Associate Development Director – AAA – UK North

We are in search of an Associate Development Director to join our client for the early development phase of an exciting new AAA multiplayer action game built on Unreal Engine 5.

This ambitious project aims to redefine the multiplayer gaming experience by innovatively merging gameplay mechanics and weaving intricate storytelling elements into a distinctive game world.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Collaborate with the Development Director to oversee project delivery and manage budgets, including sprint and milestone planning, as well as production plans and team structure.

• Identify and proactively address risks and issues throughout the project lifecycle.

• Work closely with the Production team to ensure the accuracy and upkeep of project schedules.

• Assist the Creative and Game Directors in shaping the project’s direction, scope, and ensuring high-quality delivery.

• Regularly report on project progress to the internal team, studio leadership, and external partners.

• Partner with the Production team to uphold quality standards while adhering to project timelines and budget constraints.

• Foster strong relationships with external collaborators.

• Champion the development of a positive and collaborative team culture, promoting inclusive decision-making alongside the Development Director.

• Manage intake of requests from various project stakeholders, assessing them against available resources and schedules.

• Continuously refine existing processes and contribute to the introduction of new ones.

• Coordinate schedule reviews and document feedback.

• Work in close collaboration with the Production team to ensure seamless content continuity and appropriate allocation of resources across teams.

• Mentor members of the feature Production team.

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

• Substantial experience in the game or film industry, including at least one complete project cycle with a shipped title.

• Previous involvement in long-term planning, with the ability to create comprehensive project plans and milestones that provide a clear roadmap to game completion.

• Confidence in tracking work progress and effectively mitigating risks, adapting to changes and challenges while maintaining a credible project plan.

• Proficiency in both proprietary and Unreal Engine toolsets.

• A friendly and approachable demeanour, comfortable working in and promoting a diverse work environment.

• Strong communication skills, capable of engaging with both artistic and technical team members.

• Adaptable to shifting between day-to-day problem-solving and high-level strategic thinking.

• Expertise in project management practices (such as Agile, Prince2, etc.).

• Experience in budgeting and outsourcing planning.

• Familiarity with industry-standard software packages (MS Office, Jira, Perforce, etc.).

BONUS SKILLS

• Experience in AAA game production.

• Familiarity with Confluence for documentation.

• Previous experience collaborating closely with a leadership team.

This role is hybrid in North England. Relocation, Visa support and other incredible benefits are provided.

Prior experience in these areas would be desirable but the studio really values talent and passion above all else!

Get in touch with vicci@datascope.co.uk for more information about this incredible opportunity!

We are partnered with numerous studios so if this position isn’t quite right for you but you are looking for your next role still get in touch and we can discuss what you’re looking for.