Live Ops Director - Multi-Platform Video Game

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ABOUT GUNZILLA GAMES

Founded in 2020, Gunzilla Games is the independent AAA video game developer and publisher behind the free-to-play mobile game TECHNOCORE, the gamer-first blockchain GUNZ, and the upcoming next-gen battle royale Off The Grid, in three metropolitan locations: Frankfurt, Germany (HQ); Kyiv, Ukraine; and London, UK. The company is helmed by CEO Vlad Korolov and CSO Alexander Zoll. Gunzilla is built on the desire to innovate and push the limits of the games industry.

Gunzilla's formidable team of talent comes from a variety of industry-leading studios and publishers (Ubisoft, Electronic Arts (EA), THQ, etc.) as well as Oscar-nominated screenwriter, director, and producer Neill Blomkamp, Chief Visionary Officer, and the author of the Altered Carbon series, which has been adapted into a popular Netflix show, Richard K. Morgan, Script Writer.

The Gunzilla Leadership team includes well-known industry professionals like Timur Davidenko, Chief Technology Officer (Far Cry, Warface, and Crysis) , Scott Probin, Studio Director (EA Sports' NHL series , the Need for Speed franchise , Populous 2, Powermonger, Space Hulk), Dmitriy Markov, Technical Director (Metro Exodus, ARKTIKA.1) , Volodymyr Savin, Audio Director (Cut the Rope, Metro Exodus, HBO's Chernobyl series ) , Petr Cherkes, Design Director ( The Last of Us, Uncharted 3, Star Wars: The Old Republic ), Krasimir Nechevski, Animation Director ( Adam, Book of the Dead ), Nikolas Gekko, Lead Art Director, ( Call of Duty: WWII, Halo Infinite, Destiny ) and Kiran Pulicheri, Technical Art Director ( Control, Far Cry 6).

OUR VALUES

• Players First & Foremost. We aim to create titles that players love and get lost in, so our games are developed with them in mind from the start.
• We Believe in Our People. We believe in building strong teams of self-motivated individuals empowered to work at their best in a supportive environment; when we're strong together, we thrive together.
• Commitment to Engagement & Quality. We are deeply passionate about what we do, ensuring we produce next-generation experiences of the highest calibre.
• Make Bold Moves & Innovate. We strive to make bold moves and push technology to its limits; there are no wrong steps if the outcome redefines the boundaries.
• Open & Honest. We believe in building trust through transparency and honest communication. We're proud of who we are, what we stand for, and what we're building.

ABOUT THE JOB

Gunzilla Games is a leading game development studio dedicated to creating immersive and engaging experiences across multiple platforms. With a focus on innovation, creativity, and technical excellence, we strive to deliver high-quality games that captivate players around the world. We are currently seeking a talented and experienced Live Operations Director to lead the establishment of Live Operations for our upcoming all-new AAA Battle Royale 2.0 third person shooter, due for release on PlayStation®5, Xbox® Series X|S and PC.

As the Live Operations Director, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the sustainability and development strategy & capability for our multi-platform Battle Royale. You will be responsible for setting up the Live Operations team, structure, and capability from scratch, ensuring that all departments are aligned and prepared to support the game's ongoing service and maintenance needs. Your expertise will be instrumental in defining the way the game is serviced post-launch, optimizing player engagement, and driving long-term success.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Establish Live Operations Concept:

• Define the concept of Live Operations within the organization, outlining its role, objectives, and the key responsibilities & relationships in supporting and maintaining the game post-launch.
• Develop a comprehensive Live Operations strategy, by working closely with the EP and the Live Product Director, that facilitates the smooth & efficient release of ongoing content updates, feature enhancements, community engagement initiatives, and monetization opportunities that will drive player retention and revenue growth. (The Product Roadmap)

Pre-Launch Planning and Preparation:

• Collaborate with development, production, QA, marketing, and other relevant departments to ensure that post-launch sustainability and development considerations are integrated into the game's development process well ahead of launch.
• Assist the team in organizing and operating pre-release playtests with various cohorts of players wo gain a deeper understanding of how players receive, engage and enjoy the game. Ensure that each release is planned and delivered effectively.
• Identify and prioritize key Live Operations requirements, such as backend infrastructure, analytics systems, content pipeline workflows, live data changes and player support tools, to support the game's ongoing service needs.

Build and Lead Live Operations Team:

• Recruit, hire, and onboard a team of Live Operations professionals, including Live Operations Managers, Release Managers, Data Analysts, and Customer Support Specialists, to support the game's post-launch operations.
• Define roles, responsibilities, and reporting structures within the Live Operations team, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Define Processes and Workflows:

• Establish standardized processes, workflows, and procedures for managing Live Operations activities, including content deployment, event scheduling, player feedback collection, and issue resolution.
• Implement effective tools and systems for tracking and analysing player behaviour, server utilisation, matchmaking performance, maintenance downtime and service usage data to inform Live Operations decision-making and optimization efforts.

Platform holder relationships:

• Serve as the primary point of contact and relationship manager for first-party platform holders, including Sony PlayStation, Microsoft Xbox, Steam, and Epic Games Store, fostering positive and collaborative partnerships to support the game's release and ongoing service.
• Initiate and maintain regular communication channels with platform holders to ensure alignment on submission processes, technical requirements, certification criteria, and platform-specific guidelines for launching and servicing games on PC and console platforms.
• Manage the submission process for game releases and updates, including preparation of submission packages, coordination of submission timelines, and resolution of any issues or feedback raised by platform holders during the certification process.
• Stay informed of platform holder policies, updates, and industry trends, proactively advocating for the game's interests and maximizing opportunities for promotion, visibility, and feature placement on digital storefronts.
• Collaborate with internal teams, including development, legal, and marketing, to ensure that all platform compliance requirements, licensing agreements, and contractual obligations are met, maintaining a high standard of professionalism and integrity in all interactions with platform partners.

Post-Launch Servicing and Optimization:

• Oversee the ongoing servicing and optimization of the game post-launch, including the deployment of regular content updates, balancing adjustments, bug fixes, and feature enhancements to meet player expectations and maintain a competitive edge.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and player feedback to identify trends, opportunities, and areas for improvement, driving continuous iteration and innovation in Live Operations initiatives.

REQUIREMENTS

• 4+ years proven experience in Live Operations, game operations, or service management roles within the video game industry, with a track record of success in launching and servicing multiplayer, free-to-play games on PC and console platforms.
• Experience and understanding of 1st Party release requirements, including PlayStation, Xbox, Steam and Epic stores.
• Exceptional problem-solving abilities and adaptability in a fast-paced environment
• Strong leadership and team-building skills, with the ability to recruit, motivate, and develop high-performing teams in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.
• Deep understanding of Live Operations best practices, methodologies, and tools, including content management systems, player engagement strategies, monetization models, and player support processes.
• Excellent analytical and strategic planning abilities, with the capacity to synthesize complex data, identify actionable insights, and drive data-informed decision-making to optimize player experiences and business outcomes.
• Exceptional communication, collaboration, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to effectively engage and align cross-functional teams and senior leadership around Live Operations objectives and priorities.

GUNZILLA OFFERS*

• Unlimited Paid Vacation
• Paid Sick Leave
• Flexible Working
• Work from Home
• Health Insurance
• Bonuses
• English / German Courses
• Public Transportation
• Relocation & Accommodation Support
• Office Perks & Gym Membership

*Some benefits may vary depending on Location & position

COME AS YOU ARE

Videogames are for everyone, so everyone should have the opportunity to create them. We're looking for a huge variety of unique life experiences to help shape the worlds we're developing, so promise your application will be given the same consideration as everyone else's, regardless of your background.

THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Here's what you can expect when applying at Gunzilla.

• Click on "Apply Here" on the page of the role and send us your CV via email.
• If selected to move to the next stage, you'll be contacted by a member of our recruitment team.
• Some roles require a competency test, which the recruitment team will support you on.
• Zoom interviews will be conducted by your hiring manager, or you'll be invited to meet us at our recruiting studio.
• Following your interview, we'll contact you either way.
• If the interview went well but we feel you aren't suited to the specific role, we'll retain your details (with your permission) for future consideration.