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Project Art Director
3 years ago
Would you like to work on some of the greatest franchises in gaming history? Certain Affinity brings an exceptionally talented group together to form the largest independent developer in Austin, Texas, and we opened a second studio in Toronto, Canada, last year. Our company culture reflects the vibrant nature of the cities we call home. This includes a commitment to our evolution, excellence, and work-life balance. We’re best known for co-developing numerous AAA FPS games, though we are also creating compelling new games of our own.
As Project Art Director, you will serve as an advocate for, and manager and mentor of Certain Affinity’s art staff project-wide, including Character, Environment, Tech Art, Animation, Concept, and VFX. You will provide a project-agnostic voice for the art team to the company’s executive leaders, advocate for the team’s needs, and serve as a conduit between the art team and other departments. You will help members of the art team at every level with skills development and career guidance, with an extra emphasis on finding and mentoring artists at early stages in their careers.
Ultimately you will play an essential role in helping an incredibly professional, talented, and experienced group of no-nonsense artists make great games together!
Responsibilities
Project
- Realize and execute internal project art vision, creating a clear understanding and goals for the art team
- Work with the project director to properly scope and manage milestone expectations
- Work with external partners’ Art Directors to understand and translate Co Dev project vision back to internal teams at Certain Affinity
- Work with external art vendors as well as internal outsource management to set clear visual direction and expectations, providing feedback, and ensuring a smooth outsource process
Team Building
- Identify and recruit art talent at all levels and oversee onboarding and integration of new team members
- Promote company values within the department and collaboration across departments
- Develop and promote a strong art-focused culture that encourages creative problem solving
- Professional Development
- Ensure managers are providing regular, quality feedback and oversee quarterly and annual feedback and reviews
- Mentor across all levels, and outside of the discipline, where appropriate, on art quality, process, and best practices
Leadership and Optimization
- Ensure Artists are helping each other and collaborating on projects
- Develop succession plans, manage risk, and identify growth opportunities for future leaders.
- Backfill as discipline lead when necessary
- Advocate for the department, communicating successes, challenges, and points of view and championing consistent processes
- Promote the company externally, with emphasis on the talent and accomplishments of its artists
- Drive identification, trial, and adoption of new technologies and techniques that improve quality and efficiency
Requirements
- 6+ years overall experience and 3+ years running an art team that has shipped AAA console or PC titles
- A strong eye for artistic quality with an ability to critically but respectfully dissect work and suggest ways to improve it
- Expertise and understanding of the entire development process
- Knowledge of game engine technology and art-related middleware solutions
- Experience mitigating and resolving risks
- Excellent communication skills (verbal and written) and time and project management skills
- Highly organized, self-directed, and capable of instilling that characteristic in others
- Ability to multi-task and handle many discrete tasks at once without losing focus on any individual item and without missing a stride
- Understanding of technical constraints and budgets in games and proven ability to work within them
- A solution-oriented change agent accustomed to accountability and driving improvement within organizations, with examples to share outlining improved team dynamics and performance within diverse environments
- A diplomatic leader able to have crucial, and at times sensitive conversations
- An inspirational leader who can “rally the troops” and seize opportunities through improved communication and organization
- A strategic thinker with excellent analytical and implementation skills
- A desire to work in a diverse and inclusive environment
Extra Credit
- Experience working, partnering, and fostering productive relationships with established brands and IP holders
- Strong hands-on abilities in traditional art, drawing, painting, illustration, and/or concept art
- High level of proficiency with 2D and 3D game development tools, including 3ds Max, Zbrush, Maya, Photoshop, Substance, etc.
- Experience working successfully with one or more outsource partners as an integral and visually consistent part of the project pipeline
- Previous experience in co-developed projects
- Experience with UE4
- Avid gamer on multiple platforms
Certain Affinity or its partners or affiliates run background checks on candidates or employees with the written authorization from the candidates or employees. These may be done for the purposes of offering employment or determining eligibility to work on a specific project. Multiple searches may be required.
Certain Affinity does not accept unsolicited referrals or resumes from any source other than directly from candidates.
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