Senior External Development Manager

AVAILABLE POSITIONS Senior External Development Manager

Position Overview

Are you a passionate game developer with a pioneering mindset? Do you thrive in dynamic, fast-paced environments and love the thrill of creating something new? If so, Zynga, one of the largest and most innovative mobile game development studios, invites you to join our cutting-edge Mid-Core Game Division for an unannounced new game.

At Zynga’s Mid-Core Division, we craft a diverse array of captivating mobile games enjoyed by millions around the globe. Now, we're forging new ground with an exciting 3D action game and seeking talented, self-starting developers to help us bring this vision to life. This is more than just a job – it’s an opportunity to join a team of highly skilled, diverse professionals who are dedicated to pushing the boundaries of mobile gaming.

In the role of Senior External Development Manager, you'll leverage your wide range of skills to create engaging, high-quality gaming experiences. You'll collaborate with innovative Directors, Animators, and Engineers in a supportive environment that values creativity, initiative, and diverse perspectives. If you're ready to take on new challenges and be a part of something groundbreaking, we want to hear from you. Join us and help shape the future of mid-core mobile gaming.

Main Responsibilities 

• Establish, maintain and manage relationships with external vendors.
• Establish testing procedures, quality and business metrics for vetting new outsource contracts.
• Work closely with our Art Lead, Art Producer, Game Art Directors, and Concept Artists to deliver high quality assets from outsource providers that follow documented style guidelines.
• Provide necessary reference material, style guides, and define technical specifications to successfully commission outsourced art.
• Track and review incoming 2D and 3D assets for quality, to ensure it meets all visual and technical requirements.
• Organize internal feedback and sign-off procedures and act as the primary point of contact for communication with Outsource Vendors.
• Develop, maintain, document and continually improve outsourcing procedures and pipelines. Consistently look for ways to work faster, mitigate risk, and get more done with less time and effort.
• Coordinate internally on legal / contractual issues.
• Meet and exceed all internal project deadlines, budgets and milestones.

Desired Skills and Experience 

• Excellent written and visual communication skills – The ExDev manager is in charge of giving feedback notes from the Art Director and other key stakeholders to the External Studio. Feedback is generally given visually with written support, and must take into account time zones, culture, customs, religion and language barriers that may impact the working relationship.
• Strong Art Fundamentals and an excellent eye for character design, color theory, lighting, shape, and form.
• Expert level experience in Adobe Photoshop. Maya/3DS Max/Blender and Unity game engine experience is desirable.
• Writing RFPs for vendors, which consists of not only specs, but extensive references, drawings, mockups, and other resources.
• Team-player – RFPs may contain animatics, storyboards, and technical information from other disciplines. Collaborates closely with internal team members to establish the most effective way to utilize external partners.
• A mastery in one or more project management software suites like Basecamp, Shotgrid, or Notion.
• Schedule and budget management experience – The ExDev manager will work closely with the Internal team to establish roadmap requirements, budget requirements, and key deliverables from the ExDev Partner to coordinate timelines and resourcing needs while maintaining clear and effective asset and schedule tracking for all outsourced projects.
• Experience directing external vendors and/or art direction is preferred.
• A minimum of 5+ years' game industry experience, developing game content across general areas including asset creation, character art and 2D icons.
• Battle Royale, Moba, or Shooter experience is a plus. 

What we offer you 

• Competitive salary, bonus plan and ESPP (Employee Stock Purchase Plan)
• 401K Company Match Contribution (US)
• RRSP/DPSP company match contribution (Canada)
• Health coverage, dental, disability, critical illness, EAP, and life insurance (Canada)
• Medical, dental, vision, EAP, life insurance, and disability benefits (US)
• Virtual mental health and neurodiversity support programs
• Global Fitness reimbursement program
• Global Wellbeing Program
• Financial wellness program with unlimited access to certified financial planners
• Discretionary Time Off policy for many employees
• Family planning support program
• Generous paid parental, pregnancy-related disability, caregiver, and compassionate leaves
• Subsidized Back-up child care (US)
• Zynga happy hours and frequent employee events
• Flexible working hours on many teams
• Culture of diversity and inclusion including employee resource groups
• Work with cool people and impact millions of daily players

We are an equal opportunity employer and we are committed to building a diverse and talented workforce. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, disability, or any other class or characteristic protected by applicable law. We welcome job-seekers, players, employees, and partners from all backgrounds to join us!

We will consider all qualified job-seekers with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable law.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with physical or mental disabilities in order to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us at  to request an accommodation associated with your application for an open position.

The pay range for this position in California at the start of employment is expected to be between $80,100 and $118,560 per year. 

However, base pay offered is based on market location, and may vary further depending on individualized factors for job candidates, such as job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and other objective business considerations.   Subject to those same considerations, the total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including a bonus and/or equity awards, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits.  Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired, employee will be in an “at-will position” and the Company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation or benefit program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.