Art Director

WE ARE GAME MAKERS

Who we are:

We are a diverse team of developers driven by a passion for our art, united by our core values and inspired by a culture of inclusivity to build amazing games that thrill players everywhere. We pursue growth and innovation in an environment of safety and trust. Our culture is built on the belief that the more varied voices in our collective will strengthen our team and our games. We are looking for our next teammate who will raise our bar and make us better.

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:

Leadership

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

Partners and Risk

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 fu ll 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 compensatio n and benefit plans (if applicable) will be pro vided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired, e mploy ee will be in an "at-will position" and the company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any oth er discretionary payment or compensation or benefit program) at any time, including for reasons related to indiv idual performance, company or individual department/team per formance, and market factors.

31st Union prides itself on the diversity of its team members, partners, and communities . For this reason, we remain committed to providing equal employment opportunity in all aspects of the employment relationship, from recruitment and hiring through co mpensation, benefits, discipline and termination . This means that employment at 31st Union depends on your substantive ability, objective q ualifications and work ethic – not on your age, race (including traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles), height, weight, religion, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orie ntation, gender (including gender identity and expression), alienage or citizenship status, transgender, military or veteran status, physical or mental disability (a ctual or perceived), medical condition, AIDS/HIV, denial of family and medical care leave, genetic information, predisposition or carrier status, pregnancy status, childbirth, breastfeeding (or related medical conditions), marital status or registered domestic partner status, political activity or affiliation, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking, arrest record, or taking or requesting statutorily protected leaves, or any other classific ation protected by federal, state, or local laws .

As an equal opportunity employer, we are also committed to ensuring that qualified individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation(s) to participate in the job appli cation and/or interview process, to perform their…