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What does a software release manager do?

Updated January 8, 2025
8 min read
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Software release manager responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real software release manager resumes:

  • Research and self-train in JIRA administration and am currently managing projects across several groups.
  • Work with management to train and identify other teams to manage mission critical projects to use TFS with.
  • Manage customer relationship by communicating SharePoint architecture standards and frameworks; answering questions; resolving concerns and issues.
  • Implement new processes to improve quality of software deliver through the systems development life cycle (SDLC).
  • Create shell scripts, xml properties for Java builds.
  • Create data models to translate business needs into requirements for developers and QA teams.
  • Train coworkers and members of other teams on the usage and administration of JIRA.
  • Implement Jenkins to provide daily builds, smoke test, and static analysis runs continuously to increase engineering efficiency.
  • Communicate all key project plans, commitments, and changes including requirements, QA plans, schedule and scope changes.
  • Ensure technology projects adhere to enterprise project methodology (SDLC) documentation and compliance toll gates to meet mandatory release protocols.
  • Coordinate infrastructure procurement and installation.
  • Work with database teams to develop synchronization schedules.
  • Coordinate network & hardware enhancements along with database upgrades.
  • Produce technical software documentation for a channel management tool and infrastructure used to remotely distribute and transmit subscribe software.
  • Rescue company from broken policy processing website in time for state-mandate changes by extensively remapping undocument third-party API upgrade.

Software release manager skills and personality traits

We calculated that 10% of Software Release Managers are proficient in Software Releases, Release Management, and Software Development. They’re also known for soft skills such as Creativity, Detail oriented, and Interpersonal skills.

We break down the percentage of Software Release Managers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Software Releases, 10%

    Managed software release projects from development to production.

  • Release Management, 10%

    Centralized in-house communication by building release management website with links to real-time defect data.

  • Software Development, 10%

    Documented software discrepancies and assisted Software Development team in troubleshooting various discrepancies.

  • Release Process, 6%

    Supported successful ISO 9000 certification by documenting all software release processes, and training junior release managers on tools and processes.

  • QA, 5%

    Establish QA group to execute test plans, prioritize testing requirements and train employees in accordance to ISO9000/9001 certification.

  • Management Process, 4%

    Created Release and Deployment Management process and policy documentation for the New York City Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications.

Most software release managers use their skills in "software releases," "release management," and "software development" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential software release manager responsibilities here:

Creativity. The most essential soft skill for a software release manager to carry out their responsibilities is creativity. This skill is important for the role because "developers are the creative minds behind new computer software." Additionally, a software release manager resume shows how their duties depend on creativity: "managed adverse effects due to changes within the infrastructure, change requests and conduct inventories of operational equipment. "

Detail oriented. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling software release manager duties is detail oriented. The role rewards competence in this skill because "developers often work on many parts of an application or system at the same time and must therefore be able to concentrate and pay attention to detail." According to a software release manager resume, here's how software release managers can utilize detail oriented in their job responsibilities: "performed scm audits and documented reports with detailed status/outcomes and gaps. "

Interpersonal skills. This is an important skill for software release managers to perform their duties. For an example of how software release manager responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "software developers must be able to work well with others who contribute to designing, developing, and programming successful software." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a software release manager: "team player attitude with customer service focus, excellent interpersonal and organizational skills. ".

Problem-solving skills. software release manager responsibilities often require "problem-solving skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "because developers are in charge of software from beginning to end, they must be able to solve problems that arise throughout the design process." This resume example shows what software release managers do with problem-solving skills on a typical day: "integrate java code with existing code using build solution. "

Analytical skills. A commonly-found skill in software release manager job descriptions, "analytical skills" is essential to what software release managers do. Software release manager responsibilities rely on this skill because "developers must analyze users’ needs and then design software to meet those needs." You can also see how software release manager duties rely on analytical skills in this resume example: "managed software release dates and distribution (held impact analysis meetings to update all departments involved with the software release)"

Communication skills. Lastly, "communication skills" is an important element of what a software release manager does. Software release manager responsibilities require this skill because "developers must be able to give clear instructions to others working on a project." This resume example highlights how software release manager duties rely on this skill: "performed software release and configuration management for multi-purpose telecommunications software products. "

All software release manager skills

Compare different software release managers

Software release manager vs. Information technology technical lead

An information technology technical lead is responsible for assisting the technology team in solving system issues, designing new application systems, improving existing network infrastructure, and maintaining the safety and security of the organization's database. Information technology technical leads inspect the technology system's performance, recommending strategic solutions for optimization and smooth navigations for end-users. They also perform configurations and modifications, adhering to business requirements to support production operations. An information technology technical lead must have excellent knowledge of the technology industry, as well as a strong command of programming languages and system codes to handle technical complexities for maximum efficiency.

If we compare the average software release manager annual salary with that of an information technology technical lead, we find that information technology technical leads typically earn a $12,226 lower salary than software release managers make annually.While their salaries may differ, the common ground between software release managers and information technology technical leads are a few of the skills required in each roleacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities. In both careers, employee duties involve skills like qa, sdlc, and java.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, software release manager responsibilities require skills like "software releases," "release management," "software development," and "release process." Meanwhile a typical information technology technical lead has skills in areas such as "architecture," "governance," "customer service," and "nist." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

Information technology technical leads earn the highest salaries when working in the pharmaceutical industry, with an average yearly salary of $119,542. On the other hand, software release managers are paid more in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $138,311.On average, information technology technical leads reach lower levels of education than software release managers. Information technology technical leads are 6.2% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Software release manager vs. Senior consultant, information technology

A senior consultant of information technology is primarily responsible for developing strategies and procedures to optimize a company's information technology systems and infrastructure. It is their duty to assess existing networks and systems to identify their strengths and weaknesses, develop solutions in problem areas, perform risk assessments, and provide advice on how to achieve the best information technology practices. Furthermore, as a senior consultant, it is essential to lead the efforts and serve as a role model for the workforce, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

On average, senior consultants, information technology earn a $12,967 lower salary than software release managers a year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Software release managers and senior consultants, information technology both require similar skills like "qa," "sdlc," and "jenkins" to carry out their responsibilities.

Each career also uses different skills, according to real software release manager resumes. While software release manager responsibilities can utilize skills like "software releases," "release management," "software development," and "release process," senior consultants, information technology use skills like "architecture," "client facing," "healthcare," and "shared services."

Senior consultants, information technology earn a lower average salary than software release managers. But senior consultants, information technology earn the highest pay in the finance industry, with an average salary of $117,869. Additionally, software release managers earn the highest salaries in the manufacturing with average pay of $138,311 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Senior consultants, information technology tend to reach similar levels of education than software release managers. In fact, they're 1.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Software release manager vs. Technical project coordinator

Technical Project Assistants are involved in the different projects of the company. They are usually entry-level employees assigned to work with project managers. Technical Project Assistants help in various phases of the project management cycle. They are usually assigned to work on administrative activities related to the technical side of the project. This may include working on research drafts, managing work tools, and creating presentation materials. They may also provide insights into the different activities during the project design and development phase. Technical Project Assistants also help in collating feedback from uses or audience members upon project completion.

An average technical project coordinator eans a lower salary compared to the average salary of software release managers. The difference in salaries amounts to technical project coordinators earning a $44,979 lower average salary than software release managers.software release managers and technical project coordinators both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "qa," "sdlc," and "project management," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, software release managers are more likely to have skills like "software releases," "release management," "software development," and "release process." But a technical project coordinator is more likely to have skills like "customer service," "powerpoint," "project documentation," and "database."

Technical project coordinators earn the highest salary when working in the health care industry, where they receive an average salary of $81,501. Comparatively, software release managers have the highest earning potential in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $138,311.technical project coordinators typically earn lower educational levels compared to software release managers. Specifically, they're 7.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Software release manager vs. Information technology project lead

Information technology (IT) project leads are professionals who manage a team of IT professionals that work on the IT projects of an organization. These project leads are required to handle all issues regarding the project and financial management as well as review business and product requirements with the technical development team to address production issues. They must collaborate with the technical and application team leaders so that they can ensure the appropriate development of infrastructure architecture. IT project leads must also participate in negotiations with the software suppliers and IT consulting firms.

Information technology project leads typically earn lower pay than software release managers. On average, information technology project leads earn a $20,614 lower salary per year.According to resumes from software release managers and information technology project leads, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "software development," "qa," and "sdlc. "While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "software releases," "release management," "release process," and "management process" are skills that commonly show up on software release manager resumes. On the other hand, information technology project leads use skills like scrum, project scope, business process, and application development on their resumes.In general, information technology project leads earn the most working in the finance industry, with an average salary of $108,009. The highest-paying industry for a software release manager is the manufacturing industry.In general, information technology project leads hold similar degree levels compared to software release managers. Information technology project leads are 1.9% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of software release manager

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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