Art Outsource Manager

PCF is seeking an Art Outsource Manager to oversee the management and coordination of art outsourcing activities for an upcoming title. The role involves ensuring timely delivery of high-quality assets that meet artistic and technical standards. Key responsibilities include managing the end-to-end outsourcing process, collaborating with internal art leads, understanding various asset workflows, and building a cohesive pipeline for efficient asset delivery, reviews, and approvals. The manager will also identify and solve potential issues, foster strong communication with external partners, and negotiate contracts.

Must Have

• Manage the end-to-end art outsourcing process, including sourcing, onboarding, and communication with external partners.
• Collaborate closely with internal art leads and art director to establish asset specifications.
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive understanding of various asset workflows (3D models, textures, animations).
• Create and implement a cohesive pipeline for efficient asset delivery, reviews, revisions, and final approvals.
• Proactively identify potential issues or bottlenecks in the outsourcing process and implement effective solutions.
• Foster strong and transparent communication channels with external partners, providing clear feedback and support.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Art Directors, Producers, Project Managers) to align project goals.
• Conduct regular performance evaluations of external partners.
• Negotiate contracts with vendors, establish costs and deliverables, and manage budget.
• Previous experience as an Art Outsource Manager or similar role in the gaming industry, ideally with at least one shipped AAA project.
• Strong knowledge of asset workflows for various game assets, including environment assets, character models, VFX, and concept packages.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Strong organizational and project management abilities, with a track record of managing multiple outsourcing tasks simultaneously.
• In-depth understanding of the game development process.
• Familiarity with industry-standard tools and software used for asset creation and management.
• A creative eye for detail and a deep appreciation for visual aesthetics.
• Proven problem-solving skills and the ability to think strategically.
• Firm understanding of how to use project management tools such as Jira and Confluence.

Perks & Benefits

• Benefit package 100% paid by PCF (up to $1000 per service a year, individual/family coverage)
• Full Dental coverage, including major dental and orthodontics
• 4% RRSP matching before tax deductions, 100% vested on day 1
• Paid week off during Winter Holidays
• 20 paid vacation days
• 5 paid sick days
• Free virtual health and mental wellbeing sessions included in the plan
• Personal development opportunities and ability to work in a global environment
• Work in a creative team with people full of passion for what they do

Company Description

People Can Fly is one of the leading independent AAA game development studios. Our international team consists of hundreds of talented individuals working from offices in Poland, the UK, Ireland, the US, and Canada, as well as remotely across the globe.

Founded in 2002, we made our mark on the shooter genre with titles such as Painkiller, Bulletstorm, Gears of War: Judgment, and Outriders. As one of the most experienced Unreal Engine studios in the industry, we continue to expand on our expertise and push the boundaries of what’s possible in game development.

Our creative teams are currently working on several exciting titles: Gears of War: E-Day developed in collaboration with Microsoft; Project Echo for KRAFTON; and Lost Rift, an original IP we are developing in-house under our self-publishing model. We are also exploring new platforms and experiences with VR and other unannounced projects.

With over 20 years of experience, PCF continues to explore new horizons. We aim to combine our expertise with the creativity of the best and most forward-thinking talent in the industry, building the next generation of action games for players worldwide.

If you join us on this journey, you’ll have the chance to perfect your craft, expand your knowledge, and work alongside industry leaders to create unique, unforgettable experiences for gamers everywhere.

Job Description

PCF is looking for an Art Outsource Manager to drive outsource content for our next title.

You will be responsible for overseeing the management and coordination of art outsourcing activities, ensuring the timely delivery of high-quality assets that meet our artistic and technical standards. Your exceptional communication skills, deep understanding of asset workflows, and ability to build a cohesive pipeline will be vital to fostering a consistent flow of assets from external partners.

As an Art Outsource Manager, you will be expected to:

• Manage the end-to-end art outsourcing process, including sourcing, onboarding, and maintaining communication with external art studios and individual artists.
• Collaborate closely with internal art leads and our art director to understand project requirements, establish asset specifications, and communicate these effectively to external partners.
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive understanding of a variety of asset workflows (3D models, textures, animations, etc.), and ensure smooth integration of outsourced assets into the project pipeline.
• Create and implement a cohesive pipeline that supports efficient asset delivery, reviews, revisions, and final approvals.
• Proactively identify potential issues or bottlenecks in the outsourcing process and implement effective solutions to ensure timely delivery and adherence to quality standards.
• Foster strong and transparent communication channels with external partners, providing clear feedback, guidance, and support throughout the asset creation process.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, such as Art Directors, Producers, and Project Managers, to align project goals, schedules, and expectations.
• Conduct regular performance evaluations of external partners to assess their capabilities, quality, and adherence to project requirements.
• Negotiate contracts with vendors, establishing costs and deliverables, requesting approval from legal and finance on during negotiation phase, then continuing to maintain and monitor the costs/budget after contracts are in place

Qualifications

Qualifications:

• Previous experience as an Art Outsource Manager or a similar role within the gaming industry, ideally at least one shipped triple AAA project.
• Strong knowledge of asset workflows for various types of game assets, including environment assets, character models, vfx and concept packages.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to effectively convey artistic vision, feedback, and technical requirements.
• Strong organizational and project management abilities, with a track record of successfully managing multiple outsourcing tasks simultaneously.
• In-depth understanding of the game development process and the ability to align art outsourcing activities with internal project milestones and deadlines.
• Familiarity with industry-standard tools and software used for asset creation and management.
• A creative eye for detail and a deep appreciation for visual aesthetics, ensuring the delivery of assets that align with our artistic vision.
• Proven problem-solving skills and the ability to think strategically to address potential challenges and optimize the outsourcing process.
• Firm Understanding of how to use project management tools such as Jira and Confluence.

Additional Information

What we offer:

Canada

• Benefit package 100% paid by PCF. Insurance company reimburses 100% of claims (Up to $1000 per service a year, as well as individual family coverage).
• Full Dental coverage, including major dental and orthodontics.
• 4% RRSP matching before tax deductions, 100% vested on day 1.
• Paid week off during Winter Holidays.
• 20 paid vacation days and 5 paid sick days.
• Free virtual health and mental wellbeing sessions included in the plan for members and their dependents.
• Personal development opportunities and ability to work in a global environment.
• Work in a creative team with people full of passion for what they do.