Senior Technical Program Manager - Central Technology (Temporary)

Activision Blizzard • Los Angeles, CA

4d • $94,580 - $174,988 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Central Technology team serves as the strategic partner for game development studios in the areas of online services, engine tools, graphics, systems engineering, security, and infrastructure. We support all aspects of the development process from build pipeline to launch, collaborating with studios on best practices in technology and architecture to help build franchises and the Activision IP portfolio. All the while, we also serve as the bridge to the publishing organization to align game technical development with 1st party management, analytics, product management, marketing, and public relations. This role is anticipated to be a hybrid work position, and the home studio for this role is Santa Monica, CA. 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.
This role includes, but is not limited to, the following responsibilities:
Support the creation, development, and execution of production initiatives, projects, pathways, and overall plan; continue to provide supervision and support through full operations life-cycle
Create a culture that promotes collaboration, continuous feedback, support and empowerment. Set clear goals for the team and hold employees accountable for deliverables; recognize and reward employees for strong performance
The ability to identify risks early and often and suggest mitigation strategies that are thought through and take into account multiple paths to a solution.
Experience effectively collaborating with internal teams and development studios within the video game industry. You will only be as successful as your relationship with the development teams allows.
You will be the main point of contact for one of the biggest entertainment franchises in the world and requires best in class and timely communications across all mediums (emails, phone, meetings, presentations, etc.)
Engage in various strategic technology planning and analytics to develop key processes, procedures, and recommendations across Activision and its studios
Provide analysis of the intersection of business needs and technology initiatives across the AP portfolio, including both game, infrastructure, and other aspects of business operation.
Liaison with first party as well as internal teams to track efforts, perform analysis on data and user experience, and ensure work is moving forward. Provide reports to senior leadership to ensure they are apprised and help align efforts across the studio ecosystem while maintaining relationships at the ABK level to represent Central Technology in the wider business externally.
Provide analysis showing areas of strategic weakness and improvement, as well as tracking the surface area between Activision and the broader industry
Liaison with senior business leadership to present and explain technical problems within the context of their business impact.

Requirements

• 5+ years of technical program management or similar experience.
• Deep experience with each stage of software development lifecycle, from inception, design and implementation, through to QA and deployment.
• Experience in practicing agile development practices, and strong working knowledge of a variety of project management techniques.
• Experience with project management tools such as Atlassian JIRA, Trello, Confluence, MS SharePoint, MS Project, Smartsheet, etc.
• Able to proactively navigate roadblocks with effective solutions, keeping projects moving efficiently.
• Can breakdown complex projects into manageable phased deliverables.
• Must be able to communicate concisely and effectively.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in game development or game publishing environments
• Familiarity with working as part of and alongside software engineering teams.
• Formal project management qualifications or accreditation.
• Familiarity with data protection laws and regulatory requirements a plus.

Responsibilities

• Support the creation, development, and execution of production initiatives, projects, pathways, and overall plan; continue to provide supervision and support through full operations life-cycle
• Create a culture that promotes collaboration, continuous feedback, support and empowerment. Set clear goals for the team and hold employees accountable for deliverables; recognize and reward employees for strong performance
• Identify risks early and often and suggest mitigation strategies that are thought through and take into account multiple paths to a solution.
• Effectively collaborate with internal teams and development studios within the video game industry.
• Serve as the main point of contact for one of the biggest entertainment franchises in the world, requiring best in class and timely communications across all mediums (emails, phone, meetings, presentations, etc.)
• Engage in strategic technology planning and analytics to develop key processes, procedures, and recommendations across Activision and its studios.
• Provide analysis of the intersection of business needs and technology initiatives across the AP portfolio, including game, infrastructure, and other aspects of business operation.
• Liaise with first party and internal teams to track efforts, perform analysis on data and user experience, and ensure work is moving forward.
• Provide reports to senior leadership to ensure they are apprised and help align efforts across the studio ecosystem while maintaining relationships at the ABK level to represent Central Technology in the wider business externally.
• Provide analysis showing areas of strategic weakness and improvement, as well as tracking the surface area between Activision and the broader industry.
• Liaise with senior business leadership to present and explain technical problems within the context of their business impact.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, health savings account or health reimbursement account, healthcare spending accounts, dependent care spending accounts, life and AD&D insurance, disability insurance
• 401(k) with Company match, tuition reimbursement, charitable donation matching
• Paid holidays and vacation, paid sick time, floating holidays, compassion and bereavement leaves, parental leave
• Mental health & wellbeing programs, fitness programs, free and discounted games, and a variety of other voluntary benefit programs like supplemental life & disability, legal service, ID protection, rental insurance, and others
• Relocation assistance

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed