Tonic Games Group brings together a family of world-class developers and publishers who believe that games are for everyone. More than 300 people strong; we bring together Mediatonic, Fortitude Games, and The Irregular Corporation to create original IP and to invest in independent game developers globally.

Mediatonic is one of the UK’s largest independent games developers which delights in connecting people through original, mass-multiplayer game experiences and breaking the mold with weird and wonderful games across every platform.

We continue to build on our ambitions and projects, as such we are looking to hire an Art Outsource Manager to join our team.

Description:

As Art Outsource Manager you are responsible for overseeing the smooth-running all the outsourcing requirements from Mediatonic’s Art team. Typically, this will be weighted in favor of 3D models and Animation but may encompass all aspects of game artwork. Where the required assets do not fall into your natural skill set, you will work with the relevant disciplines internally to ensure you have the support needed to service those areas in terms of briefing and feedback.

The Art Outsource Manager role is somewhat unique, for several reasons

• It may require working across multiple projects at the same time, requiring the Art Outsource
• Manager to have a strong sense of prioritization and self-management
• During periods where outsourcing is not active, you will revert to your natural skillset to provide hands-on support in creating Art assets directly for use in-game. This will rely on having a thorough and up-to-date knowledge of the tools and pipelines needed to create world-class assets for games across all platforms, as demonstrated in a high-quality portfolio.
• The cross-project nature of this role will mean you need to have an excellent grasp of the
• technical nuances and production requirements required for each product. This will mean working across a wide range of software and communication channels.

REQUIREMENTS

• We are looking for a seasoned outsource manager, experienced in working with innovative and talented teams - with the ability to communicate not just with the Art team, but across the entire project.
• Experienced Artist in your own right. Capable of delivering artwork to high standards for use in-game.
• You use your solid knowledge of 3D software to create original, complex 3D assets. Supports full 3D pipelines from modelling, texturing, lighting, and rendering with an expert understanding of industry modelling and texturing tools.
• Comfortable creating artwork in a range of styles.Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written. Ability to absorb and communicate the game vision. Excellent sensitivity and understanding of the technical requirements of artwork spanning all Art-disciplines.
• Ability to analyze assets creatively and technically and either feedback on assets that fall short, or – where appropriate – make amendments yourself.
• Experience in multiple games.Able to contribute to project scheduling conversations and accurately track the progress of work.

BONUS SKILLS

Industry experience at multiple game/entertainment studios.Experience working with outsourcing teams.Strong knowledge of the outsourcing market with a network of established relationships. Keeps up to date with gaming trends. Demonstrable interest in art.

• Supervision
• Helps evaluate and determine outsource vendors, where necessary - supervises art tests. Supervises the documentation and assets needed for outsourcing briefs – works with Project Leads to direct individuals, as necessary.
• Go-to person for art outsourcing matters across all teams and studios.Responsible for reviewing outsourced art assets and ensuring assets are suitable for game implementation - helps outsource partners to achieve the desired standards.
• Continually seeks to improve art processes.
• Direction & Feedback
• Consistently strives to raise the bar on asset quality. Initiates and manages art feedback sessions with stakeholders. Able to field questions/feedback to deliver assets that meet the Art goals.

In your role you will foster good working practices with the teams at Mediatonic and external service providers and will be the linchpin in this respect, being responsible for raising any risks, issues, or opportunities as you find them.

• You will be supported by a team of world-class Artists and Art Leads who will provide Art Direction and benchmark models to ensure you are able to communicate the game’s artistic style and visual quality. In turn, your knowledge of the inherent challenges of outsourcing artwork will mean you will provide input into this process, contributing to documentation, ensuring benchmark assets are fit for purpose and often creating documentation yourself.
• Alongside your responsibilities to the Art team, you will assist the Production Team/Leads in creating achievable schedules for outsourcing assets. Where issues with delivery occur (e.g. when delivery deadlines are threatened or quality becomes an issue) then you will work with Production and Art leadership to formulate plans to mitigate the issues and work through the issues with the outsource vendor to ensure delivery of the required assets.
• Your attention to detail, as well as your written and verbal communication skills, are exemplary, allowing you to successfully communicate with our teams internally and service providers worldwide.