Manager, Release Management

Release Manager, London

WHO WE ARE

Founded in 2005, 2K Games is a global video game company, publishing titles developed by some of the most influential game development studios in the world. Our studios responsible for developing 2K’s portfolio of world-class games across multiple platforms, include Visual Concepts, Firaxis, Hangar 13, CatDaddy, Cloud Chamber, and HB Studios. Our portfolio of titles is expanding due to our global strategic plan, building and acquiring exciting studios whose content continues to inspire all of us! 2K publishes titles in today’s most popular gaming genres, including sports, shooters, action, role-playing, strategy, casual, and family entertainment.

Our team of engineers, marketers, artists, writers, data scientists, producers, problem solvers and doers, are the professional publishing stewards of our growing library of critically-acclaimed franchises such as NBA 2K, Battleborn, BioShock, Borderlands, The Darkness, Mafia, Sid Meier’s Civilization, WWE 2K, and XCOM.

At 2K, we pride ourselves on creating an inclusive work environment, which means encouraging our teams to Come as You Are and do your best work! We are dedicated to diversity and inclusion, and want our community of candidates to reflect this commitment. We encourage all qualified applicants to explore our global positions. 2K is headquartered in Novato, California and is a wholly owned label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO).

WHAT WE NEED: 

A Release Manager to manage the 1st Party Submission process for assigned projects, which includes the submission of metadata and code. Reports to the Senior Release Manager.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for owning release management process for specific products
• Submit code and metadata assets to first parties such as Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo
• Create submissions work back schedules
• Flag schedule risks with Core Teams, and PD while also creating mitigation plans
• Communicate regularly with PD and Marketing team to align regarding code status metadata, and submissions timing
• Coordinate with CS regarding customer related issues
• Notify core teams and leaders of upcoming holidays and closures, documentation and/or requirement changes, and other important items that could otherwise impact Submission schedules and approvals
• Coordinate with counterparts across departments to ensure they’re aware of project schedules and relay materials necessary for setup configurations to be completed ahead of project deadlines.
• Provide clear concise communications with external First Party, Take-Two, and managerial level contacts about the needs of the project.
• Provide requests and information on metadata setup actions that require First Party configuration (Revenue SKU Config, Custom Pricing Unlock, Pre-Order Application Forms, Disc Requests)
• Audit submission work of Associate Managers
• Kicks off Release Management process with Concept Approval submissions
• Escalation point for game launches / technical needs / submission schedule concerns
• Schedule out Technician’s project work with other Release Managers
• Quarterly performance reviews and career development of direct reports
• Raise disciplinary issues as appropriate
• Actively participate in recruiting and interview process
• Collaborate with other Release Managers to share best practices
• Collaborates with other Release Managers to track overall health of Submission Team, coming up proactive ways to achieve and maintain high job satisfaction within the team
• Live, promote, enforce amongst your team and personally demonstrate the 2K Values
• Participate in OKR process
• People Manager for assigned Associate RM’s, Leads and Technicians. Includes conducting 1 on 1’s and performance management tasks  

Knowledge and Skills

• Basic familiarity with platform guidelines and related processes for at least one platform.
• Proven experience collaborating with global teams to ensure consistent processes across regions.
• Solid understanding of Certification and Release challenges, including how cross-functional teams collaborate to address them.
• Ability to create and configure game, bundles and production to storefront portals
• Ability to manage competing timelines and information needs on multiple projects and platforms at once
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, internally & externally.
• Knowledge of bug database systems, QA process, test plan creation, and bug writing process.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of work involved with 1st Party Submissions on the publisher side (Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo).
• Hardworking, reliable, punctual, flexibility to work unsociable hours depending on deadlines.
• Knowledge of MS Office suite
• Technically proficient with PCs, gaming consoles, and related hardware.
• Ability to liaise with other departments
• Hardworking, reliable, punctual, flexibility to work unsociable hours depending on deadlines

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelors or Associates degree preferred, High School diploma or equivalent minimum
• Excellent organization and time management skill with the ability to handle multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously, and the flexibility to support an environment where details can change quickly
• Strong leadership skills
• Well-developed interpersonal, communication skills, and management skills.
• Reliable with the ability to work in a team environment.
• Attention to detail and positive personality to foster excellent working relationships

Please note that 2K Games and its studios never uses instant messaging apps or personal email accounts to contact prospective employees or conduct interviews and when emailing, only use 2K.com accounts. 
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