Head of Studio Ops

About Popcap

PopCap Games was founded in 2000 in a Seattle attic apartment by three twenty-somethings from the dot-com start-up wars who wanted to make fun video games for anyone to pick up and play. Now, PopCap has more resources, and bigger dreams, but the good news is that it’s still all about making irresistible games everyone will enjoy. PopCap has consistently made the most captivating and memorable games — from Bejeweled to Plants vs. Zombies, and many more. What’s the secret to PopCap’s success? It’s always hinged on three basics: hard work, attention to detail, and a fearless passion for making great games.

As the Head of Studio Operations, you will report to the Studio GM, Popcap and lead a team of development directors/managers supporting our portfolio of games. This is a vital leadership role focused on the management of game teams and their operation, shepherding the teams from one project phase to the next, while focusing on predictability, resourcing, risk management, cost monitoring, operational optimization, and collaboration. The Head of Studio Operations focuses on execution, strategic outcomes, managing around future challenges and making sure all operational aspects of studios are optimized and efficient. As a part of the leadership team, you’ll leverage your highly developed relationship building acumen and operational skills to establish credibility amongst studio members, EA partners, and IP licensors.

Key Responsibilities

• Responsible for the full operational aspects of game development, including establishing development framework, reporting, risk management, capacity planning, resource management and budget.
• Owns projects budgets and opex. Drives improvements in operational efficiency within the studio to meet financial targets. Partners with finance to maintain a healthy P&L. Partners with central teams to own and drive relationships that impact overall P&L.
• Engages in scenario planning to evaluate risk and opportunities, identify outcome and impact, and manage for both positive and negative possibilities.
• Drives Objective and Key Results [OKRs] process for the portfolio.
• Oversees the Development Director discipline, hiring, mentoring and inspiring teams through personal example and enthusiasm.
• Responsible for risk strategy across the studio and mentors the ops team on risk management.
• Collaborates with the studio leaders to help define the studio vision, mission, and strategy, as well as contributing to fostering overall studio culture & health.
• Plans and communicates process adoption studio-wide; innovates, plans, communicates and implements studio-wide processes and practices in response to changing business strategy and market trends.
• Ensures the studio has the best structure and practices that allow it to produce high-quality work on time, and on budget.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of development experience in the games industry.
• Experience in mobile app development or managing online live services
• Experience leading teams and managing remote development, coupled with the ability to oversee projects of varying scope or points in life-cycle (e.g. concept, production, launch and live services).
• 5+ years in similar Operations leadership role
• Mastery of project management (including Agile methodologies, principles and lexicon).
• Expertise presenting high-impact plans and recommendations to executives.
• Demonstrable analytical and problem-solving skills; ability to decipher complex multivariate problems