Release Manager | Irvine, CA

At Blizzard Entertainment, we pour our hearts and souls into everything we create. Best known for iconic video game universes, including Warcraft, Overwatch, Diablo, and StarCraft, we’ve been creating genre-defining games for millions of players around the world for more than 30 years. We’re on a quest: bring our dreams to life and craft the most epic entertainment experiences…ever. Hard work, iteration, and polish go into the Blizzard “secret recipe,” but the most important ingredients come from talented people who share our vision.

The concept of “Blizzard polish,” that is, the infinite care and loving detail put into every aspect of our games, is something we take seriously and pride ourselves on delivering to our players. It’s a responsibility shared across the company – and its undisputed heart and soul is Blizzard QA. Blizzard QA is a close-knit team; we care about iteration, problem-solving, and succeeding as a group. We genuinely love what we do for a living and expect the same from everyone who joins us!

This role offers a flexible hybrid work week, with a mix of remote and on-site days. While hybrid is the standard arrangement, you're also welcome to work on-site full-time if you prefer. Our primary studio locations are in Albany, NY, and Irvine, CA.

Job Summary

The Release Manager is a seasoned professional who will be crucial in coordinating and supporting first-party submissions and releases for major platforms. They will collaborate with internal and external partners to set up bundles, promotions, and events, ensuring timely delivery of all necessary assets. Responsibilities will include preparing and submitting builds, downloadable content, and metadata to first parties and proactively addressing any issues that may arise during the approval process.

Additionally, you will configure and release products and updates, execute quality control checks, and provide expert technical guidance and platform support to development teams. They understand and support submission activities and participate in product development meetings. They have mastered the fundamental submission process, collaborating with stakeholders to meet objectives. Additionally, they resolve routine issues using department policies and train junior staff members.

What You Bring to the Table:

• Coordinate and support first-party submissions and releases (i.e., Microsoft, Sony, Nintendo, Apple, Google, Amazon)

• Collaborate with internal and external partners to set up bundles, promotions, and events

• Proactively gather all necessary assets required for timely delivery to first parties

• Prepare and submit builds, downloadable content, and metadata to first parties

• Communicate and help resolve issues that may hinder first-party approval

• Configure and release products and updates to development and live environments

• Execute and document quality control checks for submissions and releases

• Provide expert technical guidance and platform support to development teams

• Process, verify, and deliver builds to quality assurance teams across all supported platforms

• Ensure project tracking tools and documentation meet team standards and are up to data

• Keep stakeholders informed on all first-party policies and process changes

• Maintain archive of all final assets and supplemental materials submitted to first parties

• Effectively drive and facilitate group tasks to completion and promote a team environment

• Formulate strong relationships based on skills, knowledge, and trust with internal and external partners

• Continuously seek technical and process improvement opportunities

• Performs other duties as assigned

Minimum Requirements

• Minimum 5 years of experience in submitting AAA games to first parties required.

• Experience working with a global QA team structure preferred. Knowledge & Skills

• High School diploma or equivalent required. Bachelor’s Degree in a related field preferred

• Ability to maintain scripts to automate manual repetitive tasks

• Strong knowledge of all first party submission tools and platforms

• Proven track record of leading tasks and delivering on multiple simultaneous projects

• Solid understanding of software development processes and project management methodologies

• Proven ability to analyze and interpret data/workflows, recognize critical issues, and raise concerns

• Effective communication and collaboration skills in a team environment

Extra Points

• Technical requirements testing experience (TRC, XR, App Store Review Guidelines, etc.)

• ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) or equivalent

• Global age rating boards experience

• Project management certifications

• High level of gaming knowledge and/or skill

• Passion for Blizzard’s line of products and services

Your Platform

Best known for iconic video game universes including Warcraft®, Overwatch®, Diablo®, and StarCraft®, Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. (www.blizzard.com), a division of Activision Blizzard, which was acquired by Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), is a premier developer and publisher of entertainment experiences. Blizzard Entertainment has created some of the industry’s most critically acclaimed and genre-defining games over the last 30 years, with a track record that includes multiple Game of the Year awards. Blizzard Entertainment engages tens of millions of players around the world with titles available on PC via Battle.net®, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android.

Our World

Activision Blizzard, Inc., is one of the world's largest and most successful interactive entertainment companies and is at the intersection of media, technology and entertainment. We are home to some of the most beloved entertainment franchises including Call of Duty®, World of Warcraft®, Overwatch®, Diablo®, Candy Crush™ and Bubble Witch™. Our combined entertainment network delights hundreds of millions of monthly active users in 196 countries, making us the largest gaming network on the planet!

Our ability to build immersive and innovative worlds is only enhanced by diverse teams working in an inclusive environment. We aspire to have a culture where everyone can thrive in order to connect and engage the world through epic entertainment. We provide a suite of benefits that promote physical, emotional and financial well-being for ‘Every World’ - we’ve got our employees covered!

The videogame industry and therefore our business is fast-paced and will continue to evolve. As such, the duties and responsibilities of this role may be changed as directed by the Company at any time to promote and support our business and relationships with industry partners.

We love hearing from anyone who is enthusiastic about changing the games industry. Not sure you meet all qualifications? Let us decide! Research shows that women and members of other under-represented groups tend to not apply to jobs when they think they may not meet every qualification, when, in fact, they often do! We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and strongly encourage you to apply.

We are committed to working with and providing reasonable assistance to individuals with physical and mental disabilities. If you are a disabled individual requiring an accommodation to apply for an open position, please email your request to accommodationrequests@activisionblizzard.com. General employment questions cannot be accepted or processed here. Thank you for your interest.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status, among other characteristics.