Program Manager, Games Technology

Position Description:

RealNetworks, Inc. is a leading creator of digital media services and software such as Rhapsody, RealArcade, and RealPlayer. Consumers use our services and software to find, play, purchase, and manage free and premium digital music, games and videos. Broadcasters, media companies, network operators, and other enterprises use our products ands services to manage and deliver digital media to personal computers, mobile phones, and other consumer electronic devices.The RealArcade organization is looking for an experienced, action-oriented Program Manager to manage operational projects supporting key business areas of the RealArcade, the leading distribution service for downloadable games on the Internet.While every good program manager should have exceptional organization and people skills, this position calls for strong prioritization and technical capabilities as well. You should have managed multiple software development projects from start to completion, including requirements gathering, scheduling, spec writing, bug triaging, and ultimately shipping the project. You should also have a strong technical background and be able to contribute usefully to architectural discussions. You should have experience with consumer web sites or software that ships to consumers. Projects are generally 10 days to 6 weeks in duration.Responsibilities:• Manage operations project queue• Assess business team requests for technical feasibility and business priority Act as liaison between various individuals, groups and departments (i.e. software developers, marketing, operations, business teams, etc.)• Develop project plans and schedules and drive functional requirements reviews• Conduct kick-off, requirements and spec reviews, and other project meetings• Manage change within the project and evaluate risks and assess potential impacts on project delivery • Work with other program managers and program management leads to identify and address cross-project dependences • Contribute to master program schedule for product development releases Essential Functions: Description % of Time1. Scopes projects and writes functional specifications for the RealArcade service. 202. Works with both the development and marketing teams to gather and document requirements for service feature development (both technical improvements and new business initiatives). 203. Works with development and QA to create project plans and schedules for all projects in this area and manages the projects’ scope and timing. 154. Communicates status and manages delivery expectation of all projects to development and management teams. Provides options and solutions to problems as they arise in the development cycle. 155. Documentation of all new development and training of marketing teams for using new tools and features. 206. Development, documentation and implementation of improved work processes. 10QUANTITATIVE MEASURES:- Quality measures for delivered projects.- Setting and hitting project dates.- Completeness and usability of project documentation.- Project team effectiveness and morale.- Customer and user satisfaction.Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:Minimum:• Strong project management skills and knowledge of best practices.• Knowledgeable about all stages of the software development process. • Demonstrated ability to ship consumer-facing product. • Outstanding communication skills; both written and verbal. • Excellent organization and attention to detail.• Ability to react constructively to changes in requirements and deliverables.• Experience with team-based program management tools, such as Microsoft Project. Preferred:As above plus,• Demonstrated ability to work constructively with other groups on which you have a dependency.• Strong experience with process improvement techniques and principles. • Experience working with international teams.• Data migration experience.Education, Certification, and/or Training:Minimum:- Bachelor’s DegreePreferred:- Bachelor’s Degree or greater in computer science or equivalent.- Project management certification.Experience:Minimum:- At least four years of experience as a program, project, or development manager developing and shipping consumer facing applications or services for the PC (or equivalent)- Managed at least two web or Windows-based services, consumer applications, or equivalent through complete project lifecycles.- Produced a complete set of documentation for at least one project, including specification and schedule at a minimum.- Experience working in an operations environment - Experience running large-scale consumer facing websitesPreferred:- At least five years of experience as a program, project, or development manager developing and shipping consumer facing applications or services for the PC (or equivalent)- Managed four or more web or Windows-based services, consumer applications, or equivalent through complete project lifecycles.- Produced three or more sets of project documentation, including specification and schedule at a minimum.Physical Requirements/Working Conditions:- General office environment.- Fast paced development cycles.- Ability to work longer hours when necessary to meet deadlines.- 50% of time spent at desk using PC.- 50% of time in meetings and interacting with project team members.RealNetworks is the industry leader in bringing great puzzle, card, board, light action, and word games to nearly one hundred million people worldwide. Help build the future of casual gaming! The RealNetworks games technology team is looking for a program manager with demonstrated consumer software product or web experience, strong technical and project management skills, and who is passionate about defining and delivering great user experiences to a casual games audience. You'll be joining the team at a critical juncture: the development of a new global platform. RealNetworks is the industry leader in bringing great puzzle, card, board, light action, and word games to nearly one hundred million people worldwide. The games technology organization is looking for an experienced, creative, and highly motivated Program Manager to manage projects development needs of key business areas of the RealArcade, the leading distribution service for downloadable games on the Internet.While every good program manager should have solid organization and people skills, this position calls for exceptional planning and technical capabilities as well. You should have managed at least two major web or software development projects from start to completion, including requirements gathering, scheduling, spec writing, bug triaging, and ultimately shipping the project. You should also have a strong technical background and be able to contribute usefully to architectural discussions. Responsibilities:• Review and refine requirements, develop project plans and schedules and create functional specifications• Conduct project kick-offs, requirements and spec reviews, and other project meetings• Act as liaison between various individuals, groups and departments (i.e. software developers, marketing, operations, business teams, etc.)• Manage change within the project and evaluate risks and assess potential impacts on project delivery • Work with other program managers and program management leads to identify and address cross-project dependences • Contribute to master program schedule for product development releases Essential Functions: Description % of Time1. Scopes projects and writes functional specifications for the RealArcade service. 202. Works with both the development and marketing teams to gather and document requirements for service feature development (both technical improvements and new business initiatives). 203. Works with development and QA to create project plans and schedules for all projects in this area and manages the projects’ scope and timing. 154. Communicates status and manages delivery expectation of all projects to development and management teams. Provides options and solutions to problems as they arise in the development cycle. 205. Documentation of all new development and training of marketing teams for using new tools and features. 206. Development, documentation and implementation of improved work processes. 5QUANTITATIVE MEASURES:Include information here regarding how the position will be measured (i.e. sales quota, call volume, etc.)- Quality measures for delivered projects.- Setting and hitting project dates.- Completeness and usability of project documentation.- Project team effectiveness and morale.- Customer and user satisfaction. RealNetworks, Inc is proud to offer our full time employees an extensive benefits package, including vacation, medical, dental, vision, matching 401K, an employee stock purchase program and subsidized commuting options. Additional benefits include our charitable matching program, learning and development programs, employee wellness plans and more!RealNetworks is an equal opportunity employer (EOE)

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