What are the responsibilities and job description for the Design Manager position at Gearbox Software?
Design Manager
The Gearbox Entertainment Company is an award-winning creator and distributor of entertainment for people around the world. Gearbox Entertainment develops and publishes products through its subsidiaries, Gearbox Software and Gearbox Publishing. Gearbox Entertainment has become widely known for successful game franchises including Brothers in Arms and Borderlands, as well as acquired properties Duke Nukem and Homeworld. Gearbox’s ambition is to entertain the world and its key driving objectives include the pursuit of happiness for our talent, partners and customers, the prioritization of entertainment and creativity and a measured respect for profitability. For more information, visit www.Gearbox.com.
Gearbox Software is seeking an experienced manager to join our Design leadership team as a Design Manager. Gearbox has grown leaps and bounds over the past decade, going from a one project studio to a multi-project, multi-studio development house. Covid-19 has also resulted in a more dispersed and global Design team. As we grow, it is increasingly important that we have management ensuring each team is receiving the day-to-day resources they need and looking out for the department's career growth, training, mentorship, and overall wellbeing. This roll will involve working with the Managing Director of Design to take on some organizational tasks for the department such as budgeting, hiring, training, and onboarding. But a Design Manager will also spend their time helping Designers clarify their professional goals, coaching Designers when they need help, and promoting team unity. Some days that might mean helping our department recruiter evaluate new candidates or interview prospective employees. Other days it could include coordinating training sessions and team events. And in between all of that, helping the various Design teams through navigate the day-to-day stresses of shipping creative work. Come help us make better games by helping us make better teams.
This is a new position, and we want to know how you would put your spin on this roll. We are looking for candidates who care deeply about managing creative teams, game design, and navigating the stresses of shipping commercial projects. Prior leadership and management is a must, and we prefer somebody with a modern knowledge of games and design. But we also want to hear from candidates with relevant experience outside of the game industry. The right candidate is the one who is passionate about cultivating healthy teams who are creatively empowered, and is excited to dig into the management work needed to set those teams up for success. If you feel like that is you, or could be you in the future, we want to hear from you. (Please note that this position can also be considered as a Senior Design Manager position for candidates with a more lengthy resume.)
Responsibilities:
- Help guide Design Department hiring and onboarding processes.
- Become the Design Department's point person with Finance and Recruiting teams
- Mentor, coach, and directly supervise Designers when needed
- Create and maintain a positive culture across the design team and promote a healthy work/life balance
- Help Designers understand pathways for career development and facilitate regular performance reviews
- Consult with Creative Directors, Design Directors and Design Leads to supplement design needs where applicable
Qualifications:
- 2 years of creative management experience in the video game industry (or comparable management experience in a similar industry)
- Proven record of communication, empathy, and direction in a creative environment
- Strong understanding of project management processes, and emerging best practices on building healthy work environments
- Strong organization skills and experience following through on long term projects
Bonus Points For:
- Shipped at least one AAA game in a leadership role (or comparable experience)
- Prior recruiting and interviewing experience
- Professional coaching certifications
Gearbox Entertainment believes that all team members should be able to enjoy a work environment free from all forms of discrimination and harassment. We are committed to reflecting the diversity of the world we strive to entertain. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we provide fair and equal treatment to all team members and applicants. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy or maternity, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable national, federal, state or local law.