IT Manager - Raven Software

Job Title:

IT Manager - Raven Software

Requisition ID:

R023983

Job Description:

Your Platform

Founded in 1990, Raven Software is the developer of numerous award-winning games including Hexen, Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance and most recently, a major contributor to the blockbuster Call of Duty® franchise. We’re based in Middleton, Wisconsin, a suburb of Madison, annually ranked on numerous lists as one of the top places to live and work.

We have a unique vision for our industry. One that has and continues to inspire us. We bring no egos. We focus on what is best for the game. We hire stunning peers. We own our own mistakes. We treat each other with respect. After nearly 30 years, Raven Software is still thriving. We developed a team who cares about one another, our games and our players. As we enter the next exciting chapter of our story, we are growing. Our team is creative, highly intelligent, well-led and equipped to face this exciting future. If you want to work with a world-class team, on exciting new projects, then apply today! We look forward to hearing from you.

Raven Software is wholly owned by Activision. To learn more about our studio, please visit us at www.ravensoftware.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ravensoftware, and @RavenSoftware on Twitter.

Your Mission

As the IT Manager, you will be a leader of our IT operations, reporting directly to the Director of IT & Operations. You will use your technical expertise and management skills to deliver exceptional IT services to our talented staff. You will ensure the reliability, security, and efficiency of our IT infrastructure, systems, and applications. You will also lead a team of skilled professionals, providing them with coaching, support, and mentorship.

You will work closely with other IT teams across our corporate offices, partner studios, and with all disciplines within the studio. You will be hands-on in managing and executing IT projects, using your technical competence to achieve outstanding results. You will also spearhead research efforts to explore new technologies and methodologies and develop innovative solutions, products, and processes that enhance our game development capabilities, giving us a competitive edge in the industry.

You will foster a culture of innovation within the organization, encouraging creative thinking and exploration of cutting-edge technologies. You will provide strong leadership to the technology team, fostering a culture of innovation, continuous learning, professional growth, and managing daily work and longer term goals. You will mentor team members and encourage a collaborative and creative work environment. You will also manage relationships with technology vendors and partners, evaluating their products and services to determine strategic partnerships that align with the company’s goals.

Responsibilities:

• Technical expert and escalation point for IT issues
• Redesign and configure systems and applications as needed
• Ensure smooth and efficient operation of software, hardware, servers, and networks
• Support core studio IT services by managing infrastructure operations
• Plan, design, implement, and administer recovery procedures for critical services and infrastructure
• Work off-hours to deal with outages or problems
• Manage and maintain remote systems and services and internal tools
• Oversee the helpdesk operations and ensure customer satisfaction, ensuring prompt, courteous, and professional IT support to the studio staff and external partners
• Manage, coach, and mentor IT team and foster culture of collaboration, innovation, and excellence
• Communicate effectively with studio head, leadership team, and other IT teams
• Lead and participate in IT projects that support the studio’s strategic objectives and initiatives
• Ensure the security and privacy of the studio’s data, systems, and networks, implementing appropriate safeguards and controls
• Provide technical support and guidance to the studio staff and external partners on various IT issues and requests
• Stay updated on the latest IT trends and developments and research best practices and benchmarks for the IT industry
• Create and maintain documentation of the IT systems, processes, and policies

Player Profile

• 7+ years of demonstrated experience in IT, including working in senior or leadership roles
• Extensive knowledge and experience with various storage/networking/compute/operating system/virtualization technologies and core business applications (e.g., Active Directory, Office 365, etc.)
• Strong technical skills and ability to troubleshoot and resolve complex IT issues
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills
• Ability to work under pressure, multi-task, and prioritize
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with a team
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds with assistance when working in the studio or data centers

Extra Points:

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field
• Industry certifications (ITIL, MCITP, CCNA, VCP, etc.)
• Previous experience in similar roles in the video game or technology industries preferred
• Passion for or curiosity about video games

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! At Activision Blizzard, we are committed to crafting a diverse and inclusive environment and strongly encourage you to apply.

Our World

At Activision, we strive to create the most iconic brands in gaming and entertainment. We’re driven by our mission to deliver unrivaled gaming experiences for the world to enjoy, together. We are home to some of the most beloved entertainment franchises including Call of Duty®, Crash Bandicoot™, Tony Hawk’s™ Pro Skater™, and Guitar Hero®. As a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and products, our “press start” is simple: delight hundreds of millions of players around the world with innovative, fun, thrilling, and engaging entertainment experiences.

We’re not just looking back at our decades-long legacy; we’re forging ahead to keep advancing gameplay with some of the most popular titles and sophisticated technology in the world. We have bold ambitions to create the most inclusive company as we know our success comes from the passionate, creative, and diverse teams within our organization.

We’re in the business of delivering fun and unforgettable entertainment for our player community to enjoy. And our future opportunities have never been greater — this could be your opportunity to level up.

Ready to Activate Your Future?

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.

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.

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/.

In the U.S., the standard base pay range for this role is $97,200.00 - $179,900.00 Annual. These values reflect the expected base pay range of new hires across all U.S. locations. Ultimately, your specific range and offer will be based on several factors, including relevant experience, performance, and work location. Your Talent Professional can share this role’s range details for your local geography during the hiring process. In addition to a competitive base pay, employees in this role may be eligible for incentive compensation. Incentive compensation is not guaranteed. While we strive to provide competitive offers to successful candidates, new hire compensation is negotiable.