Franchise Production Director

We are looking for an experienced and senior Production Director who is passionate about the craft of Development Management and its role in achieving quality releases, on time and budget. This role will be responsible for overseeing the successful development and production of the Total War franchise and its portfolio of titles. You will define ‘how’ we make Total War games and work through the Development Management craft, the Franchise and Project Leadership Teams to apply the necessary approach to achieve high quality releases, on time, on budget. You understand the iterative nature of game development and the importance of empowering teams to achieve their goals. You will be able to work at scale, across a portfolio of projects and studios, working at both the franchise level focused on the long term, and the project level supporting project leadership teams on day-to-day challenges. The Total War Development Management and Quality Assurance Teams report into this role. You will be responsible for their development and overall performance. This role is part of the Total War Franchise Leadership Team and reports to the VP of Total War. As part of this team, you will be a key contributor to the Total War Franchise strategy. You will also work closely with SEGA stakeholders to increase communication, collaboration, and joint transparency. As a senior leader within Total War and Creative Assembly, you will be responsible for advocating company strategy and values, established franchise pillars, and building high performing teams within TW.

Key Responsibilities Production:

• Leverage proven expertise to introduce best-in-class production practices to Development Management and Quality Assurance teams, ensuring alignment with franchise leaders to deliver quality within budget and boundaries.
• Develop and implement strategies that coach and drive the team towards adopting new practices.
• Build internal processes and structures that enable the effective utilization of co-development and outsourcing partners.
• Embed data-driven methodologies across the production department to enhance decision-making and efficiency.
• Develop a culture of continuous improvement across the Franchise, with a particular focus on Development Management and Quality Assurance.
• Implement and maintain effective risk management practices across all stages of the development lifecycle.
• Collaborate with the Franchise Leadership Team to mitigate identified product risks through Development Directors and QA.
• Work with Directors and Product Owners to identify and resolve inefficiencies in pipelines and processes across product teams, raising franchise-level solutions with the Franchise Leadership Team.
• Communicate the successes, progress, and achievements of the Development teams to reinforce and establish best practices and knowledge sharing.
• Collaborate with Project Leadership teams to manage project budgets, ensuring effective and efficient resource allocation.
• Continuously evaluate scope and capacity planning to identify resource needs and project risks and engage in identifying solutions.
• Act as the point of escalation for conflict management, finding solutions to ensure smooth project progression.

Resource Management:

• Own, build and refine a reliable and robust global resource strategy for the Franchise based on the Product Roadmap which fits the business goals and assigned budgets.
• Assess the current staffing plans and work with Directors, Leads and Product Owners to identify skill gaps and structural issues to create a plan that both mitigates current shortfalls and risk, while building the Franchise talent and structure for future sustainability.
• Assess our current and projected resource allocations, including the division between in-house and external development, and explore methods to change the balance to meet future business needs. This includes embracing the concept of Distributed Development and assessing where we build and strengthen.

People Leadership:

• Develop and drive High Performing Teams within your crafts and throughout the franchise.
• Use your proven expertise to ensure and promote our company values and culture.
• Maintain a safe and collaborative working environment.
• Identify and support the development of our next generation of leaders.
• Foster a culture of innovation and creativity within the team, encouraging new ideas and approaches to game development.
• Manage direct reports and provide mentorship to team members, fostering a culture of growth and development.
• Ensure Total War Development Management and QA crafts are highly engaged, as measured by our regular team health surveys.

Stakeholder Management:

• Work closely with SEGA stakeholders to increase communication, collaboration, and joint transparency.
• Communicate regularly with senior management and other stakeholders to provide updates on project status, risks, and opportunities.
• Work effectively across disciplines to ensure aligned plans and approaches to deliver on our objectives.

Strategy:

• Support the development and rollout of the Total War Franchise Strategy and Strategic Plan as a member of the Franchise Leadership Team.
• Be the vision holder for the Development Management and Quality Assurance craft within Total War.
• Support the rollout and application of Creative Assembly’s studio strategy.

Knowledge, Skill and Experience

Essential

• 10+ years of relevant experience in a Production leadership role, in the games industry, on projects at scale.
• Shipped multiple AAA PC and console games.
• Demonstrate a deep understanding and relevant experience on how all departments within game development work.
• Demonstrate a deep understanding and relevance of the entire production pipeline, with publishers, third parties, console and pc, manufacturing and digital.
• Forward-thinking leader who can deliver operational excellence in complex, interconnected environments.
• Expert knowledge of game development production methodologies, tools, and best practices.
• Experience developing and mentoring a team of Producers and motivating a wider multi-disciplinary team.
• A role model of personal organization and communication both written and verbal, able to adapt their style successfully to a wide variety of contexts.
• Proficiency in production management software such as JIRA, or similar tools.
• Experience managing and operating in a hybrid-remote context, adapting to evolving workplace environments.
• Proven experience working directly with large global IP and brand stakeholders, ensuring alignment and high-quality player experiences.
• A gamer to the core, and a fan of Total War series. You will be motivated by seeing teams succeed, and will deeply analyze the games you play to achieve that goal.
• Attention to detail and a passion for making quality products.
• Self-motivated, focused, and prolifically productive.
• Highly aware of the shifting sands of the gaming industry and the gaming market. Uses this information to help keep the franchise ahead of trends.

Desirable

• Experience working on strategy titles.
• Knowledge of the Warhammer franchise.
• An interest in history.

About Creative Assembly
Creative Assembly crafts deep and detailed games that last, entertaining millions of players across the globe for decades.
We are all game makers and we care deeply about the experiences we create. We empower our teams to make significant contributions to our games, supported by skills development and growth opportunities.
We are located in Horsham, UK and Sofia, Bulgaria.
We offer many benefits to support you and your family including:

• Work from Anywhere for a temporary period each year (restrictions apply such as VISAs).
• Enhanced holiday allowance, maternity and paternity breaks, flexibility with our core hours, and no-notice holidays.
• Bespoke relocation package for you and your dependents.
• Private medical and dental insurance, life insurance, permanent health insurance, critical illness cover, and free healthcare screening.
• Generous holiday allowance plus full studio closure over the Christmas and New Year period, and all Bank holidays.
• Join our Diversity and Inclusion Network – an employee-led group.
• Season ticket travel loans and cycle to work scheme with free bike servicing and discounted car valet service on site.
• Wellbeing support and virtual confidential counseling.
• Community activities including parties, football and more.
• Our studio sites have disabled access.
• Hybrid working.

We are an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, religion or belief.
Note to Recruitment Agencies: SEGA Europe Limited and our studios do not accept unsolicited candidate introductions from unauthorized third parties. For the avoidance of doubt, SEGA Europe is not liable for any fees, compensation or any other costs associated with the introduction of a candidate or recruitment services unless and until an agreement has been duly executed. Further details can be found here .

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