Associate Program Manager | Irvine, CA

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An Associate Program Manager is a professional with foundational knowledge in project and program management. They support various programs, services, and initiatives related to specific products and systems, focusing on software quality, automation, and process improvement. They work closely with development teams, product managers, and stakeholders to understand needs and assist in defining scope, ROI, roadmaps, metrics, and timelines. They help establish standards for cross-functional teams, assist in managing schedules and resources, and contribute to the strategic vision for quality assurance. They assist in addressing program-related issues, support team members' performance, and promote software development best practices. Additionally, they may assist in developing training materials, participating in workshops and meetings, and play a role in delivering compelling gaming experiences for customers and internal partners.

This role is anticipated to be a hybrid work position, with some work on-site and some work-from-home. The home studio for this role is Irvine, CA.

What You Bring to the Table

Priorities can often change in a fast-paced environment like ours, so this role includes, but is not limited to, the following responsibilities:

• Support quality assurance programs, services, and initiatives across multiple products and platforms, ensuring adherence to quality standards and reporting.
• Assist in managing projects and initiatives alongside regional teams, cross-functional partners, and QA teams, monitoring project schedules, scope, and progress.
• Support continuous improvement efforts and the adoption of best practices.
• Assist in defining reporting metrics and creating data-based visuals to provide insights to business and technology teams. Participate in team and department meetings to share updates and information.
• Collaborate with development leads to offer quality-related services for assigned products and areas.
• Support the assigned team by assisting with performance management and contributing to a positive, collaborative work environment.
• Participate in efforts to build synergy, trust, collaboration, and inclusivity within the organization. Assist in managing relationships with key partners and colleagues.
• Support the addressing of requirements and risks throughout the software development life cycle (SDLC).
• Assist in monitoring metrics affecting product and team quality, analyzing product quality and usability, and reporting on risks.
• Review Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and provide input on optimizing work or resources to enhance test quality and customer experience.
• Assist in providing resources and oversight for adherence to master test plans for products. Contribute to the long-term QA vision and communicate with stakeholders.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Experience

• Minimum 3 years’ experience in Quality Assurance, Engineering, Product/Program Management or a similar role is required.
• Experience supporting scrum teams and stakeholders in adopting new ways of working, including familiar methodologies and trends in software development and project management preferred.

Knowledge & Skills

• High School diploma or equivalent required. Bachelor’s Degree in a related field preferred.
• Familiarity with project management processes, ability to assist in organizing software development teams, and contribute to a welcoming working environment (office and remote).
• Basic knowledge of Confluence, JIRA, and Microsoft Office apps (including Project and Visio).
• Ability to assist in solving unexpected problems, support prioritization for a cross-functional team, and contribute to risk identification and mitigation in a fast-paced environment.
• Good verbal and written communication skills. Ability to present information effectively to different audiences.

EXTRA POINTS

• Thorough understanding of Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), specifically QA processes in agile and waterfall development environments.
• Experience with software development and testing methodologies and tools.
• IT or software testing certifications.
• Coding knowledge: XML/HTML, JavaScript, Python, Java, C/C++/C#, SQL
• Certifications: PMP, Scrum Master and/or Product Owner, ISTQB.
• Familiarity with Blizzard Entertainment line of products and services.
• Scripting or software tool creation experience. White-box testing experience.
• High level of gaming knowledge and/or skill.
• Passion for Blizzard’s line of products and services.

Your Platform

Best known for iconic video game universes including Warcraft®, Overwatch®, Diablo®, and StarCraft®, Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. (www.blizzard.com), a division of Activision Blizzard, which was acquired by Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), is a premier developer and publisher of entertainment experiences. Blizzard Entertainment has created some of the industry’s most critically acclaimed and genre-defining games over the last 30 years, with a track record that includes multiple Game of the Year awards. Blizzard Entertainment engages tens of millions of players around the world with titles available on PC via Battle.net®, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android.

Our World

Activision Blizzard, Inc., is one of the world's largest and most successful interactive entertainment companies and is at the intersection of media, technology and entertainment. We are home to some of the most beloved entertainment franchises including Call of Duty ®, World of Warcraft® , Overwatch ®, Diablo ®, Candy Crush ™ and Bubble Witch ™. Our combined entertainment network delights hundreds of millions of monthly active users in 196 countries, making us the largest gaming network on the planet!

Our ability to build immersive and innovate worlds is only enhanced by diverse teams working in an inclusive environment. We aspire to have a culture where everyone can thrive in order to connect and engage the world through epic entertainment. We provide a suite of benefits that promote physical, emotional and financial well-being for ‘Every World’ - we’ve got our employees covered!

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.

We love hearing from anyone who is enthusiastic about changing the games industry. Not sure you meet all qualifications? Let us decide! Research shows that women and members of other under-represented groups tend to not apply to jobs when they think they may not meet every qualification, when, in fact, they often do! We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and strongly encourage you to apply.

We are committed to working with and providing reasonable assistance to individuals with physical and mental disabilities. If you are a disabled individual requiring an accommodation to apply for an open position, please email your request to accommodationrequests@activisionblizzard.com. General employment questions cannot be accepted or processed here. Thank you for your interest.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status, among other characteristics.

Rewards

We provide a suite of benefits that promote physical, emotional and financial well-being for ‘Every World’ - we’ve got our employees covered! Subject to eligibility requirements, the Company offers comprehensive benefits including:

• 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;
• If the Company requires that you move geographic locations for the job, then you may also be eligible for relocation assistance.

Eligibility to participate in these benefits may vary for part time and temporary full-time employees and interns with the Company. You can learn more by visiting https://www.benefitsforeveryworld.com/ .