This job might no longer be available.
Outsourcing Manager
1 year ago
With a rich history of developing multiple AAA franchises such as Little Big Planet and Crackdown, as well as contributing to genre-defining titles like the Forza Motorsport and Hitman series, Sumo Sheffield’s vast development experience spans multiple genres and platforms.
As winners of the TIGA Star Employment Award for 2021, recipients of the GI Biz 2020 Best Places to Work Award and listed as one of the UK’s 100 Best Large Companies to Work for in 2021, Sumo Digital has enjoyed 18 years of stability and growth since its formation in 2003 and continues to strive for excellence across every single project.
The team have a track record of working on some of the world's biggest and best games and received two BAFTAs for their work on Sackboy: A Big Adventure. As the scale and exclusivity of projects continues to grow, there’s never been a more exciting time to join the Sumo Sheffield family!
The role @ Sumo Group
We have an exciting opportunity for an Outsourcing Manager to join Sumo Group, supporting the External Content Director with the end-to-end process of outsourcing talent for Sumo Digital’s internal clients. This will cover Art, Design and Audio disciplines and range from individual contractors to larger vendor engagements. Understanding requirements from internal clients, then tendering work, helping to select candidates and negotiate deals to meet those requirements, appropriate through to setup and onboarding of external freelance contractors and external vendors.
The development team is responsible for identifying the work and defining it, but often they will do that assuming a solution or some outside knowledge. Their expectation is we will help connect them to the right, trustworthy, cost-effective solution and give both the team and the people identified the best experience.
This role would suit candidates with experience of at least 1 full game development cycle as an Artist, Producer or Designer with a deep understanding of how games are made and the challenges that can arise.
In normal times Travel is required for the position – travel between internal studios, speculative visits and due diligence with vendors, project visits to vendors and visible on-site leadership when troubleshooting.
Remote working is expected, with the requirement for travel and remote management being fundamental, it’s inevitable that the candidate will have the ability to work effectively away from a Sumo Hub. To balance the needs of travel, the expectation is that candidates will be able to work from home or other location for periods.
Fully remote working can be supported in the UK and within the EU.
Role responsibilities:
- Collaborate with internal customers and project stakeholders to identify content needs throughout the Sumo Digital Group.
- Understand the real requirements of the Art, Audio and Design teams; which elements are critical to success and the skills and timeframes required.
- Cross-referencing requirements against internal group availability and see if there are any potential fits that could provide practical solutions without external support.
- Work with a portfolio of existing key partners who can provide the needed content services to SDL across the domains and specialisms our business needs.
- Expand the portfolio of existing partners via introduction calls and due diligence on potential new partners.
- Contribute to the creation and maintenance of the Distributed Development Best Practice documents and champion their contents.
- Maintain a database of alternative providers across all specialisms.
- Expand the database with potential new partners via introduction calls and assessment of potential future engagement.
- Appropriate regular communication with all potential new partners and lesser-used partners.
- Working with the Distributed Development Admin team to help onboard new partners.
- Maintain regular communication with engaged partners and the associated team stakeholders.
Knowledge and experience:
- Experience of at least 1 full game dev cycle (as a Producer, Artist or Designer).
- Experience in the Game Development process and pipelines for content creation.
- Experience in communicating directly with project stakeholders.
Commercial:
- Create and set clear goals for the external project teams, which are measurable and to assure reliable delivery and operational excellence.
- As an external representative of Sumo Digital Limited, maintain a positive outlook in adverse circumstances, be balanced, fair and empathic and make time to explain their own and the company’s decisions.
Communication:
- Possesses excellent written and oral communication skills, as well as being confident with online video interactions.
- Ability to communicate with Senior stakeholders within the development teams.
Interpersonal:
- Ability to defuse situations and make people feel that their interests are being looked after.
- Ability to maintain positive relationships with existing vendors and form new ones with potential external vendors.
- Ability to work towards compromises that ultimately benefit the company.
What we offer:
. Defined Annual Bonus Scheme
. ULEV car scheme
. Monthly allowance to spend on enhancing benefits
. Salary Sacrifice Pension
. Flexible Working
. 21 days free-use holiday
+ your birthday off
+ 5 learning days including 1 volunteer day
+ a duvet day
+ Christmas shutdown from Christmas Eve to New Year
+ Bank Holidays
+ extra allowance accrued for longer service
. Free dental insurance
. Life Assurance 4x Salary
. Income Protection of 75% for 5 years
. Enhanced Mat/Paternity & Adoption pay
. Employee Assistance Programme:
. Help at Hand - Remote GP, Mental Health & Physio appointments
. Free financial & home buying support consultations
. Cycle to Work Scheme
. Payroll Giving Scheme
. Access to 4,000 Udemy Courses
. Career Development Pathway
. Wrap Parties.
. Project Completion Awards
. Game/Creative Jams
. Big Family Events
. Studio social activities, e.g. running, board games, film, yoga, life drawing…
. Prism – Sumo’s employee diversity focus group
. Free fruit and drinks in our studios
. Employee Referral Bonus
Where do we stand on diversity?
At Sumo, we want to enable everyone to bring their full, authentic selves to work every single day. We acknowledge that the games industry is far from perfect and a global organisation with people all over the world, from all kinds of backgrounds, we know it’s part of our duty to provide everyone at Sumo with a safe, accepting and affirming working environment.
We encourage and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.
More about Sumo Sheffield
Sumo Sheffield is located just outside the city centre in Sumo Digital’s HQ, just off J34 on the M1 and a stone’s throw from the city’s primary shopping and leisure complex. With a multi-building campus comprised of industry-leading facilities, an onsite gym and subsidised canteen, Sumo Sheffield provides everything needed for all teams to create the world’s best games.
Sheffield is the fifth largest city in the UK and is easily accessible by road and rail from Leeds, Manchester and the Midlands. The city enjoys a wealth of facilities to suit a wide array of interests, including:
o World-class sports facilities
o Iconic theatres and galleries
o Multiple retail and shopping experiences
o Diverse and renowned restaurants and eateries
o The award-winning National Video Game Museum
More about Sumo Digital
Sumo Digital is an award-winning international family of studios. Recent releases from Sumo Digital studios include: BAFTA-Award winning Sackboy: A Big Adventure, Hood: Outlaws & Legends, Control Ultimate Edition on Google Stadia, Apple Arcade Award-winning Little Orpheus, Hot Shot Racing, WST Snooker and Spyder.
Create Your Profile — Game companies can contact you with their relevant job openings.