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Release Planning Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Release Manager

Tampa, FL · On-site

$120 - $160/hr

This role requires strong expertise in release planning, orchestration, software delivery lifecycle management, Azure DevOps, CI/CD practices, change management and enterprise-scale dependency ...

Release Planning and Coordination: - Develop and maintain a comprehensive release calendar, coordinating with various teams to align release schedules. - Lead release planning meetings and manage the ...

Release Manager

VA · On-site +1

TCS124, T4, Band 7 Job-Specific Essential Duties and Responsibilities: - Serve as the enterprise Release Manager, responsible for coordinating, planning, and executing releases across multiple teams ...

We are seeking an experienced Release Manager to oversee the planning, coordination, and execution of software releases across enterprise applications. The ideal candidate will have a strong ...

We are seeking an experienced Release Manager to oversee the planning, coordination, and execution of software releases across enterprise applications. The ideal candidate will have a strong ...

We are seeking an experienced Release Manager to oversee the planning, coordination, and execution of software releases across enterprise applications. The ideal candidate will have a strong ...

We are seeking an experienced Release Manager to oversee the planning, coordination, and execution of software releases across enterprise applications. The ideal candidate will have a strong ...

We are seeking an experienced Release Manager to oversee the planning, coordination, and execution of software releases across enterprise applications. The ideal candidate will have a strong ...

We are seeking an experienced Release Manager to oversee the planning, coordination, and execution of software releases across enterprise applications. The ideal candidate will have a strong ...

We are seeking an experienced Release Manager to oversee the planning, coordination, and execution of software releases across enterprise applications. The ideal candidate will have a strong ...

We are seeking an experienced Release Manager to oversee the planning, coordination, and execution of software releases across enterprise applications. The ideal candidate will have a strong ...

We are seeking an experienced Release Manager to oversee the planning, coordination, and execution of software releases across enterprise applications. The ideal candidate will have a strong ...

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Release Planning information

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$17

$53

$81

How much do release planning jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average hourly pay for release planning in the United States is $53.77, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $40.38 and $65.62 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is release planning?

Release planning is the process of defining, scheduling, and coordinating the work needed to deliver new features, enhancements, or fixes in a software or product release. It involves identifying which items from the product backlog will be included in an upcoming release, estimating effort, and aligning development teams, stakeholders, and customers on timelines and expectations. Effective release planning helps ensure that the right features are delivered on time, with minimal risk and maximum value to users.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in release planning?

To thrive in Release Planning, you need strong project management skills, knowledge of software development lifecycles, and experience with release management processes, often supported by a relevant degree or certifications like PMP or Agile/Scrum. Familiarity with technical tools such as Jira, Azure DevOps, and CI/CD pipelines is typically required. Excellent communication, organizational skills, and the ability to collaborate across teams are important soft skills in this role. These competencies ensure smooth, timely software releases and effective coordination among stakeholders, minimizing risks and maximizing product quality.

What are some common challenges faced in a release planning role, and how can they be managed effectively?

One common challenge in Release Planning is balancing the needs of multiple stakeholders while adhering to tight deadlines and quality standards. Coordinating input from development, QA, operations, and business teams often requires strong communication and negotiation skills. Additionally, adapting to last-minute changes or unforeseen technical issues can be demanding. Successful Release Planners proactively manage risks, maintain clear documentation, and foster strong cross-team collaboration to ensure smooth and timely releases.

What is the difference between Release Planning vs Product Owner?

AspectRelease PlanningProduct Owner
Primary FocusScheduling and coordinating software releasesDefining product vision and managing the product backlog
ResponsibilitiesEnsuring timely delivery of releases, coordinating teamsPrioritizing features, representing customer interests
Required SkillsProject management, communication, schedulingProduct knowledge, stakeholder management, decision-making
Work EnvironmentDevelopment teams, project management toolsAgile teams, product development cycles

While Release Planning focuses on scheduling and coordinating software releases, the Product Owner is responsible for defining the product vision and managing the backlog. Both roles are essential in software development, but they serve different functions within the project lifecycle.

More about Release Planning jobs
Infographic showing various Release Planning job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 22% Contract. Highlights an 89% In-person, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $111,845 per year, or $53.8 per hour.

Full-time

Re-posted yesterday


Walt Disney Company rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 129 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

3rd of 52 rated entertainment


Job description

Job Posting Title:

VP, Release Planning

Req ID:

10153355

Job Description:

Disney's Direct to Consumer team oversees the Hulu and Disney+ streaming businesses within Disney Entertainment, helping to bring The Walt Disney Company's best-in-class storytelling to fans and families everywhere.

The Disney+ Global Content Programming and Subscriber Engagement team is responsible for leading content planning, scheduling, on-service merchandising, slate management, and programming insights that contribute to a cohesive strategic content approach for the service.

Job Summary:

Disney+ is seeking a VP, Release Planning to lead the strategic planning of content releases across our DTC Global Originals and other key titles. This is an executive role designed for a seasoned leader who thrives in large, complex organizations - someone who can build trusted relationships across multiple business units, balance competing stakeholder priorities with diplomacy, and establish a best-in-class release planning function. In this role, you will own the end-to-end release planning process - from release format strategy and content calendar architecture to partnering with teams on data-driven performance analysis - working closely with teams across The Walt Disney Company (TWDC) to ensure each title lands at the right moment for the right audience.

Responsibilities:

  • Oversee release planning strategy for Direct-to-Consumer Global Originals and key titles, establishing a comprehensive content calendar designed to maximize subscriber acquisition, engagement, and retention.
  • Partner closely with - and build trusted relationships across - stakeholders throughout TWDC, including our content studios, marketing, regional programming teams, finance, content operations, and other scheduling teams across TWDC. Present premiere date recommendations to leaders across many of these teams on a regular basis to drive consensus.
  • Lead, develop, and inspire a high-performing team, fostering a culture of analytical rigor, creative problem-solving, and proactive cross-functional collaboration.
  • Draw on audience and content performance insights and market intelligence - produced in close partnership with analytics teams - to continuously inform and evolve release strategy, identify content calendar gaps, and optimize title placement for maximum business impact. Translate those insights into clear release strategy recommendations for senior leadership.
  • Partner with content studios and internal teams from greenlight to premiere, with a deep understanding of creative, production, post-production, marketing, localization, and financial dependencies and timelines.
  • Partner with tooling and business optimization teams to develop and champion scalable release planning processes, frameworks, and visualizations that can flex to support the team's dynamic business needs.
  • Track the competitive streaming landscape and evolving industry trends.

Education and Skills:

  • Bachelor's degree

  • 12+ years of progressive, relevant experience in content scheduling, release planning, or a closely related discipline within a major streaming service, studio, broadcast network, or cable network, with direct experience managing premium content. At least 5 years at a DTC streaming service or digital media company strongly preferred.

  • Demonstrated success operating in large, highly matrixed corporate environments - with a proven ability to build trust, influence senior stakeholders, and drive alignment across multiple business units without direct organizational authority.

  • Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to craft and deliver concise, executive-ready presentations and recommendations with clarity and authority.

  • Proven executive-level leadership capabilities, including a track record of building, developing, and retaining high-performing teams while managing up effectively to senior leadership.

  • Strong analytical literacy and data fluency, with the ability to critically interpret complex outputs from analytics partners, including optimization models, binge-velocity metrics, audience completion curves, and churn signals, and translate those findings into clear, actionable release strategy decisions and executive-level recommendations. Comfort with data visualization tools and content management platforms is expected, though this role partners with dedicated analytics teams rather than running analysis directly.

  • High business acumen, strategic thinking ability, and the demonstrated capacity to build consensus across competing organizational agendas in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment.

  • Encyclopedic knowledge of and genuine passion for content

Preferred Education and Experience:

  • MBA or equivalent advanced degree preferred.

  • Prior experience working within The Walt Disney Company or a comparable large, diversified media and entertainment conglomerate with multiple content studios and business units.

  • Experience working with global content operations and localization workflows, with an understanding of the logistical and strategic dependencies that govern international release timing across multiple languages and territories.

  • Familiarity with and interest in AI and machine learning applications relevant to content scheduling and discovery, evaluating and advocating for new tools and methodologies that can drive operational efficiencies for fast-moving teams.

The hiring range for this position in California is $214,600.00-$287,700.00 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience, among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.

Job Posting Segment:

Direct to Consumer

Job Posting Primary Business:

Disney Plus

Primary Job Posting Category:

Direct-to-Consumer Content Strategy & Operations

Employment Type:

Full time

Primary City, State, Region, Postal Code:

Glendale, CA, USA

Alternate City, State, Region, Postal Code:

Date Posted:

2026-06-17

What Walt Disney Company employees say

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About Walt Disney

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Disney, we're storytellers. We make the impossible, possible. We do this through utilizing and developing cutting-edge technology and pushing the envelope to bring stories to life through our movies, products, interactive games, parks and resorts, and media networks. Now is your chance to join our talented team that delivers unparalleled creative content to audiences around the world. "We create happiness." That's our motto at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. And it permeates everything we do. At Disney, you'll help inspire that magic by enabling our teams to push the limits of entertainment and create the never-before-seen!

Industry

Amusement, gambling, and recreation

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Burbank, CA, US

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