Senior Technical Program Manager - Central Technology (Temporary)

Your mission is to serve as the strategic partner for game development studios in online services, engine tools, graphics, systems engineering, security, and infrastructure. You’ll 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. Additionally, you’ll act as the bridge to the publishing organization to align game technical development with 1st party management, analytics, product management, marketing, and public relations.

Responsibilities

• Support the creation, development, and execution of production initiatives, projects, pathways, and overall plans; provide supervision and support through the full operations lifecycle.
• Create a culture that promotes collaboration, continuous feedback, support, and empowerment.
• Set clear goals for the team, hold employees accountable for deliverables, and recognize and reward strong performance.
• Identify risks early and often, suggesting mitigation strategies that account for multiple solution paths.
• Collaborate effectively with internal teams and development studios within the video game industry—your success depends on these relationships.
• 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.
• Analyze the intersection of business needs and technology initiatives across the Activision Publishing (AP) portfolio, including game, infrastructure, and other business operations.
• Liaise with first-party and internal teams to track efforts, analyze data and user experience, and ensure work progresses. Provide reports to senior leadership to align efforts across the studio ecosystem while maintaining relationships at the Activision Blizzard King (ABK) level to represent Central Technology 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.

Requirements

• 5+ years of technical program management or similar experience.
• Deep experience with each stage of the software development lifecycle, from inception, design, and implementation through to QA and deployment.
• Experience practicing agile development and strong working knowledge of various project management techniques.
• Experience with project management tools such as Atlassian JIRA, Trello, Confluence, MS SharePoint, MS Project, Smartsheet, etc.

Skills

• Able to proactively navigate roadblocks with effective solutions, keeping projects moving efficiently.
• Can break down complex projects into manageable phased deliverables.
• Must be able to communicate concisely and effectively.
• Experience in game development or game publishing environments (preferred).
• Familiarity with working alongside software engineering teams.
• Formal project management qualifications or accreditation (a plus).
• Familiarity with data protection laws and regulatory requirements (a plus).

About the Team

Activision Central Tech supports development studios and their titles. Comprised of seven main teams, we specialize in big data, privacy and security, motion capture and animation pipeline technologies, graphics, build and infrastructure for studio development and data centers, optimization, systems programming, and online services including matchmaking and networking. Central Tech is distributed globally with offices across the U.S., Canada, England, Ireland, and Japan. Most teams include both engineering and research talent, allowing us to focus on both current and future needs. Our engineers assist with title development and facilitate knowledge sharing between studios, while our researchers stay action-oriented and closely connected to studio needs.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, health savings account (HSA), or health reimbursement account (HRA).
• Healthcare and dependent care spending accounts.
• Life and AD&D insurance, disability insurance.
• 401(k) with Company match, tuition reimbursement, charitable donation matching.
• Paid holidays, vacation, sick time, floating holidays, compassion and bereavement leaves, parental leave.
• Mental health and wellbeing programs, fitness programs, free and discounted games.
• Various voluntary benefit programs (e.g., supplemental life & disability, legal service, ID protection, rental insurance).
• Relocation assistance if required to move geographic locations for the job.

Pay

In the U.S., the standard base pay range for this role is $94,580.00 - $174,988.00 annually. The specific range and offer will be based on relevant experience, performance, and work location. Employees in this role may also be eligible for incentive compensation, though it is not guaranteed.

Schedule

This role is anticipated to be a hybrid work position, with the home studio located in Santa Monica, CA.