Intermediate Producer / Project Manager

📋 Description

• Oversee software developers, designers, artists, animators, and testers, collaborating with client teams to guide the delivery of video games.

• Actively manage and mitigate project risks throughout production using project management methodologies.

• Develop roadmaps and task breakdowns while keeping client stakeholders informed on status and risks.

• Anticipate project costs, maintain financial records, and coordinate invoicing.

• Mentor and develop your team by conducting regular 1-on-1 meetings and annual performance reviews.

• Continuously assess priorities, staffing, and resources, and strategically adjust business strategies to accommodate changing requirements.

• Ensure visibility both internally and externally; present and review with company leadership, internal teams, and clients.

• Employ creative problem-solving skills to remove obstacles for the team and navigate through uncertainty.

• Playtest the game, advocate for players, and provide feedback to various internal teams.

• Aim to understand both client and team perspectives to reach consensus. Demonstrate curiosity about team tasks to ensure alignment with client objectives.

• Maintain strong ownership of project outcomes and proactively pinpoint areas for enhancement.

• Exhibit flexibility and effectiveness in adapting to new situations within a highly dynamic environment.

• Contribute to studio-wide process enhancements beyond your individual projects.

• Travel to external client locations for on-site relationship building.

⛳️ Requirements

• A minimum of 4 years of leadership experience in gaming production, game project management, or consumer-focused software application development for external stakeholders.

• Proven experience in establishing long-term, trust-based relationships with clients.

• Collaborated closely with clients to deliver products that meet contractual requirements.

• Managed client expectations, ensuring they have a clear understanding of project realities.

• Balanced client objectives with team capabilities and studio well-being.

• Skilled in facilitating discussions around project adjustments, risks, and new opportunities in a diplomatic, calm, and solutions-oriented manner.

• At least 4 years of project management experience, utilizing various development methodologies: Agile, Scrum, Waterfall, Kanban, etc.

• Experience in initiating, planning, executing, monitoring, controlling, and closing software development projects, from pitch to certification.

• Served as the key leader responsible for delivering at least one project with a team of 5+ members and a budget of $200K+ CAD.

• Demonstrated ability to work independently to plan, estimate, schedule, and track work across development, design, art, and testing disciplines.

• Familiarity with multiple project management and product management tools for task tracking and documentation, such as Jira, Confluence, ADO, Excel, Miro, Figma, Trello, etc.

• Understanding of cross-discipline workflows and pipelines (art, engineering, design, QA, animation, etc.).

• Experience managing scope, resource allocations, financials, and drafting contracts.

• Developed and executed processes that keep projects on track, including risk management and dependency tracking.

• Created recovery strategies for projects that fall behind or change direction.

• At least 4 years of experience in supporting and developing medium-sized teams of 5 or more people with a high degree of autonomy.

• Provided mentorship, guidance, and constructive feedback to facilitate team members' career growth across various disciplines.

• Adopted a ‘people first’ approach when making decisions to support team members' work-life balance.

• Encouraged open communication, clarity, and cross-discipline collaboration.

• Recognized team needs early and took proactive measures to address interpersonal issues or performance gaps with emotional intelligence and compassion.

• Contributed to fostering a positive team culture by managing morale, motivating colleagues, and promoting healthy work habits.

• Experienced in creating a psychologically safe environment for new ideas.

• Nice to have Experience

• Game publishing experience leading to a shipped title.

• Familiarity with various game engines, platforms, and genres.

• Experience with direct reports and conducting their annual performance evaluations.

• Comfortable participating in pitches and contract negotiations.

• Experience managing distributed development across multiple cultures and time zones.

• Educational background or experience in IT, interactive media, digital art, software testing, game design, or software development.

🏝️ Benefits

• A diverse array of project types and clients, ranging from indie to AAA, in a modern studio environment that promotes a no-crunch culture and a relaxed atmosphere.

• Comprehensive benefits package that includes Dental Care, Health Care (with out-of-country coverage), Vision Care, Long-Term Disability, Physiotherapy, Massage, and more.

• Generous leave policies, including 4 weeks of paid vacation (plus 1 additional week during the Holiday Season), unlimited sick leave, 2 paid personal days, and 1 paid volunteer day. We also offer parental leave top-up and an Employee and Family Assistance Plan that provides 24/7 free and confidential support for physical and mental health.

• RRSP Matching.

• A dynamic and supportive team environment rich in experience and a fantastic culture, featuring board game nights, movie nights, arcade tournaments, and more to relax and connect.

• An opportunity to shape and advance your career in a smaller studio connected to a global studio network.

• A stylish yet cozy hoodie!