Lead Release Manager - National Law Enforcement Data Portfolio

Job summary

Home Office Digital designs, builds and develops services for the rest of the department and for government. Every year our systems support up to 3 million visa applications, checks on 100 million border crossings, up to 8 million passport applications and deliver 140 million police checks on people, vehicles and property.

As a Lead Release Manager, you will manage IT related Change within Policing as part of the National Law Enforcement Data Portfolio (NLEDP) Services. You will navigate the complex landscape of technologies, senior Policing stakeholder, 3rd party suppliers, internal and cross-government teams to provide key service within Home Office. In line with the organisation’s strategic decisions, direction, policies, you will be able to make difficult decisions based on information gathered and effectively assess risk, applying process, methods, tools and applications to provide the best possible availability and performance from the technology.

You will set the strategy for the Operational Release Management team, deciding areas of focus and priority, ensuring that processes are well-documented and reflective of best practice, and agreeing templates and frameworks for process variations that might be applicable across services and portfolios.

Where business needs allow some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. Where this is the case, employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in the office.

Watch this short video to hear from members of Home Office Digital talking about the projects they work on and their experience of working here: Working for Home Office Digital.

Job description

As a Lead Release Manager, your main day to day responsibilities will be to:

• Lead the process and deployment of release(s), allocating workload and acting as the highest escalation point if there are any issues, ensuring that standards and timescales are met, whilst demonstrating value for money.
• Provide specialist advice, responsible for approval, prioritisation and refusal of major Release requests, in line with business need.
• Liaise with the Service Architect & Design function to forecast and plan service introduction to minimise disruption to service, ensuring services are delivered on timescales and are documented.
• Set strategy for Release Management in the Service Model, in line with business needs and to deliver quality services, seeking ways to automate and draw on efficiencies.
• Provide reporting to senior leads and representing the function on various boards and forms of governance.
• Drive continual service improvements through the measurement and challenge of services and processes, using tools and capability to automate where appropriate, and reflecting on outputs from Post Implementation reviews.
• Organise team engagement with Incident Management during major incidents, ensuring that appropriate release management representation is made on technical bridge calls.
• Manage patterns or trends of non-compliance of Release policies and processes, engaging at a senior level with Business Portfolios, Suppliers, Transition or Project Manager.

The successful candidate will also be required to cover future services that form part of NLEDP in the integrated Service Model.

WorkingPattern

This role is available on a full-time basis with the option of compressed hours working. This role is also suitable for part-time working hours, with a minimum requirement to work 4 days/ 30 hours per week due to business requirements.

Person specification

Essential Skills

You’ll have a demonstrable passion for change management of a service, with the following skills or strong experience in:

• Developing, implementing and adhering to ITIL v3 / v4 management processes and procedures.
• Performing a similar role within the Civil Service or at other organisations.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to communicate effectively and professionally.
• Proven ability to lead and manage large teams.
• Proven ability to build and manage relationships with suppliers and senior stakeholders
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills

SFIA capability framework

Skills for the Information Age (SFIA) version 8 is the technical framework that sets the standard capability and development of all levels in the Home Office. This is a link to the capability framework: All skills A - Z English (sfia-online.org).

We use set SFIA technical skills to form our interview questions and we will assess you against these technical skills during the selection process.

The essential skills listed above are reflective of the Home Office Government Digital and Data Profession Career Framework (based on the industry standard SFIA framework). Use the SFIA levels of responsibility to understand what would be expected for each technical skills listed below.

Change and Transformation:

• Change Analysis
  • Business Situation Analysis (BUSA) - level 3

Delivery and Operation:

• Service Management
  • Service Acceptance (SEAC) - level 4
  • Change Control (CHMG) - level 4
• Technology Management
  • Technology Service Management (ITMG) - level 3
  • Release and Deployment (RELM) - level 5

Relationships and Engagement:

• Stakeholder Management
  • Stakeholder Relationship Management (RLMT) - level 3

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Business Situation Analysis (BUSA) – level 3
• Service Acceptance (SEAC) – level 4
• Change Control (CHMG) – level 4
• Technology Service Management (ITMG) – level 3
• Release and Deployment (RELM) – level 5
• Stakeholder Relationship Management (RLMT) – level 3

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £62,109, Home Office contributes £17,992 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Why work for us...

Find out more information at: benefits - Home Office careers, but some of the primary ones are:

• A civil service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

• In-year reward scheme for one-off or sustained exceptional personal or team achievements.

• 25 days annual leave on appointment, rising with service to 30 days.

• 8 days of public holidays, plus 1 additional privilege day.

• Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. This is a non-contractual arrangement where all employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office.

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Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Experience and Technical skills.

As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a CV and personal statement (up to 1000 words). Please note your CV and personal statement should include all relevant experience that relates to our essential skills criteria listed in the advert and role description. We recommend that you use the STAR format in your examples and ensure that both components are completed thoroughly.

Remove information that identifies you (for example your name, age or place of education) so that you will be judged on merit alone and not your personal background, circumstances, race or gender. Do NOT include e-mail addresses or links to online profiles, resumés, or prior work, either personal or business. Active links or e-mail addresses will result in your application being rejected.

Watch our three short videos on how to apply for our roles: Applying - Home Office Careers.

Sift stage

The sift will be held on the CV and personal statement. Please read the essential skills for this position carefully. We will only consider those who meet the listed requirements.

In the event of a high number of applications received, the sift will be held on the personal statement only.

Interview stage

Candidates reaching the required standard will then be invited to attend an interview. The interview will assess your experience and technical skills (SFIA Framework) using technical-based questions.

If you are invited to an interview, you will be required to bring a range of documentation for the purposes of establishing identity and to aid any pre-employment checks. Please see the attached list of Home Office acceptable ID documents.

Sift and interview dates

The sift will commence from 7 April 2026.

Interviews are expected to take place from 5 May 2026(subject to the panel’s operational requirements/priorities).

Interviews will be conducted remotely via MS Teams.

We will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change. You will be provided with sufficient notice of the confirmed dates.

Further information

If you have previously made an unsuccessful application for a role with the same essential skills and are not able to demonstrate how you have developed these skills since your last application, please reconsider applying as your application is unlikely to be successful.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms directly. If you are doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing pre-employmentchecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

Reserve list

A reserve list of successful candidates will be kept for 12 months. Should another role become available within that period you may be offered this position.

Reserve lists may be held for each location. Candidates will be appointed in merit order by location where this applies.

Similar roles

Job offers to this post are made based on merit. We often have similar roles available at different grades. If a candidate is suitable for a similar role or a lower grade than they have applied for, we may offer the candidate that role without the need to go through a further selection process providing the role has the same behaviours and essential skills.

UK residency and security requirements

For meaningful security checks to be carried out, individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. Learn more on our website. Security Checks - Home Office Careers.

Please note that this role requires Security Check (SC) clearance, which would normally need 5 years’ UK residency in the past 5 years. Candidates must also hold or be prepared to undergo NPPV3 clearance.

In exceptional circumstances security clearance applications for candidates who have been present in the UK for at least 3 of the last 5 years may be considered. Failure to meet this residency requirement will result in your security clearance application being rejected.

For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the following page Demystifying Vetting - GOV.UK.

Visa sponsorship

We are unable to sponsor any individuals via Skilled Worker Sponsorship / Tier 2 (General) work visas as we do not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License

Capability Allowance

This role has access to a Digital Capability-Based Allowance – Recruitment and Retention Allowance. Applicants who are successful at interview will be invited to complete a Capability and Skills Assessment post-interview. Any allowance awarded will be based on the assessment of your capability against the six skills advertised for this role. Please see the Home Office Digital Recruitment and Retention Allowance Careers page for more information.

The allowance values are set by the Home Office, subject to remaining in a qualifying role. This allowance is non-contractual, subject to an annual review and could be withdrawn at any time.​

For both new entrants and existing civil servants, the total compensation offer is a combination of base salary and, if applicable, a capability-based allowance.

Reasonable Adjustments

If a person with disabilities is at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

• Contact Government Recruitment Service via HOrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs

• Complete the “Assistance Required” section in the “Additional Requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you're deaf, a language service professional

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the ‘Contact point for applicants’ section.

Feedback

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : AC Recruitment Team
• Email : acrecruitment@homeoffice.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : HOrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Further information

If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the Civil Service recruitment principles and you wish to make a complaint, then contact the Government Recruitment Service via HOrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response that you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission.

Attachments

2025-11-17 Pre-employment Checking - Document Requirements (V17) Opens in new window (pdf, 231kB)candidate_information_v16_January_2026 Opens in new window (pdf, 429kB)