Release & Testing Manager

Job Description

Horizon Media, founded in 1989 by Bill Koenigsberg, is recognized as one of the most innovative marketing and advertising firms. We are headquartered in New York City, with offices in Los Angeles and Toronto. A leader in driving business solutions for marketers, Horizon is known for its highly personal approach to client service. Renowned for its incredible culture, Horizon is consistently named to all the prestigious annual Best Places to Work lists published by Fortune, AdAge, Crain’s New York Business and Los Angeles Business Journal. Together we are building a place of belonging. 
 
At Horizon, we understand the value that different perspectives can bring to our clients and culture, so we strive for an environment where our employees feel welcomed, safe and empowered. We value YOU and believe that your authentic voice and unique perspective allows us to create a more rewarding culture, and experience, together. 
 
Our simple recipe for success? We hire talented people (thinkers, doers, dreamers, makers), challenge them and give them every opportunity to grow. 
 
Who You Are 
 
As the Release and Testing Manager at Horizon, you will spearhead all testing initiatives to uphold the utmost standards of quality and reliability in our enterprise-grade SaaS products. This pivotal role involves managing client environments, orchestrating the release process, and making critical strategic decisions on product releases. You will thrive in this position if you possess a robust background in software testing, release management, and the adeptness to lead cross-functional teams within a dynamic software development setting. 

Your primary focus will be on Horizon’s flagship product, the blu. Connected Marketing Platform. This proprietary data platform is engineered to enhance media buying and audience targeting with AI-driven insights, integrating diverse data sets to refine audience segmentation, optimize media expenditures, and boost campaign efficacy. Key features include privacy-compliant identity resolution and predictive analytics, empowering brands to connect with consumers more accurately across various media channels. 

What You’ll Do 
 
Key Strategic Responsibilities: 
 
Test Plans and Execution 

• Execute Test Plans and Schedules: 

• Create comprehensive test plans, timelines, and schedules in coordination with project managers and stakeholders. 

• Define the scope, objectives, and resources needed for testing activities. 

• Coordinate Testing Activities: 

• Act as the central point of contact for all testing-related communications. 

• Schedule and manage testing activities across teams, including development, quality assurance (QA), and end-users. 

• Stakeholder Engagement: 

• Collaborate with business analysts, developers, QA teams, and product owners to align testing objectives with project requirements. 

• Ensure stakeholders are informed of testing progress, risks, and results. 

Quality Assurance and Reporting 

• Ensure Testing Quality: 

• Validate that testing meets predefined quality standards and project requirements. 

• Ensure compliance with company policies, standards, and regulatory requirements. 

• Prepare Test Reports: 

• Compile and present test metrics, defect logs, and overall testing outcomes. 

• Provide recommendations based on test results to improve product quality. 

Execution and Monitoring  

• Manage Test Environments: 

• Oversee the setup, configuration, and maintenance of test environments. 

• Ensure test environments closely replicate production environments for accurate results. 

• Test Case Management: 

• Review and approve test cases, scripts, and scenarios to ensure comprehensive test coverage. 

• Ensure test data is prepared and validated for various testing phases (unit, integration, system, user acceptance). 

• Monitor Testing Progress: 

• Track the execution of test cases, report progress, and resolve bottlenecks or issues. 

• Escalate risks and defects to relevant teams or stakeholders promptly. 

• Defect Management: 

• Oversee the logging, tracking, and resolution of defects. 

• Facilitate discussions between testers and developers to address defects efficiently. 

Product Feedback 

• Feedback Loop 

• Serve as a key feedback loop to product to prioritize bugs, issues, feature requests and enhancements. 

Job Requirements  

• BS/BA degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or related field/ equivalent experience. 

• Advanced certifications in Project Management (e.g., PMP), Quality Assurance (e.g., CSTE), or relevant fields are preferred. 

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in software testing and quality assurance with at least 2 years in a managerial or leadership role. 

• Proven track record of managing enterprise-grade SaaS products through multiple release cycles. 

• Experience in setting up and managing complex test environments that mirror production systems.  

• Strong knowledge of software QA methodologies, tools, and processes. 

• Strong leadership qualities with the ability to motivate and inspire team members. 

• Detail-oriented with a keen eye for identifying potential issues before they become problems. 

• Flexible and adaptable, capable of adjusting to new challenges in a dynamic work environment 

• Familiarity with industry-standard compliance and regulatory frameworks relevant to software development and data security. 

• Adept at problem-solving and troubleshooting complex software issues. 

• Ability to analyze data and technical details to improve testing practices and product quality. 

Horizon Media is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace.  We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.

Salary Range

A successful applicant’s actual base salary may vary based on factors such as individual’s skill sets, experience, training, education,  licensure/certifications, and qualifications for the role.  As an organization, we take an aptitude and competency-based hiring approach.  We provide a competitive total rewards package including a discretionary bonus and a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, retirement savings plans, company paid holidays and unlimited paid time off (PTO), mental health and wellness resources, pet insurance, childcare resources, identity theft insurance, fertility assistance programs, and fitness reimbursement.