What we need:31st Union is looking for a strategic, supportive Art Director to own the visual direction for a major area of our game. Reporting to the Studio Art Director, you will lead Associate Art Directors and Art Leads, set the quality bar, and shape the visual storytelling of our game alongside the rest of our Creative Leadership team.
Responsibilities:- Lead, coach, and develop Associate Art Directors and Art Leads, including performance reviews and career paths
- Lead hiring for the department, including defining roles and growing the team
- Manage art resources and scope within budget and production constraints
- Art Direction and Quality
- Own the art direction and visual development for your area and its implementation in the game
- Translate the Creative and Art Vision into benchmarks, standards, and plans with stakeholders in other departments.
- Set quality assurance protocols and drive the review strategy for artwork
- Review and approve work and serve as an internal art critic, keeping style consistent across disciplines
- Communicate the visual plan through specifications, style guides, reference material, and presentations
- Technology and Pipeline Partnership
- Work with Tech Art, Engineering, and Tools teams to create a rendering and tools plan that supports art goals
- Partner with Creative, Design, Narrative and Production to keep a cohesive approach
- Recent Unreal Engine development experience
- Evaluate and manage outsourcing partners and co-development vendors
- Identify risks across the art pipeline and drive mitigation
Who you are:- Bachelor's degree in Art or Fine Art, or equivalent experience
- 10+ years in AAA game development, including at least 2 shipped AAA titles
- 3+ years in an Art Director, Associate Art Director, or equivalent senior leadership role
- Proven experience leading and growing best in class art teams
- Thorough understanding of the full development cycle, from concept through release
- Deep knowledge of the methods behind leading-edge visuals, from tools to techniques to technology.
- Strong visual taste and creative vision, with the ability to communicate it clearly
- Experience hiring, supervising, and writing meaningful feedback and performance reviews
- Strong communication, project management, and stakeholder management skills
- A champion of high standards who embraces change and pushes for progress
Nice-to-Haves:- Experience with hybrid or distributed teams and co-dev
- Experience in a proprietary or in-house engine environment
- Passion for games and for pushing what is possible in interactive entertainment
The pay range for this position in San Mateo, California at the start of employment is expected to be between $182,800 and $270,520 per Year. However, base pay offered is based on market location, and may vary further depending on individualized factors for job candidates, such as job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and other objective business considerations.
Subject to those same considerations, the total compensation package for employees in regular roles may also include other elements, including a bonus and/or equity awards, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, provided that temporary or intern roles will not be eligible for many of these payments or benefits. Details of participation in compensation and benefit plans (if applicable) will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired, employee will be in an "at-will position" and the company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation or benefit program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.
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