Title: Release Manager - Salesforce & .NET (Azure DevOps)
Location: Richmond, VA (travel onsite if required)
Duration: 3-6 months contract

Overview:
We are seeking a seasoned Release Manager & DevOps Practitioner with experience to architect, optimize, and manage release pipelines and change control processes across complex enterprise environments. This role demands expertise in modern DevOps practices, automation, CI/CD, and governance for effective and risk-controlled software delivery.

Responsibilities

• Architect, implement, and manage robust release management strategies for multi-tier applications across environments.
• Design and optimize CI/CD pipelines using Azure DevOps for Salesforce and .NET applications.
• Manage Salesforce deployments using Gearset, ensuring proper version control, metadata handling, and rollback strategies.
• Coordinate releases for .NET applications leveraging Azure DevOps pipelines and related automation tools.
• Implement sandbox management strategies, including data seeding and refresh cycles for Salesforce environments.
• Own and enforce change control processes, ensuring compliance with regulatory and audit requirements.
• Collaborate with development, QA, operations, and security teams to ensure smooth, high-quality deployments with minimal risk.
• Automate manual software delivery and environment provisioning tasks for efficiency and reliability.
• Execute release readiness reviews, coordinate deployment schedules, and manage post-change support and incident triage.
• Lead and document enterprise Change Advisory Board (CAB) meetings, facilitating risk assessment and communications.
• Track, measure, and report on deployment frequency, change failure, lead time, and rollback metrics; drive continual service improvement.
• Mentor and coach engineers on DevOps and change control best practices, process adherence, and tool usage.
• Lead root cause analysis for failed changes and drive permanent improvement.

• Bachelor's/Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field.
• 7+ Years experience in Software Engineering, Release Management, DevOps Engineering, and Change/Configuration Management roles.
• Hands-on experience with Gearset for Salesforce release management.
• Proven track record managing releases for Salesforce and .NET applications in enterprise environments.
• Deep understanding of ITIL change management processes and release governance frameworks.
• Experience with risk, compliance, audit, and regulatory reporting in a large IT environment.
• Strong communicator, with experience coordinating cross-functional teams and Change Approval Boards.

• Experience with Salesforce DX, git, and source-driven development.
• Familiarity with Azure DevOps Boards, Confluence for work item tracking and release planning