At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead production processes and manage teams to deliver high-quality AAA games.
- Company: Join Lighthouse Games, a cutting-edge AAA studio in Leamington Spa.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, private healthcare, and a bonus scheme.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of gaming while working with industry veterans.
- Qualifications: Experience in game development management and Jira expertise required.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
Lighthouse Games is a new AAA studio in Leamington Spa, committed to redefining the gaming experience through innovation and creativity. We are seeking a talented and experienced Development Manager to join our dynamic team at an exciting stage of growth. This is a pivotal role at the heart of the studio, combining hands-on production leadership, Jira ownership, and people management.
You’ll be responsible for shaping how teams plan, track, and deliver work — ensuring our processes are clear, scalable, and built for high-performance AAA development. Working closely with production, discipline leads, and senior leadership, you’ll bring structure to complexity, drive alignment across teams, and help create an environment where developers can do their best work.
What You’ll Do
- Own and evolve Jira across the studio — driving consistency, structure, and best practice in how work is tracked and delivered
- Design, implement, and continuously improve production processes that scale with studio growth
- Line manage members of the production team, supporting their development, performance, and day-to-day effectiveness
- Maintain and connect high-level development plans, ensuring alignment across teams and leadership priorities
- Identify risks, gaps, and inefficiencies early — and take action to resolve them
- Support milestone planning and ensure deliverables are clearly defined, realistic, and achievable
- Improve visibility of dependencies and progress across disciplines
- Translate stakeholder and playtest feedback into actionable, trackable work
- Act as a key point of coordination between teams and leadership, ensuring clarity and alignment at all levels
Requirements
- Proven experience in a Development Manager, Lead Producer, or similar role within game development
- Strong hands-on experience with Jira administration and configuration (workflows, boards, reporting, structure)
- Experience designing and implementing production processes in a growing or evolving studio
- Previous line management experience, with a focus on coaching and team development
- Excellent planning and organisational skills, with the ability to manage complex dependencies
- Confident communicator who can align teams and present clear, actionable information to stakeholders
- A proactive, solutions-focused mindset with a drive for continuous improvement
Nice to Have
- Experience working on AAA titles
- Experience scaling processes in a fast-growing studio environment
- Familiarity with playtesting, user research, or feedback pipelines
- Background working across multiple disciplines (design, engineering, art, etc.)
Benefits
- 25 Days Holiday, plus 1 day for your birthday
- Studio Shutdown between Christmas and New Year
- Discretionary Bonus Scheme
- Private Pension Scheme
- Private Healthcare
- Health and Well-Being Benefits
- Dental Care
- Optical treatments
- Mental Health Support
Development Manager employer: Lighthouse Games
Contact Detail:
Lighthouse Games Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Development Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts on LinkedIn or attend gaming events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that dream role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Lighthouse Games and its projects. Show us you’re passionate about our mission to redefine gaming. Tailor your answers to reflect how your experience aligns with our goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Do mock interviews with friends or use online platforms. The more comfortable you are talking about your skills and experiences, the better you’ll perform when it counts.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to connect with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Development Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Gaming: When writing your application, let your love for gaming shine through! Share your experiences and what excites you about the industry. We want to see that you're not just looking for a job, but that you're genuinely passionate about creating amazing gaming experiences.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Development Manager role. Highlight your relevant experience with Jira and production processes, and how you've successfully managed teams in the past. We appreciate when candidates take the time to align their skills with our needs!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read. We’re looking for clarity in your communication, so make sure your key achievements and skills stand out!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at Lighthouse Games!
How to prepare for a job interview at Lighthouse Games
✨Know Your Jira Inside Out
Since this role heavily involves Jira administration, make sure you’re well-versed in its functionalities. Brush up on workflows, boards, and reporting features. Being able to discuss how you've used Jira to improve processes in your previous roles will definitely impress.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Development Manager, you'll be managing teams and driving alignment. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past, focusing on coaching and development. Highlight any specific challenges you faced and how you overcame them to foster a high-performance environment.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Process Improvements
This studio is looking for someone who can design and implement scalable production processes. Think about times when you identified inefficiencies and took action to resolve them. Be ready to share these experiences and how they contributed to the success of your projects.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Strong communication skills are key for this role. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. Prepare to discuss how you’ve aligned teams and presented actionable information to stakeholders in the past. This will show that you can be a key point of coordination within the studio.