Technical Operations Program Manager - Esports Event Technology

At Riot Games, we’re committed to delivering unforgettable esports experiences to fans around the globe. With the growth of the Riot Games Arena and our Remote Broadcast Centers (RBCs), we’re scaling our technological capabilities to innovate world-class tournaments for League of Legends, VALORANT, and Wild Rift.

Riot operators possess deep expertise in specific technical areas while also embracing the opportunity to work across multiple domains. As a Lead of Tech Operations on the Esports Event Technology (EET) Team, you will collaborate with engineers, vendors, and contractors to deliver resilient, and reliable esports events worldwide. Working within a self-directed, cross-functional team of highly skilled professionals, you will help ensure that Riot’s infrastructure can effectively support all Riot Esports initiatives.

This role will require international travel as we support global and regional events. Expected travel is up to 40% per year.

Physical Requirements: 

• Occasionally required to lift 50 lbs
• Occasionally required to push/pull road cases
• Ability to travel internationally 3-4 weeks at a time

Responsibilities:

• Liaising with multiple teams to establish and maintain interdepartmental workflows for executing large-scale international sporting events
• Ensure technical support teams make clear commitments and deliver on them
• Ability to work across teams and disciplines to coordinate technical support needs for executing large-scale international sporting events
• Onboard, track, measure, and evaluate vendor performance
• Provide technical support. Troubleshoot issues, install and equipment, and act as first layer support for onsite vendor resources
• Create documentation and processes and how to’s for vendor supported workflows

Required Qualifications:

• 3-5 years of experience working hands-on with information technology ecosystems
• 1-3 years of experience working in a Tech/Craft leadership role  
• Strong understanding of layer 2 networking, and Enterprise IT support
• Familiarity with windows provisioning tools, remote desktop, PC management and PC troubleshooting.
• Excellent problem solving and analytical skills.
• Ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks.
• Understanding of the player experience for League of Legends and Valorant
• Experience with selecting, developing, and maintaining relationships with vendors
• Ability to travel internationally 3-4 weeks at a time, up to 40% of time per year. Viable passport required

Desired Qualifications: 

• Experience working in project management tools such as JIRA, Asana, Airtable, and Trello
• Experience working in time-sensitive and high pressure situations like live event broadcasting
• Passionate about esports

For this role, you'll find success through craft expertise, a collaborative spirit, and decision-making that prioritizes the delight of players. We will look at your past studies, experience, and your personal relationship with games. If you embody player empathy and care about the experiences of players, this could be the role for you!

Our Perks:

Riot focuses on work/life balance, shown by our open paid time off policy and other perks such as flexible work schedules. We offer medical, dental, and life insurance, parental leave for you, your spouse/domestic partner, and children, and a 401k with company match. Check out our benefits pages for more information.

At Riot Games, we put players first. That mission drives every decision in our quest to create games and experiences that make it better to be a player. Whether you’re working directly on a new player-facing experience or you’re supporting the company as a whole, everyone at Riot is part of our mission. And just like in our games, we’re better when we work together. Our goal is to create collaborative teams where you are empowered to bring your unique perspective everyday. If that sounds like the kind of place you want to work, we’re looking forward to your application.

It’s our policy to provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and members of Riot Games, Inc. Riot Games makes reasonable accommodations for handicapped and disabled Rioters and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, handicap, veteran status, marital status, criminal history, or any other category protected by applicable federal and state law. We consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state and local law, including the California Fair Chance Act, the City of Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the Washington Fair Chance Act.

Per the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, the following core duties may create a basis for disqualifying candidates with relevant criminal histories:

• Safeguarding confidential and sensitive Company data
• Communication with others, including Rioters and third parties such as vendors, and/or players, including minors
• Accessing Company assets, secure digital systems, and networks
• Ensuring a safe interactive environment for players and other Rioters

These duties are directly related to essential operations, safety, trust, and compliance obligations within our organization. Please note that job duties may evolve based on business needs and additional responsibilities may be assigned as necessary to maintain operational efficiency and security.