where your impact can make a real difference.

What You'll Do

At VodafoneThree, we're on a mission to deliver the UK's best customer experience, and you'll play a pivotal role in making that happen. As an Operational Release Lead, you'll sit at the centre of Channel Operations, ensuring new customer and colleague-facing capabilities are launched smoothly, safely, and successfully across our Contact Centre, Retail, and Indirect channels. You'll bring together teams from across the business, turning complex change into seamless operational delivery that keeps colleagues informed, customers supported, and releases on track.

• You'll lead the operational coordination of customer platform releases across Consumer channels, ensuring business readiness every step of the way
• You'll assess the operational impact of proposed changes and identify risks, dependencies, and customer experience considerations before release
• You'll represent Channel Operations within release governance forums, providing operational input and supporting Go/No-Go decisions
• You'll work closely with Product, Technology, Commercial, Change, and Operations teams to ensure alignment throughout the release lifecycle
• You'll oversee readiness activities across Contact Centres, Retail, and Indirect channels, making sure teams are prepared to support new capabilities from day one
• You'll coordinate testing, readiness checkpoints, and sign-off activities to support stable and successful implementations
• You'll own operational communications relating to release plans, timelines, outages, and key milestones, ensuring stakeholders receive timely and actionable updates
• You'll proactively identify and mitigate operational risks while driving continuous improvement in release governance, controls, and operational readiness processes
• You'll act as the key bridge between delivery teams and operational functions, helping to turn technical change into positive customer and colleague experiences

Who You Are

• Experience in operational readiness, release management, business implementation, change delivery, or a similar operational role
• A strong understanding of Contact Centre, Retail, and/or Indirect channel operations and the impact change can have on customer and colleague experiences
• The ability to assess complex changes, identify risks and dependencies, and drive effective mitigation plans
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, with the confidence to collaborate across Operations, Technology, Product, Commercial, and Change teams
• Experience working within governance frameworks and contributing to release sign-off or Go/No-Go decision-making
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate technical change into clear operational actions and business updates
• Strong planning, organisation, and problem-solving abilities, with experience managing multiple priorities and deadlines
• An analytical mindset combined with sound judgement and a focus on delivering practical outcomes
• Experience supporting testing, readiness activities, and deployment processes to ensure successful release delivery
• A collaborative, inclusive approach and a passion for driving operational excellence and outstanding customer experiences

Worried that you don’t meet all the desired criteria exactly? We know that everyone is unique, with multiple aspects to their identity and different experiences behind them. We are passionate about Inclusion for All and creating a workplace where everyone can thrive, whatever their personal or professional background.

What We Offer

We care about our people’s success by offering great pay, bonuses, up to 28 days off plus bank holidays, and paid time for charity work. You can personalise our benefits for you and your family, like discounts, vouchers, a pension plan and loads more. We help with your career through our amazing learning tools and top-notch parental leave policies.

Need to Know

We are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and all offers of employment for this role are subject to background checks, including criminal (DBS) and financial checks to meet the regulators standards.

If you require any reasonable adjustments or have an accessibility request as part of your recruitment journey, for example, extended time or breaks in between online assessments, a sign language interpreter, or assistive technology, please refer to the Accessibility section of our Careers website (https://careers.vodafone.com/uk/reasonable-adjustments/) for guidance.

We use AI in different parts of our business to boost innovation, improve efficiency, and create new opportunities. We know many candidates use AI to fine-tune their CVs or prepare for interviews, but what we really care about is your unique experiences and achievements.

During the interview, we want you to rely on your own knowledge and skills to show us who you really are—your personality, creativity, and abilities. Above all, we’re looking for authenticity and can’t wait to get to know the real you.

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