Product Manager - R&D

This role is a part of the R&D team at Avalanche Studios Group. This department has a singular focus: finding the next big thing! We do this by building prototypes and quickly testing them with real players.
As a Product Manager in the R&D team at Avalanche Studios Group, your role is to lead and evolve the Playtesting Program that allows us to quickly test early game prototypes with external players. This role is key to our efforts of testing game ideas with real players often and early. You will focus on scaling the program to the next level, ensuring we can validate concepts effectively very early in development.
The position:As the Product Manager, you will take holistic ownership of the Playtesting Program. Your primary focus will be to define and execute the program's overall strategy and expansion. This includes cultivating a thriving ecosystem of playtesters and ensuring robust testing capabilities. The goal is to assess product-market fit and inform decisions about a prototype's future development. Furthermore, you will actively build out our internal capabilities for evaluating and testing ideas sourced from external partners.You will report to the Product Director, R&D. This on-site role is based in our Stockholm office, with the opportunity to work up to two days a week from home.
The successful candidate will be tasked with evolving and scaling the Playtesting Program while maintaining a focus on quality output. This includes:Program Strategy & Expansion: Developing and refining the Playtesting Program strategy to scale effectively, including expanding its scope to incorporate external partners.Execution & Collaboration: Ensure the successful execution of playtests, working closely with User Research, the Community Manager, and development teams.Performance & Evaluation: Defining, tracking, and driving efforts to meet key success metrics related to playtester engagement and growth. Regularly evaluating the program to identify and implement improvements that support large-scale operation.
What you'll do:

• Program Strategy & Expansion: Developing and refining the Playtesting Program strategy to scale effectively, including expanding its scope to incorporate external partners.
• Execution & Collaboration: Ensure the successful execution of playtests, working closely with User Research, the Community Manager, and development teams.
• Performance & Evaluation: Defining, tracking, and driving efforts to meet key success metrics related to playtester engagement and growth. Regularly evaluating the program to identify and implement improvements that support large-scale operation.

Who you are:

• Entrepreneurial and Proactive: Comfortable initiating and managing change with an entrepreneurial mindset.
• Proven Experience: Experienced in scaling products and/or services within the tech industry, preferably within gaming. This includes coaching internal support teams, as well as directing external agencies.
• Strong Communicator: Excellent written and verbal English communication skills, as well as strong presentation skills to confidently address stakeholders at all organizational levels.
• Organized and Collaborative: Demonstrates strong project management skills and thrives as a team player within a matrixed organization.
• Product Vision and Strategy: Proven ability to translate strategic business objectives into a clear product vision and roadmap, driving innovative and impactful gaming experiences.
• Passionate about Gaming: Has a genuine passion for and actively plays video games. Stays up to date with industry trends and demonstrates an understanding of what motivates players.

Note: Research shows under-represented groups in the industry might not apply to a job if they don’t check off every requirement. At Avalanche, we’re more about your drive to learn and interest in tackling challenges than what’s on your resume! So don’t stress if you don’t tick every box— shoot us your application anyway! Diverse opinions and different experiences are what make our teams so great, not itemized lists of qualifications.
The Stockholm locationOur Stockholm office is situated in Södermalm, the beating heart of the city’s game industry. It’s a physical representation of our games – the lush vegetation of Just Cause and theHunter: Call of the Wild meets corroded metal straight out of Mad Max. It has everything you need to make it your creative base camp.
Our valuesAt Avalanche Studios Group, we create worlds beyond limits. But that’s not exclusive to our games, so we’re committed to developing a diverse and inclusive workplace. All Avalanchers have a shared responsibility to create an open work environment where everyone is treated equally and respectfully. Being part of our world is not contingent on your heritage, your gender, or sexual orientation. It’s all about your passion and creativity.
How to applyTo apply for this position, please register below and provide your CV in English. We review applications continuously. All further studio-related information is provided under a non-disclosure agreement.
At Avalanche Studios Group we're always on the lookout for talented individuals to join our passionate team, but please note that relocation assistance is not available for this role.