Lighthouse Games is hiring Art Director, England in Royal Leamington Spa

Lighthouse Games is a premier AAA development studio situated in the historic gaming hub of Royal Leamington Spa. Our mission is simple but profound: to create world‑class gaming experiences that resonate with players on a global scale. We are building an ambitious, unannounced open‑world project that pushes the boundaries of current‑generation technology. Lighthouse Games is seeking a visionary Art Director to join our leadership team. In this role, you will be the North Star for our artistic departments, defining the aesthetic soul of a new universe. This is not just a role about oversight; it is about legacy. You will shape the visual language of an entirely new IP, ensuring that every vista, character, and interface element contributes to a cohesive and breathtaking player journey. Working alongside our Head of Art and Art Development Lead, you will play a pivotal role in elevating the studio’s visual benchmark. We believe in a collaborative, innovative environment where creative leadership is empowered to experiment, iterate, and ultimately deliver perfection.

As the Art Director, your primary objective is to bridge the gap between abstract creative concepts and technical execution. You will hold the “Golden Thread” of the project’s visual narrative, ensuring it remains unbroken from the earliest concept sketches to the final post‑processing passes.

• Visionary Leadership & Aesthetic Direction
  • You are the primary architect of the game’s look and feel. Your responsibility is to develop and communicate an artistic vision that is not only high‑quality but also distinct in a competitive market.
  • Draft and maintain comprehensive Style Guides that serve as the bible for all internal and external artists.
  • Establish visual benchmarks that define the “Gold Standard” for environments, lighting, and character fidelity.
  • Communicate the “why” behind the “what,” ensuring every artist understands the emotional and narrative intent of their work.
• Multidisciplinary Orchestration
  • You will lead and coordinate diverse art teams to ensure a unified output.
  • Provide direction across Environment Art, Character Design, Animation, VFX, and UI/UX.
  • Work closely with the Technical Art department to ensure that the visual ambition is achievable within the performance constraints of modern hardware.
  • Lead the charge in resolving creative bottlenecks, offering elegant solutions when art and design goals appear to conflict.
• Mentorship and Studio Culture
  • You aren’t just a manager; you are a mentor.
  • Conduct regular portfolio reviews and one‑on‑one sessions to foster the professional growth of your team.
  • Maintain a high level of motivation and psychological safety within the art department, encouraging “fail fast” experimentation.
  • Identify talent gaps and assist in the recruitment of world‑class artists to expand our growing studio.

Technical Requirements & Experience

• AAA Pedigree: Extensive experience in a leadership or directorial capacity on major AAA titles. You understand the complexity, scale, and pressure of high‑end game production.
• Artistic Versatility: A deep understanding of current gaming trends, art styles, and historical art movements. You can pivot between hyper‑realism and stylised aesthetics if the project demands it.
• Engine Mastery: Proficiency with Unreal Engine (UE5 experience is a significant plus) and standard content creation suites (Maya, ZBrush, Substance Suite). You should be comfortable “getting into the build” to review assets in context.
• Production Knowledge: A thorough grasp of modern pipelines, including photogrammetry, PBR workflows, and modular environment construction.
• Communication: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills. You must be able to pitch a vision to stakeholders and provide granular, constructive feedback to junior artists alike.

Preferred Qualifications

• Open‑World Expertise: Previous experience navigating the unique challenges of open‑world development (e.g., level streaming, LOD management, and world‑building at scale).
• Agile Proficiency: Experience working within multidisciplinary “feature teams” and agile development frameworks.
• Diversity of Genre: A portfolio that showcases a range of genres—from gritty sci‑fi to lush fantasy.

Life at Lighthouse Games

• Generous Leave: 25 days of annual leave, plus a dedicated day off for your birthday.
• Seasonal Rest: A full studio shutdown between Christmas and New Year to ensure everyone starts the year refreshed.
• Financial Security: A robust Private Pension Scheme and a performance‑based Bonus Scheme that shares the success of the studio with the team.
• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive Private Healthcare for you and your peace of mind.
• Hybrid Flexibility: We balance the creative synergy of in‑person collaboration with the autonomy of home working.

Commonly known as “Silicon Spa”, Leamington is one of the most vibrant game development clusters in the world.

• Creative Community: Surround yourself with thousands of fellow developers in a town built on gaming history.
• Quality of Life: Enjoy stunning Regency architecture, award‑winning parks, and a thriving culinary scene, all while being a short train ride from London and Birmingham.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.