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Video Game Release Manager Jobs (NOW HIRING)

ZeniMax Media

Release Manager

Rockville, MD · On-site

Bethesda Game Studios strives to offer its employees a well-balanced home and work life by ... Track and manage release dependencies, risks, and blockers - escalate issues early, resolve them ...

Disc Replay

Video Game Store Manager

Lansing, MI

$40K - $60K/yr

If so, you could be a great fit for our Store Manager position at Disc Replay! At Disc Replay, we buy and sell video games, movies, electronics, and collectibles. Our customers bring us cool stuff ...

Disc Replay

Video Game Store Manager

Jackson, MI

$40K - $60K/yr

If so, you could be a great fit for our Store Manager position at Disc Replay! At Disc Replay, we buy and sell video games, movies, electronics, and collectibles. Our customers bring us cool stuff ...

Disc Replay

Video Game Store Manager

Saginaw, MI · On-site

$40K - $60K/yr

If so, you could be a great fit for our Store Manager position at Disc Replay! At Disc Replay, we buy and sell video games, movies, electronics, and collectibles. Our customers bring us cool stuff ...

Disc Replay

Video Game Store Manager

Flint, MI

$40K - $60K/yr

If so, you could be a great fit for our Store Manager position at Disc Replay! At Disc Replay, we buy and sell video games, movies, electronics, and collectibles. Our customers bring us cool stuff ...

Disc Replay

Video Game Store Manager

Grandville, MI

$40K - $60K/yr

If so, you could be a great fit for our Store Manager position at Disc Replay! At Disc Replay, we buy and sell video games, movies, electronics, and collectibles. Our customers bring us cool stuff ...

Disc Replay

Video Game Store Manager

Troy, MI

$40K - $60K/yr

If so, you could be a great fit for our Store Manager position at Disc Replay! At Disc Replay, we buy and sell video games, movies, electronics, and collectibles. Our customers bring us cool stuff ...

Disc Replay

Video Game Store Manager

Roseville, MI

$40K - $60K/yr

If so, you could be a great fit for our Store Manager position at Disc Replay! At Disc Replay, we buy and sell video games, movies, electronics, and collectibles. Our customers bring us cool stuff ...

Disc Replay

Video Game Store Manager

Taylor, MI

$40K - $60K/yr

If so, you could be a great fit for our Store Manager position at Disc Replay! At Disc Replay, we buy and sell video games, movies, electronics, and collectibles. Our customers bring us cool stuff ...

Disc Replay

Video Game Store Manager

Grandville, MI

$40K - $60K/yr

If so, you could be a great fit for our Store Manager position at Disc Replay! At Disc Replay, we buy and sell video games, movies, electronics, and collectibles. Our customers bring us cool stuff ...

Disc Replay

Video Game Store Manager

Merrillville, IN

$40K - $60K/yr

If so, you could be a great fit for our Store Manager position at Disc Replay! At Disc Replay, we buy and sell video games, movies, electronics, and collectibles. Our customers bring us cool stuff ...

Disc Replay

Video Game Store Manager

Troy, MI

$40K - $60K/yr

If so, you could be a great fit for our Store Manager position at Disc Replay! At Disc Replay, we buy and sell video games, movies, electronics, and collectibles. Our customers bring us cool stuff ...

Disc Replay

Video Game Store Manager

Grand Rapids, MI

$40K - $60K/yr

If so, you could be a great fit for our Store Manager position at Disc Replay! At Disc Replay, we buy and sell video games, movies, electronics, and collectibles. Our customers bring us cool stuff ...

Disc Replay

Video Game Store Manager

Battle Creek, MI

$40K - $60K/yr

If so, you could be a great fit for our Store Manager position at Disc Replay! At Disc Replay, we buy and sell video games, movies, electronics, and collectibles. Our customers bring us cool stuff ...

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All JobsVideo Game Release Manager Jobs

Video Game Release Manager information

See salary details

$25K

$74.6K

$160.5K

How much do video game release manager jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for video game release manager in the United States is $74,626.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $45,000.00 and $94,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Video Game Release Manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Video Game Release Manager, you need expertise in project management, strong organizational skills, and a solid understanding of game development cycles, often supported by a degree in business, computer science, or a related field. Familiarity with project management tools like Jira or Trello, build deployment systems, and version control platforms such as Git is typically required. Exceptional communication, problem-solving abilities, and attention to detail help coordinate teams and manage deadlines effectively. These skills and qualities are crucial for ensuring smooth, timely, and high-quality game releases in a fast-paced industry.

How much do video game project managers make?

Video game project managers typically earn between $70,000 and $120,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and the size of the company. Senior managers or those working on large projects may earn higher salaries, and proficiency with project management tools like Jira or Trello can enhance earning potential.

What is the highest paying video game job?

The highest paying video game job is often a Lead Producer or Executive Producer, with salaries exceeding $150,000 annually, especially in large studios or for senior roles. Other high-paying roles include Game Director and Technical Director, which require extensive experience, leadership skills, and knowledge of game development tools and processes.

How does a Video Game Release Manager coordinate with different departments to ensure a smooth game launch?

A Video Game Release Manager acts as the central point of communication between departments like development, QA, marketing, and publishing. They create and manage detailed release schedules, track deliverables, and ensure all teams meet critical deadlines. Regular cross-department meetings and status updates help them identify and resolve potential issues early, minimizing risks and delays. This collaborative approach is essential for a successful, on-time game launch.

What does a Video Game Release Manager do?

A Video Game Release Manager oversees the planning, coordination, and execution of a game's launch process. They work closely with development, marketing, quality assurance, and distribution teams to ensure the game is released on schedule and meets quality standards. Their responsibilities include managing release timelines, coordinating with platform holders (like PlayStation, Xbox, and Steam), and handling last-minute issues that may arise. The role also involves ensuring compliance with platform requirements and facilitating communication among all stakeholders to deliver a smooth launch experience.

What is the difference between Video Game Release Manager vs Video Game Producer?

AspectVideo Game Release ManagerVideo Game Producer
Primary RoleCoordinates and manages the release process of a game, ensuring timely launch and marketing alignment.Oversees the entire game development process, from concept to completion, managing teams and resources.
Required SkillsProject management, scheduling, communication, and release logistics.Leadership, project management, creative oversight, and cross-team coordination.
Work EnvironmentTypically works closely with marketing, QA, and development teams during release phases.Works across all development departments, from design to QA, throughout the project lifecycle.

While both roles require strong project management skills, the Video Game Release Manager focuses specifically on coordinating the launch process, whereas the Video Game Producer oversees the entire development cycle. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify career paths and employer expectations in the gaming industry.

Can video games lower cortisol?

Video game release managers are involved in coordinating the launch of new games, but there is no direct evidence that playing or releasing video games lowers cortisol levels. Engaging in leisure activities like gaming can reduce stress for some individuals, which may help decrease cortisol temporarily. However, the impact varies based on personal response and gaming habits.

What is the salary of a release manager?

A Video Game Release Manager's salary typically ranges from $70,000 to $130,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and the size of the company. Senior release managers or those working for major studios may earn higher compensation, often supplemented with bonuses and benefits.
More about Video Game Release Manager jobs
What cities are hiring for Video Game Release Manager jobs? Cities with the most Video Game Release Manager job openings:
What states have the most Video Game Release Manager jobs? States with the most job openings for Video Game Release Manager jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Video Game Release Manager jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Video Game Release Manager jobs are:
Video Game Release Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Video Game Release Manager job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $74,626 per year, or $35.9 per hour.

Release Manager

ZeniMax Media

Rockville, MD • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 12 days ago

Job description

Overview
Come join Bethesda Game Studios, the award-winning development team behind Starfield, The Elder Scrolls and Fallout. Bethesda Game Studios strives to offer its employees a well-balanced home and work life by providing competitive salaries, a generous benefits program, and offices located in some of North America's best cities.
With a goal of creating a culture as fun and diverse as our games and our players, we welcome applicants with unique skillsets, experience levels and backgrounds. If you are passionate about making a meaningful contribution to some of the most significant games in the industry we'd love to hear from you!
We will consider candidates for any of our four Bethesda Game Studios office locations: Rockville, MD; Montreal, Quebec; Austin, TX; Dallas, TX.
Responsibilities
Your Daily Life at Bethesda Game Studios
As a Release Manager, you will...
  • Own the end-to-end path to live for each release or major milestone, including certification, first-party submission, ratings, and lead final go/no-go decision points.
  • Drive release readiness through direct ownership of dependencies, reporting, and issue escalation. Run cross-functional release readiness meetings to ensure alignment, transparency, and clear decision-making.
  • Track and manage release dependencies, risks, and blockers - escalate issues early, resolve them ahead of release, and provide on-call support during release windows.
  • Plan, schedule, and lead multi-platform releases across development, QA, operations, platform partners, and publishing teams.
  • Maintain release calendars, deployment plans, cutover and rollback strategies, and key documentation (runbooks, timelines, release artifacts).
  • Own certification and submission processes across first-party platforms - PlayStation (Sony), Xbox (Microsoft), Nintendo, and Steam - managing platform-specific requirements, ratings board submissions, and release timing with each partner.
  • Stay current on all first-party and ratings board requirements and proactively communicate policy and process changes to stakeholders.
  • Provide clear, timely status reporting on release readiness, risks, and outcomes across projects - giving stakeholders and leadership consistent visibility into release health, timelines, and trends.
  • Collaborate with engineering to evaluate, improve, and document build pipelines, branching strategies, and delivery systems - reducing friction, increasing stability, and ensuring releases meet compliance requirements across all platforms.
  • Serve as the technical owner of publishing and deployment work, including build readiness, environment coordination, submission timing, and release execution.
  • Maintain a centralized release repository with processes, dependencies, communication lists, release details, and archived final assets, ensuring all submissions meet first-party, ratings board, and broader compliance requirements.
  • Drive consistency, predictability, and continuous improvement in how we ship, using data, retrospectives, and feedback.
  • Support and contribute to broader studio and publishing initiatives as needed.
Qualifications
What Makes You S.P.E.C.I.A.L.
  • You have the required 5+ years of owning end-to-end releases of AAA games through first-party platforms (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo) and major PC storefronts (Steam)
  • You have hands-on experience submitting titles to major and regional age rating boards - including ESRB, PEGI, CERO, USK, ACB, IARC, ClassInd, GRAC, and CSRR - managing questionnaires, content descriptors, resubmissions, and rating certificate delivery across global markets.
  • You've demonstrated ownership of AAA release lifecycles across development, QA, platform partners, and publishing - from internal milestone builds and first submission through live, including flighting, and post-launch updates.
  • You have proven experience serving as a primary point of contact with first-party platform partners - managing submission timelines, issues, and escalations directly with Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo, and Valve.
  • You have a proven ability to manage risk, drive decisions, and operate effectively under time-critical release conditions.
  • You've owned releases that didn't go as planned and have the hard-won judgment and scar tissue to show for it.
  • You have a strong understanding of the software development lifecycle and deployment practices and workflows.
  • You have experience leveraging automation solutions and tools to streamline workflows and minimize manual effort.
  • You have a minimum of 2 years of experience guiding projects or teams through influence rather than direct authority.
Preferred Skills
Bonus Skills
  • You are experienced with operating within a multi-studio or centralized release management structure, including defining team boundaries and shared workflows.
  • You've operated as a technical authority on release readiness while partnering closely with production and live teams.
  • You have a process-oriented mindset with a focus on clarity, accountability, and repeatable execution.
  • You have a high attention to detail paired with the ability to think systemically about end-to-end delivery.
  • You have familiarity with CI/CD pipelines, build automation, and release tooling (e.g., Jenkins, GitLab, Azure DevOps) - a plus, but not a substitute for platform certification expertise.
Salary Range
Release Manager - The typical base pay range for this position at the start of employment is expected to be between $75,000 - $155,000 per year.
ZeniMax has different base pay ranges for different work locations within the United States, which allows us to pay employees competitively and consistently in different geographic markets. The range above reflects the potential base pay across the U.S. for this role; the applicable base pay range will depend on what ultimately is determined to be the candidate's primary work location. Individual base pay depends on various factors, in addition to primary work location, such as complexity and responsibility of role, job duties/requirements, and relevant experience and skills. Base pay ranges are reviewed and typically updated each year. Offers are made within the base pay range applicable at the time.
At ZeniMax certain roles are eligible for additional rewards, such as merit increases and discretionary bonuses. These awards are allocated based on individual performance and are not guaranteed. Benefits/perks listed here may vary depending on the nature of employment with ZeniMax and the country work location. U.S.-based employees have access to healthcare benefits, a 401(k) plan and company match, short-term and long-term disability coverage, basic life insurance, wellbeing benefits, paid vacation time, paid sick and mental health time, and several paid holidays, among others.
This position is in a union and represented by the Communication Workers of America.
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