Overview

At Microsoft, our goal is to enable every individual and organization on the planet to achieve more. In the Game Content & Studios (GCS) division, we support this mission by bringing joy and community of gaming to everyone. To accomplish this, it is essential that our gaming vision and strategy are clearly understood by the teams that make up Microsoft Gaming. From our skilled studio personnel to our dynamic marketing and sales teams, and everyone in between, every team member feels connected to the goals we strive to achieve.

As a Release Manager we build effective business relationships with game publishers and developers, to prepare them effectively and proactively for the certification, release and lifecycle management of their games. In a constantly changing industry, we collaborate to identify trends and create consistently improved processes across all of our platforms. This opportunity impacts the overall Xbox and Windows gaming experience for our customers and publishers.

Responsibilities

This role demands someone who is a detail-oriented self-starter, great at prioritizing and organizing their deliverables, has exceptional communication skills and is a proven set of program management skills. You should excel at problem solving, breaking down complex issues into action plans and be willing to jump in to drive tasks to a successful conclusion. You should be comfortable working with partners at all levels both inside and outside of Microsoft and be able to influence at multiple levels from peers to Senior Management.

Communication/Relationship Management

Act as the primary contact and intermediary between internal and external submission partners.
Demonstrate accountability in fostering and maintaining strong and effective counterpart and global V-team relationships.
Interpret and communicate submission results, provide frequent status updates, maintain scheduling and oversee all aspects of a successful certification pass.
Be a willing student and teacher with your peers amidst a complicated business that is rapidly moving and constantly changing. Provide education to internal and external partners.
Deliver tough messages diplomatically (i.e. failing results in certification, impact of slipping dates) and quickly drive toward solutions to problems.
Positively influence publishers and Microsoft groups by planning for and effectively managing complex and mission-critical dates.
Build and navigate a robust corporate network. Establish and maintain relationships with internal resources while seeking out opportunities to leverage knowledge when advocating for publishers.

Technical Expertise/Troubleshooting

Troubleshoot and solve complex problems of a mid-level technical nature related to submissions and publishing.
Understand technical details of each submission and communicate various aspects of the certification process to the associated publishers/developers and internal teams.
Actively seek out opportunities to increase the breadth and depth of knowledge in relation to the business, process and operational needs.
Demonstrate problem-solving abilities, particularly when confronted with time-sensitive and ambiguous issues that require collaborative evaluation and resolution.

Advocacy – Business Insight/Drive Results/Process Performance

Drive change and efficiency with internal and external partners.
Provide creative solutions to difficult problems under tight deadlines.
Coordinate and review dozens of submissions per month while seeking to reduce the pass-fail ratio of our publishers’ submissions.
Identify process improvements and define requirements for current and future tools and process needs.
Provide compelling business rationale to Engineering, Platform, Certification etc. to successfully resolve publisher issues/requests and drive future improvements.
Provide superior engagement documentation that enables business agility, deep business intelligence, knowledge sharing and improved submission quality.
Consistently demonstrate the aptitude to proactively prepare publishers for submissions.
Manage the integration of multiple diverse processes across functional teams into a seamless process that benefits publishers and across Microsoft.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor's Degree AND experience in production roles in gaming or entertainment industry, or other multi-disciplinary leadership OR equivalent experience.
Experience in development and shipping of at least one product release.

Preferred Qualifications:

History of making important business decisions with confidence and persuading others.
Ability to scope problems by identifying key issues, inputs, stakeholders, and outcomes.
Excellent problem resolution and decision-making skills.
A passion for gaming, the Xbox platform and the gaming industry.
Strong time-management skills with the ability to handle fluctuating priorities and projects in a consistent manner without a decline in performance or advocacy.
Strong aptitude for effective computer-based tools utilization.
Know the Xbox One and Windows gaming platforms including Xbox LIVE and scenarios that might influence publisher product release decisions.
Knowledge of Sony and/or Nintendo platforms and release systems is desirable but not required.

In the end, it’s the people of Game Content & Studios that make this place truly special. When you join, you’ll find yourself in the company of incredibly bright, warm, and creative individuals – all united and working toward a single goal. Come help us reach it!

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Benefits/perks listed below may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Microsoft and the country where you work.

This position will be open for a minimum of 5 days, with applications accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance with religious accommodations and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations.

Release Manager, Game Content & Studios