At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the creation of innovative content for The Sims and manage project teams.
- Company: Join Maxis, a creative hub for game developers and storytellers.
- Benefits: Enjoy healthcare, mental well-being support, paid time off, and complimentary games.
- Other info: Dynamic hybrid work environment with opportunities for career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the gaming world while inspiring creativity and inclusivity.
- Qualifications: Experience in game production and team management; knowledge of The Sims is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Welcome to Maxis, home to tinkerers, craftspeople, & storytellers. Our drive is to inspire everyone to make a better world through creative play. As the developer of The Sims, we create games and experiences for millions of people around the world and are always looking for new ways to inspire our players. Maxis is a place where you can do what you love and help others grow while doing it; a place where your unique voice can be heard and seen. We put creativity and inclusivity at the core of our work and don't settle for seeing the world only as it is, but strive to build a world as it could be.
Maxis is seeking a Production Lead to join our dynamic European team. This is a unique opportunity to lead the creation of innovative new content for The Sims, working alongside some of the industry’s most talented professionals. As Production Lead you are the guardian of the player promise. You’ll oversee the development of DLC and collaborate closely with internal partners to successfully bring these experiences to players worldwide. You’ll also serve as the people manager for the Production craft, championing and representing your team within studio leadership. You will be reporting to the studio Senior Development Director. Location: Guildford (Hybrid)
Responsibilities
- Ownership of DLC or business initiative.
- Lead pre‑production efforts to ensure success and help define the initial vision for new projects.
- Manage external relationships for your project, collaborating with marketing, brand, legal, and campaign teams.
- Be accountable for your project’s key performance indicators (KPIs).
- Clearly articulate and communicate your area’s vision and strategy, ensuring alignment within the broader studio and project context.
- Play a key role in staffing and budget planning for your team and project.
- Spot new business opportunities, champion them to leadership, and drive their successful execution.
- Lead the scoping and prioritization process for your project, considering wider impacts on other teams and projects.
- Deliver compelling presentations to senior leaders and your own teams, championing the business vision and design.
- You will own and lead Gate (or equivalent) review processes, serving as the front‑line vision holder.
- You will be the people manager for our Producer team.
- You will be part of the studio leadership planning and preparing for the future of the team.
- In your daily work you will be balancing the short and long term objectives.
- Collaborating with partners and stakeholders in North America.
Qualifications
- You are an effective communicator, proactive, and enjoy collaborating with teams to make great games.
- You are able to jump into scenario planning or strategy planning with ease.
- Comfortable dealing with uncertainty.
- You are able to operate independently; escalating problems you cannot solve on your own, with proposed solutions.
- You understand how to interpret staffing, budget planning and financial data.
- You have Producer or Product Owner experience on several published games for PC, console, or mobile.
- You have direct experience as a people manager and have mentored more junior team members.
- Comfortable working in a matric organization.
- Knowledge of The Sims is a bonus!
We adopt a holistic approach to our benefits programs, emphasizing physical, emotional, financial, career, and community wellness to support a balanced life. Our packages are tailored to meet local needs and may include healthcare coverage, mental well‑being support, retirement savings, paid time off, family leaves, complimentary games, and more. We nurture environments where our teams can always bring their best to what they do.
Electronic Arts is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, genetic information, religion, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, marital status, family status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We will also consider employment qualified applicants with criminal records in accordance with applicable law. EA also makes workplace accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities as required by applicable law.
Production Lead in Guildford employer: Maxis Studios
Maxis is an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant and inclusive work culture, where creativity thrives and every voice is valued. Located in Guildford, our hybrid work environment allows for flexibility while collaborating with some of the industry's most talented professionals to create innovative content for The Sims. We prioritise employee growth through comprehensive benefits, including healthcare, mental well-being support, and opportunities for career advancement, ensuring that our team members can achieve a balanced and fulfilling life both personally and professionally.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Production Lead in Guildford
✨Join Product Management Meetups
Get involved in local product management meetups or workshops. These events are perfect for meeting industry folks, sharing ideas, and staying updated on trends. Plus, you never know who might be hiring—it's a fantastic way to make connections that could lead to a job at places like Maxis Studios!
✨Show Off Your Product Sense
Create case studies or mini-projects showcasing your product management skills, and share them on platforms like Medium or LinkedIn. This not only puts your skills on display but also boosts your visibility in the product community. Imagine how impressed the hiring team at Maxis Studios would be by your initiative!
✨Utilise Online Communities
Dive into online product management communities like Product Coalition or Mind the Product. Engage in discussions, ask questions, and share your insights. These platforms are goldmines for networking and finding hidden job opportunities—many companies often scout talent from within these circles.
✨Leverage Your University Network
If you’ve recently graduated or are still in uni, tap into your alumni network for connections in product management. Many universities have their own job boards and affinity resources to help graduates land roles. Don't forget to keep an eye out for job openings at Maxis Studios through your school's career services!
We think you need these skills to ace Production Lead in Guildford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Product Passion:When applying for a product management role like Production Lead, let your passion for developing products shine through in your cover letter. Share specific examples of products you've managed, how you solved user needs, and any successful outcomes you've achieved. This is your chance to showcase your understanding of the product lifecycle!
Highlight Your Cross-Functional Skills:Product management isn't just about understanding the product; it’s about collaborating with different teams! Make sure to emphasise your experience working with developers, designers, and marketers. Use your CV to showcase your ability to bridge gaps between these areas, and include relevant experiences that demonstrate your communication and leadership skills!
Include Your Metrics and Achievements:In a full-time product management application, data speaks volumes! Quantify your achievements wherever possible. Did you increase user retention by a certain percentage? Launch a product ahead of schedule? Include these metrics in your CV to paint a picture of your impact and effectiveness in previous roles.
Tailor Your CV to the Role:Make sure your CV is tailored for the Production Lead position at Maxis Studios. Use keywords from the job description and ensure your relevant experiences are front and centre. Highlight any certifications or relevant training you’ve completed that will make you stand out as a strong candidate for the role. And remember, we’re excited to see your application on our website!
How to prepare for a job interview at Maxis Studios
✨Understand the Product Life Cycle
As a product management candidate, we need to get our head around the complete product life cycle. Be prepared to discuss real-world examples of how you’ve managed product development from ideation to launch. Bring specific insights on tools like JIRA or Trello that can help streamline these processes.
✨Showcase Your Cross-Functional Skills
Product management is all about collaboration. We should be ready to highlight how we’ve worked across teams—think marketing, engineering, and design. Prepare to discuss scenarios where you had to mediate differing opinions and how you got everyone on board with a shared vision.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
In a full-time role, we can expect to encounter case study questions during our interviews. Practise solving hypothetical product problems on the spot, such as prioritising features for a new app or improving user engagement metrics. This will show our analytical thinking and decision-making skills.
✨Know Your Metrics
Let’s face it, numbers are our best friends in product management. We should prepare to discuss key performance indicators (KPIs) and how we've used analytics to inform product decisions. Dive into examples where data has driven our strategy for improvements or justified product changes.
