Senior Manager Art Design

KONAMI GAMING INC•Las Vegas, NV

28d•$115,000 - $150,000•Onsite

About The Position

Konami Gaming is looking for a Manager, Art Design to join our team! This position is responsible for overseeing the Art Design team, in collaboration and alignment with other Art Design leaders and with direction from the Art Director. The role guides artists in casino slot game art direction, determining the style, technique and media best suited to produce desired effect while conforming to production requirements. This involves supporting artists in researching, designing, and developing illustration and animation, including game theme, layout, characters, and symbols. This role also mentors and trains artists. This position collaborates constantly with artists, game designers, and engineers, as well as leadership across Art Design, Game Design, and Software teams. This is an onsite position, requiring the flexibility to act autonomously at all times while adhering to overall department and company policies and procedures.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Art, Animation or similar field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Minimum 8 years of gaming experience with at least 5 years managing successful art design teams.
Fluent understanding of slot game art standards (theme, color, and gaming symbols).
Direct hands-on experience developing 2D/3D art for slot games is required.
Ability to communicate professionally and efficiently, both verbal and written with all levels of the business.
Must be able to obtain and maintain Gaming licensure(s).
Expert technical understanding of game development and art pipeline.
Photoshop experience required; After Effects, Illustrator, Animate, Maya, and Unity experience desirable.
Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods.
Position must attend monthly Field Research trips to casinos, tradeshows, or as needed.
Must be able to tolerate areas containing varying noise and temperature levels, illumination, vibration, crowds, and air quality.
Must be able to tolerate areas containing secondhand smoke.
Onsite full-time/40+ hours per week.
Must be flexible to work overtime, including nights, weekends, and holidays as required.
Must be comfortable working in an area with limited working space for long hours with the ability to remain seated at computer terminal for extended periods of time.
Extreme repetitive motion using keyboard, mouse, and telephone.
Must be able to work at assigned location to enable direct communications and interactions with team members, management, and others as necessary, unless traveling for a business-related purpose.
Ability to work effectively and efficiently in a high-stress, fast-paced, and high-pressure environment while maintaining high standards of accuracy, paying attention to detail, and meeting assigned deadlines.
Demonstrates high integrity, trust, and strict confidentiality.
Ability to maintain excellent communication and a positive, respectful, and professional attitude and relationship with clients, employees, peers, co-workers, all levels of management, and all outside organizations conducting business or otherwise interacting with the company.
Ability to always act autonomously while adhering to overall department and company policies and procedures.
Position shall work primarily in a smoke free office environment.
The noise level is low to moderate.
Position shall maintain a cubicle or office in close proximity to other cubicles and offices.

Nice To Haves

Master’s Degree and art-related certifications or awards desirable.
After Effects, Illustrator, Animate, Maya, and Unity experience desirable.

Responsibilities

Manages teams and individuals in game art design and production.
Develops art design strategy in consultation with game designers, engineers, and sales/marketing departments.
Provides direction on visual presentation and technical creation of game art.
Creates, enhances, and assists in the creation of game art.
Guides and designs concepts, storyboards, and animation to lead the team toward a winning combination of game theme and market appeal.
Directs, finishes, and modifies art under tight deadlines.
Works with Art Director, leadership, and artists in planning and scheduling of game art development.
Directs artists’ workload and allocates resources according to business priorities.
Contributes innovative and original ideas to game teams and art team, seeking player-centric gains.
Evaluates new software and hardware technologies for integration into game production.
Guides the direction of art pipeline and processes, planning direction for future improvements.
Integrates new 2D and 3D processes into game production where appropriate.
Analyzes Konami and competitor products and field performance in the field from a player’s perspective to find industry trends, consider players in art design, and discern which art approaches are most effective to appeal to gamblers.
Expert knowledge of hit slot titles’ art and features, and what makes successful/unsuccessful game art that supports features.
Understands and applies industry art design standards and art requirements.
Can project future trends, and drive Konami’s art to lead the way.
Leads field research, including: Research trips to casinos monthly or as required. Researching via online methods (e.g., YouTube) to build familiarity with the industry. Drives and provides input on follow-up team analysis. Attend G2E and other tradeshows or conferences as needed, teaching the team of findings.
Motivates, trains, and mentors artists across fine art, technique, and industry knowledge building.
Reports to Director any discrepancies or problems requiring resolution.
Performs other related duties as assigned.