Talan (part of the Talan Group) is an expert provider of professional services. Our vision and mission is to take positive action in a complex world for the future good of people and the environment and to enlighten and enable our clients’ transformation in an increasingly complex world.

We are purpose-driven, working across multiple sectors, tackling social and environmental challenges, improving and simplify the way markets work, harnessing the power of digital transformation and ensuring data is protected and used ethically. 

Talan provides a range of consultancy and outsourcing capabilities including programme management, market design and governance. We also have extensive and award-winning capabilities across cyber security, data privacy and digital transformation. We are Great Place to Work accredited.

The nature of what we do means we are very much a people business. The contribution every member of the team makes to our diverse range of experience, skills and personalities is valued. We invest heavily in learning and development to enable our people to develop skills and gain experience which will enhance career prospects for life. Many who started their careers with us have rapidly progressed to more senior positions.

No two days are the same, but we believe in a flexible approach to working which we know our employees value.

The Role
The Change and Release Manager will be responsible for the day-to day management of the Change Management Team and ensuring the effective and efficient delivery of change and release within the SEC. This includes managing the delivery of an extensive programme of change in the smart energy market, ensuring that changes and releases are delivered in accordance with agreed priorities and the wider SEC strategy and objectives.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrating knowledge and expertise of the Smart Energy Code, its products and the end-to-end impacts of these on industry stakeholders and consumers through staff development or subject matter experts  
• Leading and developing a team of Change Analysts, providing motivation and development to achieve overall high performance across the Change Management Team.  
• Delivering against required performance levels and Key Performance Indicators, providing regular reporting on the progress and performance of the SEC Change and Release Team. including RAG status and detailed RAID logs for each release  
• Ensuring Change Proposals each have a comprehensive, accurate and realistic Change Proposal Plan that sets out a timetable relative to its complexity, importance and time-sensitivity.  
• Producing and maintaining a SEC Release Schedule and ensure this remains up-to-date on the SEC website.  
• Producing Release Plans for each SEC Release and Change Proposal detailing all activities, milestones and resources required to ensure a smooth and successful release.  
• Producing and maintaining a Forward Work Plan to support planning, resource management and prioritisation of change and release.  
• Ensuring all SEC Products have been subject to appropriate quality review and sign off prior to release.  
• Reviewing and approving Change documentation to the required quality standards. 
• Developing a Communications Plan for each SEC Release.  
• Working with the Continuous Improvement team to create or update relevant articles, user guidance, training content and SEC website content for each SEC release. 
• Working with the Party Engagement Team to ensure SEC Parties have the required awareness and understanding of SEC Changes and Releases to successfully implement changes to their business. 
• Producing and maintaining a Horizon Scanner to monitor future industry developments that may require proactive change to the code (such as wider industry projects, changes in legislation, contract renewal dates, industry milestones etc). 
• Proactively identifying required changes to the code and capturing these in the Codes Roadmap.  
• Co-ordinating with other Code Manager Service Providers, ensuring updates to the SEC and SEC Products are coordinated and implemented in accordance with the Release Plan.  
• Co-ordinating user testing requirements where required as part of the Release Plan.  
• Developing and maintaining strong, collaborative working relationships with SEC Code Manager Service Providers and SEC Service Providers and across industry  
• Acting as the operational point of contact for the Change Panel and other Responsible Committees.  

Duration: 12 month Fixed Term Contract
Competitive salary plus bonus and excellent benefits package

Requirements

• Leadership skills, leading effectively to motivate and inspire the team to achieve a vision and deliver excellent service.  
• Organisation and time management skills, with the ability to co-ordinate and deliver multiple projects and manage conflicting milestones and deadlines.  
• Risk management, identifying and managing risks and issues to ensure successful delivery.  
• Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal, able to understand and articulate complex issues to all levels of seniority and to technical and non-technical audiences.  
• A keen eye for detail and the highest standard of quality for themselves and others.  
• Passionate about delivering exceptional service and positive outcomes for the market and consumers, putting consumer outcomes at the heart of what you do.  
• Be a team player, with strong interpersonal skills, working collaboratively towards a shared vision for the future.  

Desirable  

• Relevant Project Management qualifications (e.g. PRINCE2, MSP, APMG)  

Upon employment, employees should also have a sound awareness of the Company's Information, Quality, Environmental and Energy Management Systems.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion commitments
Our commitment to sustainable and inclusive growth. As a socially responsible leader, Talan continually invests in sustainable growth, addressing both social and environmental challenges. We achieve this while preserving our core values and ensuring operational excellence for our clients. This commitment to excellence extends across all aspects of our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.

For the past three years, through our 360° approach to social and environmental responsibility, we have been driving significant change and strengthening these principles within our corporate DNA. The solid foundations we've been building since 2021 are enabling our organisation to transform in a sustainable and positive manner.

Disability Inclusion 
We recognise that the diversity of legislative and cultural frameworks for supporting individuals with disabilities requires the implementation of specific policies and a unique approach in each country where the Group operates. Talan is committed to strengthening its involvement in promoting the inclusion of people with disabilities by implementing dedicated support systems and raising awareness among our teams on these issues.

WHAT WE OFFER
25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays
Reward and recognition schemes
Flexible working
Private Bupa healthcare (subsidised)
Life Assurance (up to 4 times annual salary)
Matched pension contributions
Season Ticket Loan
Cycle to work scheme
Buy and Sell annual leave
Reimbursement of eye test and up to £50 towards glasses or contacts
Corporate gym rates
Employee Assistance Programme
Summer and Christmas parties, along with monthly Social@77