Electronic Arts

We are EA

And we make games – how cool is that? In fact, we entertain millions of people across the globe with the most amazing and immersive interactive software in the industry. But making games is not a walk in the park. That’s why we employ the most creative, passionate people in the business. 

The Team

Global Operations are the trusted operational partner that deliver EA content across all channels, platforms and business models to our global network of players.

Within Global Operations, the Planning team plays a crucial role in translating EA's content plans into operational plans that can be implemented by our dedicated teams.

The team comprises two primary competencies: Readiness Management and Planning Management, with a singular focus on building delivery plans that ensure our content is delivered across all platforms and channels.

Our goals are:

• Smooth execution - Take pride in quality through repeatable and efficient requirements, plans and execution
• Lead the Dynamics - Build maximum efficiency and speed into our plans and processes and the way we work, while influencing the inbound requirements to maximise successful outcomes.
• Mutual Success - We win as a team through proactive communications and visibility of the status and challenges with our partners.
  
  

The Role 

The Planning Manager role is necessary to ensuring that projects run smoothly and to delivering projects using the highest standards across a global team.

We are looking for a project manager experienced in delivering projects by building relationships, managing through influence, creating and implementing processes and supporting documentation and post-mortem processes.

You will report to the Senior Planning manager and collaborate in the operational delivery of a portfolio of HD titles over their entire lifecycle and will partner with the Senior Planning Manager and the Readiness Manager to lead the execution of operations processes and managing planning dependencies.

The Planning Manager focuses on:

• Defining and refining an operations project plan, and tracking multi-team delivery for the release of EA content into storefronts and channels across all HD platforms.
• Leading projects that span across multiple operational teams, aligning  schedule requirements and providing proactive status updates and risk assessments on the status of each title throughout the life-cycle.
• Facilitating seamless collaboration with partner teams to ensure real-time updates and accurate tracking of dates and status, ensuring live reflection of project progress.
• Managing schedule delivery status and tracking risks for each title.
• Maintaining the master schedule within 24 hours of updates so that schedule risks can be flagged early and actions taken to resolve them.
• Monitoring progress on Global Operations JaaS tickets (BAU, Direct and Live Issues) to guarantee a smooth delivery and execution and keep informed of the latest status and general health of each release event.
• Collaborating to continuous improvement of all internal processes by collecting the necessary data to inform retrospective decks and launch status notifications. 

Responsibilities

• You will partner with the Senior Planning Manager and the Operational Readiness Manager  to create a holistic perspective of the tasks, incorporating both external intent and operational capability.
• You will manage the update of important Planning documentation such as the Project Map, Project Tracker and Project Plan.
• You will be in charge of completing real-time updates of data in Project Management tools.
• Forge trusting relationships with internal operational teams to manage all deliverables as a single cohesive unit, aligning on priorities and ensuring a smooth execution.
• Together with operational leads, be collectively responsible through partnership for the time-sensitive actions included in the schedule being completed on time and in full.
• Contribute to the executional readiness and progress of delivery plans to teams and partners across the business.
• Identify potential risks and challenges that may affect the delivery of projects and develop mitigation strategies to address them.
• Contribute to internal operational launch readiness, including pre-launch testing, ship room management and launch activities.
• Contribute to project status and risk reporting out to senior leaders and partners. 

 Experience

• Bachelor's degree preferred or equivalent practical experience.
• Proficient level of English, both written and spoken.
• Minimum of 2 years of proven experience in project management, game development, certification/QA, or a similar role.
• Experience delivering complex projects involving multiple teams.
• Organisational skills, with the ability to understand prioritisation of tasks.
• Ability to put in place new processes and resolve issues.
• Proficiency in project management tools and software.