Release Manager - Xbox Game Studios

Overview
Do you enjoy challenging projects with high visibility and impact?
Do you thrive on managing multiple projects simultaneously and fostering effective relationships?
Do you have a passion for gaming?
If you do, then come and join our team!
ABOUT THE XBOX STUDIOS SERVICES TEAM (XSS)
XSS (Xbox Studios Services) is an Xbox First Party Development Central Service Team. Our team is collaborative, fast moving, and passionate about helping our game developers achieve more. We support all Xbox First Party Studios IP. Our objective is to help forge the future of our IP, pushing the limits of Xbox's entertainment platforms and devices. We are comprised of a diverses and inclusive team with industry expertise in Platform and Content, working cohesively to delight the Xbox fan base and shatter expectations of what is possible.
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.
Microsoft's mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. As employees we come together with a growth mindset, innovate to empower others, and collaborate to realize our shared goals. Each day we build on our values of respect, integrity, and accountability to create a culture of inclusion where everyone can thrive at work and beyond.
Responsibilities
Communication/Relationship Management

• Act as the primary contact and intermediary between internal and external submission partners.
• Demonstrate accountability in fostering and maintaining 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.

Other

• Embody our Culture and Values

Qualifications
Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree AND 2+ years 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:

• Experience making business decisions with confidence and persuading others.
• Ability to scope problems by identifying key issues, inputs, stakeholders, and outcomes.
• Problem resolution and decision-making skills.
• Time-management skills with the ability to handle fluctuating priorities and projects in a consistent manner without a decline in performance or advocacy.
• Aptitude for effective computer-based tools utilization.
• A passion for inclusive and diverse games.
• Know the various gaming platforms and scenarios that might influence publisher product release decisions.

Game Producers IC3 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $94,300 - $182,600 per year. There is a different range applicable to specific work locations, within the San Francisco Bay area and New York City metropolitan area, and the base pay range for this role in those locations is USD $120,900 - $198,600 per year.
Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here: https://careers.microsoft.com/us/en/us-corporate-pay
Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request via the Accommodation request form.
Benefits/perks listed below may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Microsoft and the country where you work.
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