Manager, Porting & PMO

About the Role

The Manager, Porting & PMO oversees all operational functions related to game porting, release management, localization QA, and project lifecycle coordination. This role is also responsible for establishing and leading the company’s Project Management Office (PMO). As the PMO leader, the Manager will design processes, documentation standards, communication frameworks, and project governance structures that guide game titles from acquisition through release. This includes building master schedules, defining workflows, implementing project tracking systems, and ensuring consistent cross-department alignment.

The ideal candidate is a highly organized leader with strong experience in multi-platform game publishing, cross-functional project management, and Japanese-language communication. This role requires a proactive mindset, excellent operational judgment, and the ability to guide teams through complex submission, QA, and release processes.

Responsibilities

• PMO – Title Lifecycle Management
  • Establish the company’s PMO function, including frameworks, workflows, documentation standards, and governance models.
  • Create master templates for schedules, milestone trackers, risk logs, communication plans, and project reporting using project management tools (Monday) and ensure consistent cross-team usage.
  • Define how projects move through each lifecycle stage.
  • Train internal teams on PMO processes and ensure adoption across departments.
• Porting & Submission Management
  • Oversee submission workflows across Steam, EGS, GOG, Microsoft, Nintendo, and PlayStation.
  • Ensure all platform-specific requirements (age ratings, compliance documents, metadata) are met.
  • Guide the team in coordinating with porting vendors on build deliveries, technical requirements, and certification timelines.
  • Review and approve submission plans, resubmission strategies, and platform communications.
• Storefront Setup & Metadata Management
  • Oversee storefront setup across all platforms, ensuring accuracy in metadata, pricing, assets, and Japanese-language content.
  • Ensure internal documentation for storefront requirements is maintained and updated.
  • Approve final storefront configurations prior to submission.
• Localization QA & Compliance Oversight
  • Supervise LQA and compliance testing processes to ensure localized content accuracy and platform certification readiness.
  • Ensure QA standards, test plans, and reporting structures are consistently applied.
  • Support the QA Lead in implementing process improvements, testing methodologies, and video capture standards.
• Licensor & External Partner Communication
  • Support and guide team members in communication with Japanese licensors, platform holders, and external vendors.
  • Ensure timely approvals, clear updates, and proper documentation of all external communications.
  • Maintain strong relationships with platform partners and identify promotional opportunities.
• Post-Launch Operations & Promotional Support
  • Oversee patch submissions, hotfix coordination, and live-title monitoring.
  • Stay vigilant for new 1st-party digital sales programs, promotional opportunities, and platform-specific support initiatives across Nintendo, PlayStation, and Xbox, ensuring timely communication to internal teams.
  • Ensure promotional campaigns, bundles, and platform sales programs are executed accurately and on schedule.
• Process Improvement & Operational Strategy
  • Identify inefficiencies and implement workflow improvements across QA, porting, release, and PMO operations.
  • Introduce new tools, documentation standards, and methodologies to enhance team performance.
  • Maintain and refine master operational documentation for submissions, QA, and release processes.

Requirements

• Business-level fluency in both English and Japanese, with the ability to communicate professionally in writing and conversation.
• Bachelor’s degree in Game Production, Business, Japanese Language, Communications, Project Management, or a related field; or 10+ years of experience in game publishing, digital operations, or project coordination—preferably in a multi-platform environment.
• 5+ years of leadership or team-management experience.
• Familiarity with platform submission tools and dashboards (e.g., Steamworks, Epic Dev Portal, Partner Center, Nintendo Dev Portal, PlayStation Partners).
• Knowledge of submission processes including age ratings, certification/lotcheck, and metadata handling.
• Highly organized with excellent multitasking and communication skills.
• Comfortable using project management tools (e.g., JIRA, Confluence) and spreadsheets for version tracking and scheduling.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects with tight deadlines.
• Passion for video games and familiarity with Japanese titles.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working directly with first-party platform holders (Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo) or PC storefront partners.
• Familiarity with build delivery pipelines and version control systems (e.g., Perforce, Git).
• Understanding of localization workflows or cross-region product configurations.
• Knowledge of ESRB, PEGI, USK, and other international age rating processes.

Key Attributes

• Strong passion for introducing game titles to the market and a love for Japanese games.
• Solid verbal and written English communication, exceptional presentation, and negotiation skills.
• Strong planning and organizing skills, including time management and ability to meet schedules and deadlines.
• Team-oriented with respect and integrity.
• Ability to juggle multiple tasks with competing deadlines and prioritize based on urgency and importance.
• Critical thinking, problem-solving, and a good sense for numbers/mathematics.
• High stress tolerance and detail-oriented.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

Work is typically performed either in an office environment with a moderate noise level or at your home. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is required to frequently sit and occasionally must stand, walk, use hands and fingers, and may lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities include the ability to read and analyze data in hard copy and on a computer screen, measure, or identify using eyesight and adjust vision focus. Abilities to communicate verbally and in writing to individuals and groups.

Benefits

• Health, Dental & Vision coverage (effective first of the month following 30 days waiting period).
• 401k plan (eligibility requires 3 months of service).
• Paid holidays.
• 88 hours of vacation in the first year.
• 56 hours of sick leave per year.
• Discretionary year-end bonus (may be available).