Studio Art Lead

**SOFTGAMES** is looking for a **Studio Art Lead - Fully Remote** to elevate our studio's artistic quality and performance. In this role you will focus on 3 core areas:

- Art Team Development
- Moderating art-related communication between artists, game teams, and management
- Concept creation for new projects

As Studio Art Lead, you will have a unique position within our organization: Your role is essential in establishing high artistic standards while respecting the unique direction of each project. You will focus on advising, mentoring, and supporting the teams as you guide artists across various game teams, fostering an environment where creativity, innovation, and professional growth can thrive.

All of this will be achieved in a remote environment, requiring a strong ability to connect without in-person interaction effectively.

**_Qualified applicants will be expected to complete an Art Assignment._

**Your Role**:
Your role consists of three main parts:

- Art Team Development and Expansion
- Mentor and train artists across multiple game teams.
- Identify talent gaps and help recruit specialized roles.
- Introduce modern tools, techniques, and workflows to streamline production and elevate artistic output.
- Establish standards and improve processes.
- Moderation and Support for Artists
- Facilitate cross-team knowledge exchange to foster collaboration and growth.
- Moderate communication and feedback loops between artists without compromising the independence of individual game teams.
- Raise Art related topics to studio management.
- Promote a positive, collaborative culture, ensuring the art team feels supported and empowered.
- Concept Creation and New Project Support
- Play a key role in creating new concepts and defining art styles for upcoming projects.
- Assemble and guide new project teams, providing direction on style, vision, and execution.
- Collaborate closely with other leads to establish the foundation for successful project execution.

**Additional Responsibilities**:

- Conduct regular 1-on-1s with artists to check in on their progress, provide feedback, and offer support.
- Champion the implementation of new technology and software that aligns with the studio's vision.
- Collaborate with other department leads (e.g., design, programming) to ensure a smooth development pipeline.
- Contribute to studio-level discussions on the future of our games and how to elevate their visual identity.
- Manage the overall health and well-being of the art team, advocating for work-life balance and healthy workloads.

**Your profile**:
You’re a highly experienced artist who understands both the creative and technical aspects of game art and can align artistic goals with production realities. An empathetic leader with a passion for mentoring and nurturing artistic talent. You create a supportive environment where artists can thrive and grow, balancing individual development with team needs.
- A minimum of 10+ years in the games industry, with a proven track record of contributing to shipped titles, preferably in casual games.
- At least 5+ years of experience in a Senior Artist or leadership position within a gaming studio, showcasing strong artistic direction and team leadership.
- An exceptional portfolio that demonstrates expertise in creating game art, including concept art, asset creation, and stylistic leadership.
- Proven experience mentoring and leading teams, providing actionable feedback, and fostering the growth of artists’ talents across multiple projects.
- Hands-on experience with modern art tools and software, such as Adobe Creative Suite, Unity, 3D modeling software (Blender, Maya, etc.), and version control systems (e.g., Git).
- Thorough understanding of the game development cycle, from concept to final release, and how art integrates seamlessly within it.
- Exceptional Communication in English, both verbal and written.
- A proactive attitude and genuine passion for casual games, driving continuous improvement and innovation in both team management and artistic output.

**Benefits**:
SOFTGAMES offers a competitive package, including:

- Remote first - We have a flexible working setup. Either fully remote wherever you are or on-site in our modern office in central Berlin - You decide.
- Flexible working hours - Structure your working hours to your needs. No crunch, no overtime
- Generous vacation regulation no matter where you are
- Home office allowance - Working from home but something is missing? We offer a budget to make your home office as productive as possible.
- Further Training - Everyone at SOFTGAMES is offered training opportunities to strengthen their skills or learn something new
- Studio - We’re a remote-first company but also offer a super modern office with state-of-the-art tech, based in the center of Berlin.
- Equipment - Choose between a MacBook Pro or Lenovo Laptop.
- Meal allowances - A monthly budget is additionally granted to be spent for your lunches