Art Outsource Manager
Secret Mode is looking for an Art Outsource Manager to join the team and help us in crafting the high calibre games our fans have come to expect.
The Art Outsource Manager is responsible for scaling our studio’s creative output by building and managing a global network of high-talent external partnerships. Acting as the bridge between our internal Technical Designers and external studios in lower-cost regions, you will ensure that high-volume content production, ranging from 2D and 3D assets to complex animation and VFX, is predictable, cost-effective, and technically seamless.
In this role, you will maximise our art budgets across the entire portfolio, ensuring that every asset delivered not only meets our high artistic standards but also fits the strict performance and memory constraints of our target platforms. You are part project manager, part quality controller, and part negotiator, ensuring that our teams always have the assets they need to keep our players engaged.
Role Overview – key responsibilities
- Oversee and manage all aspects of art outsourcing. This includes identifying high-talent studios, handling vendor selection, contract negotiation, and managing ongoing relationships across 2D, 3D, animation, and VFX.
- Oversee the creation of Benchmark Assets. You will ensure that every outsource partner has a high-quality reference point that defines the expected bar for geometry, texture density, and animation fluidity before full-scale production begin.
- Collaborate with project Leads to create and maintain comprehensive Art Bibles for every title. You will ensure these documents clearly define the visual language, style guides, technical constraints, and dos and don’ts for external partners, reducing the need for exhaustive revision cycles
- Review and quality-check all outsourced assets against the Art Bible. You are responsible for ensuring every delivery meets our artistic look and feel while integrating seamlessly with in-house content and technical standards.
- Act as the primary point of contact for outsourced studios, facilitating clear and effective communication between them and the in-house team.
- Act as the primary point of contact for external studios. You will facilitate clear, effective communication, providing feedback rooted in the Art Benchmarks to ensure outsourced work aligns perfectly with project goals
- Balance artistic quality with budgetary and timeline constraints, ensuring efficient and cost-effective outsourcing partnerships.
- Manage and resolve any issues or challenges that arise in the outsourcing process, ensuring smooth collaboration and project continuity.
- Be accountable for quality control, and overall project coordination related to outsourced art assets, while effectively managing tasks and deadlines.
Skills and experience you need
- Minimum of 5 years experience in Art Outsourcing, with a strong preference for experience in managing outsourced art projects
- Proven track record of successfully managing outsourced teams and delivering high-quality game art content
- Deep understanding of art principles pipelines and familiarity with art software such as Maya, Blender, ZBrush, Substance and Photoshop.
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple outsourcing partnerships effectively
- Creative and open-minded approach, with a keen eye for detail and a commitment to maintaining high game art standards.
- Prior experience in the Gaming Industry.
- Experience with Unreal Engine is highly beneficial.
- Proficient in using tools like Jira, Ftrack and Shotgrid for art tasking, task tracking, managing deadlines, briefing, and documenting.
Travel Requirements
This role requires you to be in our Leamington Spa studio for two days a week and may involve travel to events and vendor studios.
Please note that this role is only open to applicants who have the right to work in the UK. We are currently unable to offer sponsorship or consider applications from outside the UK.
Benefits
• Pension Scheme
• Benefits platform with company funded allowance which includes : –
– Income Protection and Life cover
– Private Healthcare coverage
– Critical Illness
– Online GP
About the company
Welcome to Secret Mode! We publish video games. We believe that games are for everyone, and that creativity has no limits. We believe quality and fun are everything. Our goal is to delight and inspire you, and that’s why we are Secret Mode.