Test & Release Manager (Oracle)

The Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT) purpose is to have a global impact by fundamentally reimagining the way science and technology translate into end-to-end solutions and delivering these solutions in programmes and platforms that respond to humanity’s most challenging problems.

EIT will ensure scientific discoveries and pioneering science are turned into products for the benefit of society that can have high-impact worldwide and, over time, be commercialised to ensure long-term sustainability.

Led by a world-class faculty of scientists, technologists, policy makers, economists and entrepreneurs, the Ellison Institute of Technology aims to develop and deploy commercially sustainable solutions to solve some of humanity’s most enduring challenges. Our work is guided by four Humane Endeavours: Health, Medical Science & Generative Biology, Food Security & Sustainable Agriculture, Climate Change & Managing Atmospheric CO2 and Artificial Intelligence & Robotics.

Set for completion in 2027, the EIT Campus in Littlemore will include more than 300,000 sq ft of research laboratories, educational and gathering spaces. Fuelled by growing ambition and the strength of Oxford’s science ecosystem, EIT is now expanding its footprint to a 2 million sq ft Campus across the western part of The Oxford Science Park. Designed by Foster + Partners led by Lord Norman Foster, this will become a transformative workplace for up to 7,000 people, with autonomous laboratories, purpose-built laboratories including a plant sciences building and dynamic spaces to spark interdisciplinary collaboration.

EIT is committed to cultivating a community where excellence is achieved through collaboration, trust, innovation and tenacity. We foster an environment where everyone’s experience and expertise are valued. We are curious and resilient in our efforts to drive long-term, sustainable innovation to meet humanity’s most enduring challenges.

EIT is seeking an experienced a Fusion Test and Release Manager who will be responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing all testing and release management activities for Oracle Fusion Cloud applications and related integrations. This role ensures that all functional and technical changes are thoroughly tested, validated, and deployed into production environments with minimal disruption. The manager will work closely with project teams, business users, technical leads, and vendors to uphold quality standards, governance, and release discipline.

Key Responsibilities:

Test Management

• Develop and implement test strategies, plans, and schedules for Oracle Fusion Cloud releases and enhancements.
• Manage all test phases: unit, system, integration, regression, UAT, and performance testing.
• Define test entry/exit criteria and ensure readiness and sign-off at each stage.
• Oversee creation and maintenance of test scripts using tools such as Oracle Test Automation Suite, Selenium, and OATS.
• Coordinate UAT sessions with business users and manage issue resolution and sign-offs.
• Track and manage defects using tools like Jira and Azure DevOps.

Release Management

• Own and manage the release calendar, aligning with project timelines and Oracle’s quarterly update cycles.
• Plan and coordinate end-to-end release processes, including validation and cutover planning.
• Define and enforce release governance, including version control and rollback procedures.
• Collaborate with Oracle support and internal teams for patch management and environment refreshes.
• Conduct release readiness reviews to ensure compliance and quality.

Quality & Governance

• Establish and monitor KPIs for testing and release quality.
• Maintain documentation for testing procedures, release notes, and post-release reviews.
• Ensure compliance with ITIL, SOX, and internal audit standards.
• Drive continuous improvement in test automation and release processes.

Collaboration & Leadership

• Lead and mentor testing and release teams, including vendor and offshore resources.
• Liaise with business process owners, solution architects, and developers.
• Communicate release impacts, risks, and dependencies clearly to stakeholders.

Essential Skills, Qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or related field (Master’s preferred).
• 5–10 years’ experience in Test and Release Management, ideally within Oracle Fusion Cloud (ERP, HCM, SCM).
• Proven experience managing Oracle quarterly updates, P2T refreshes, and multi-environment landscapes.
• Strong understanding of SDLC, Agile, and DevOps practices.
• Hands-on experience with test management and automation tools (e.g., Oracle OATS, Selenium, Jira, Azure DevOps, HP ALM).
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience in global delivery and multi-vendor environments.

Desirable Skills, Qualifications & Experience:

• Oracle Cloud certifications in relevant modules.
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines and ERP testing automation frameworks.
• Familiarity with Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), Oracle Integration Cloud (OIC), and REST APIs.
• ITIL certification or equivalent service management knowledge.

We offer the following salary and benefits:

• Salary: £60,000 - £70,000 (dependent on experience) plus bonus and travel allowance
• Enhanced holiday pay
• Pension
• Life Assurance
• Income Protection
• Private Medical Insurance
• Hospital Cash Plan
• Therapy Services
• Perk Box
• Electric Car Scheme

Why work for EIT:

At the Ellison Institute, we believe a collaborative, inclusive team is key to our success. We are building a supportive environment where creative risks are encouraged, and everyone feels heard. Valuing emotional intelligence, empathy, respect, and resilience, we encourage people to be curious and to have a shared commitment to excellence. Join us and make an impact!

Terms of Appointment:

You must have the right to work permanently in the UK with a willingness to travel as necessary.

You will live in, or within easy commuting distance of, Oxford and can commit to being on site for at least 3 days per working week, sometimes more during busier periods where it is required.

During peak periods, some longer hours may be required and some working across multiple time zones due to the global nature of the programme.