Character Art Director - NBA 2K

At Visual Concepts, we believe great games are made by diverse and empowered teams with a shared passion for play. As one of the world’s top game development studios, we have shipped over 100 multi-sku titles to critical acclaim and commercial success. Our teams are independent and entrepreneurial. Our studios in Novato, Irvine, Budapest, Shanghai, Austin, Boise, Seoul, and Parksville, Canada are committed to artistry and technical innovation, offering top candidates the opportunity to learn and grow with some of the smartest and most creative minds in the industry.

What We Need:

Our Novato studio is looking for a Character Art Director to contribute to the next iteration of the legendary NBA 2K franchise! In this role, you will report to the Senior Art Director for guidance and support, while being responsible for the character team and character pipeline.

What You Will Do:

• Drive the visual direction and quality bar for all character assets, partnering with Art Leads and Directors to define the game’s visual identity, style guides, and documentation

• Maintain high visual quality, accuracy, brand consistency and technical standards by reviewing and providing constructive feedback on assets

• Collaborate with other Directors to establish best practices, and streamline cross-functional workflows

• Champion innovation by evaluating and integrating emerging tools, techniques, and pipelines through proactive R&D initiatives

• Represent the Character Art team in technology and pipeline discussions, advocating for tools and processes that enhance creativity and efficiency

• Lead and mentor the character art team through thoughtful feedback and reviews

• Partner closely with Producers to track progress, assess priorities, and adapt plans as needed to meet production milestones

Who Will Be A Great Fit:

• 7+ years of proven experience in Character Art for video games, including 2+ years in a leadership role guiding teams and defining visual direction

• A portfolio that demonstrates excellence in character design and the ability to establish and maintain a cohesive visual style, supported by strong proficiency in Maya, ZBrush, Substance, and Photoshop

• Strong cross-disciplinary communication skills, with experience collaborating closely with Design, Animation, Tech Art, Rigging, Engineering, and Production teams

• Strong technical skills with deep understanding in real-time character pipelines, including skin, eye, and fabric

• Experienced in mentoring artists, leading critiques, and partnering with production to track progress and adapt to shifting priorities, with fluency in task and asset management tools such as Shotgun/ShotGrid/Flow, or similar platforms

• Ability to create high-quality work in a fast-paced environment and able to incorporate feedback from multiple collaborators across multiple teams

• Love for video games and basketball - it helps!

Nice To Have:

• Experience providing feedback on hair and cloth dynamics

• Familiarity with Python or MEL scripting to enhance tools and workflows

This is a fully remote role that may be based anywhere in the United States. Below are the expected salary and wage ranges for applicants based in locations where the pay transparency law is in effect: California: $176,000 - $220,000 per year. New York State (inclusive of New York City): $153,000 - 185,000 per year. Washington: $176,000 - $220,000 per year. New Jersey: $153,000 - $185,000 per year. British Columbia: $150,000 - $210,000 (CAD) per year. 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.

To learn more about Visual Concepts and our studio locations, check out our website at www.vcentertainment.com