Release Train Manager

Job Summary

The Release Train Engineer is a leadership role responsible for predictable, aligned delivery across digital technology teams. The role combines scaled-agile leadership with operation of the technology portfolio office. • It manages integrated planning, dependencies, governance, risks, capacity, funding and executive portfolio insight. • It promotes lean delivery through flow metrics, evidence-based forecasting, embedded assurance and resolution of systemic constraints. • First-year priorities include establishing the mandate, publishing the operating model and roadmap, improving governance and delivering visible portfolio outcomes.

• VP leadership role reporting to the Chief Information Officer: Digital & AI.

• Leads the integrated delivery system across multiple scrum teams and operates the internal technology portfolio office.

• Owns alignment, flow, dependency management, planning, governance and transparent portfolio insight.

• Enables predictable strategic delivery without introducing unnecessary bureaucracy. 

• Maintains a single prioritised view of outcomes, funding, capacity, dependencies, risks and decisions.

• Facilitates integrated planning and execution across agile teams, platforms and enabling functions.

• Runs cadences for planning, system reviews, dependency management, risk resolution and continuous improvement.

• Coaches leaders and teams in lean-agile behaviours, flow, outcome orientation and effective escalation.

• Creates team autonomy while maintaining alignment to enterprise commitments and controls.

• Operates the Digital Business Bank Technology portfolio office on behalf of the CIO.

• Maintains authoritative portfolio data covering scope, milestones, investment, capacity, dependencies, risks and decisions.

• Designs lean governance and decision-ready executive reporting that is consistent and traceable.

• Coordinates investment planning, portfolio prioritisation, demand shaping and change control with key leaders.

• Uses delivery data to identify bottlenecks, excessive WIP, ageing, capacity constraints and systemic risks.

• Drives resolution of cross-team dependencies and escalates constraints that teams cannot remove.

• Challenges unsupported status reporting and promotes evidence-based delivery confidence, forecasting and value realisation.

• Integrates QA, architecture, security and operational assurance into delivery rather than relying on late-stage gates.

• Measures success through predictability, portfolio alignment, flow metrics, dependency resolution, forecast accuracy, benefits and readiness.

• Requires senior multi-team delivery and portfolio-office experience, strong scaled-agile and lean portfolio skills, and mandatory SAFe certification.

• First-year priorities include establishing the mandate and baseline, publishing the operating model and roadmap, improving governance and delivering visible portfolio outcomes.

Education

National Certificate: Information Technology

Absa Bank Limited is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. In compliance with the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998, preference will be given to suitable candidates from designated groups whose appointments will contribute towards achievement of equitable demographic representation of our workforce profile and add to the diversity of the Bank.

Absa Bank Limited reserves the right not to make an appointment to the post as advertised