Development Director - The Sims

Welcome to Maxis, home to tinkerers, craftspeople, & storytellers. Our drive is to inspire everyone to make a better world through creative play. As the developer of The Sims , we create games and experiences for millions of people around the world and are always looking for new ways to inspire our players. Maxis is a place where you can do what you love and help others grow while doing it; a place where your unique voice can be heard and seen. We put creativity and inclusivity at the core of our work and don't settle for seeing the world only as it is, but strive to build a world as it could be.

In this role you will be part of the reimagining of The Sims that players know and love. The Sims is one of the top selling PC game franchise of all time and The Sims 4 is by far our most successful Sims game. We have 65 million registered players of the base game. To date, The Sims 4 has shipped over 50 content packs and countless base game feature and quality of life updates. The Sims 4 continues to transcend being “just a game” and continues to be a positive force in people’s lives while occupying a unique creative space in the game industry.

Visit us at: https://www.ea.com/ea-studios/maxis

As a Development Director with Maxis, you will partner with producers, craft directors and peers to ensure the project is delivered to spec, on time, to quality, and within budget. DDs will also manage members of the development team, helping them grow their careers and skills within the studio.

You will be reporting to the group's Lead Development Director.

Location (hybrid): Vancouver, Toronto

Responsibilities:

• You lead by embodying the values of the studio to influence how we create, develop, and work as a team.
• You guide the delivery of content and features across your team:
  • Balance scope and capacity in collaboration with the team
  • Work with product leaders to uphold product goals and manage quality
  • Conduct milestone planning, track team progress, and provide regular status reports
  • Facilitate risk assessments and mitigation strategies

• You manage the hiring for your team; work with craft directors, subject-matter experts, and the recruiting team to define roles and responsibilities, interview candidates, and deliver equitable offers.
• You lead your team to seek constant improvements in processes and best practices, working with craft leadership and DD partners.
• You manage the performance and career development of direct reports, guide individual development plans, conduct regular one-on-ones and performance reviews.
• You foster a team culture and environment that is diverse and inclusive.

Qualifications:

• 7+ years of project management and team leadership experience in game development.
• 3+ years of applied experience managing direct reports, driving personal career development and work performance.
• Experience managing art and cross discipline teams through all phases of development.
• Experience working with third-party vendors to deliver assets.
• Applied experience in multiple project management methodologies such as Waterfall and Agile.
• Proficiency with JIRA, Google Workspace, Microsoft Excel (can perform complex functions), PowerPoint or equivalent software.
• Bachelor's degree in relevant fields or equivalent professional experience.

*This is not a remote role

BC COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The base salary ranges listed below are for the defined geographic market pay zones in these locations. If you reside outside of these locations, a recruiter will advise on the base salary range and benefits for your specific location.

EA has listed the base salary ranges it in good faith expects to pay applicants for this role in the locations listed, as of the time of this posting. Salary offered will be determined based on numerous relevant business and candidate factors including, for example, education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, and business or organizational needs.

BASE SALARY RANGES

• British Columbia (depending on location e.g. Vancouver vs. Victoria):

º $115,100 - $161,200 CAN Annually

Base salary is just one part of the overall compensation at EA. We also offer a package of benefits including vacation (3 weeks per year to start), 10 days per year of sick time, paid top-up to EI/QPIP benefits up to 100% of base salary when you welcome a new child (12 weeks for maternity, and 4 weeks for parental/adoption leave), extended health/dental/vision coverage, life insurance, disability insurance, retirement plan to regular full-time employees. Certain roles may also be eligible for bonus and equity.