Outsource Supervisor, Concept - Overwatch 2

Soldiers, scientists, adventurers, oddities…artists? We are the Overwatch team, passionate gamers at heart, and we’re looking for a new hero to help us make Overwatch 2 - the globe-spanning sequel to Blizzard Entertainment’s acclaimed team-based game. 

As a Outsource Supervisor you will help shape the expanding Overwatch universe by working closely with our concept, character modeling, and game design teams to help create and direct art that is both beautiful and consistent with the handcrafted art styles that Blizzard’s games are known for. 

This is a full-time position that combines hands-on art direction and some content creation. We are searching for the type of artist who can give precise and constructive visual input, as well as implement feedback to direct external artists and guide them to successful results. In short, you’ll be part of a close-knit, collaborative group of artists, engineers, and designers whose sole goal is to make a truly epic and immersive game experience. 

This role is anticipated to be a hybrid work position, with some work on-site and some work-from-home. The potential home studio for this role is Albany, NY or Irvine, CA. However, we understand each person’s circumstances may be unique and will work with you to explore other possible options, including remote work arrangements. 

Responsibilities: 

• Manage communications while providing feedback to artists and helping to maintain a strong creative relationship between external and internal art teams. 

• Depending on your skills and experience, your primary responsibilities could be a combination or specialization in any of the following: skin concepts, sprays, or in-game player avatar art creation. 

• Support external vendors by generating detailed documentation, visual reference, and examples of art asset production, procedures, and engine requirements. 

• Oversee the quality control of all incoming art assets by providing detailed feedback and approvals to the vendor, ensuring the delivery of high-quality assets to the development team. 

• Work closely with the lead concept artist, production team, and outsource manager to determine outsourcing needs, pipelines, and maintain deliverable schedules. 

• Create concept art as needed or desired for the game. 

Minimum Requirements  

Experience 

• A minimum of 2 years’ experience or equivalent in game development specializing in stylized character concept art. 

• Experience as a lead concept artist or equivalent. 

Knowledge & Skills 

• An exceptional understanding of form, shape, structure, and silhouette. 

• Superior eye for light, shade, color, and detail in creating art. 

• Self-motivation, good communication skills, and a great team-player attitude. 

• Ability to work collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary art team to help bring characters to life within the vision of the game. 

• Ability to effectively collaborate with game designers and programmers. 

• Understanding of the visual style of Blizzard games and a passion to push it to the next level. 

Pluses 

• Clear and concise communications, leadership, and people skills. 

• Have shipped AAA PC or console titles. 

Submission / Portfolio requirements 

• Cover Letter & Resume are required. 

• Portfolio demonstrating relevant artistic skills required. Only online artwork submissions will be accepted (e.g. website, blog or online album). 

• Must be willing to complete an art test if requested to do so. 

Your Platform 

Best known for iconic video game universes including Warcraft®, Overwatch®, Diablo®, and StarCraft®, Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. (www.blizzard.com), a division of Activision Blizzard, which was acquired by Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), is a premier developer and publisher of entertainment experiences. Blizzard Entertainment has created some of the industry’s most critically acclaimed and genre-defining games over the last 30 years, with a track record that includes multiple Game of the Year awards. Blizzard Entertainment engages tens of millions of players around the world with titles available on PC via Battle.net®, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android. 

Our World 

Activision Blizzard, Inc., is one of the world's largest and most successful interactive entertainment companies and is at the intersection of media, technology and entertainment. We are home to some of the most beloved entertainment franchises including Call of Duty®, World of Warcraft®, Overwatch®, Diablo®, Candy Crush™ and Bubble Witch™. Our combined entertainment network delights hundreds of millions of monthly active users in 196 countries, making us the largest gaming network on the planet! 

Our ability to build immersive and innovative worlds is only enhanced by diverse teams working in an inclusive environment.  We aspire to have a culture where everyone can thrive in order to connect and engage the world through epic entertainment. We provide a suite of benefits that promote physical, emotional and financial well-being for ‘Every World’ - we’ve got our employees covered! 

The videogame industry and therefore our business is fast-paced and will continue to evolve. As such, the duties and responsibilities of this role may be changed as directed by the Company at any time to promote and support our business and relationships with industry partners. 

We love hearing from anyone who is enthusiastic about changing the games industry. Not sure you meet all qualifications? Let us decide! Research shows that women and members of other under-represented groups tend to not apply to jobs when they think they may not meet every qualification, when, in fact, they often do! We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and strongly encourage you to apply. 

We are committed to working with and providing reasonable assistance to individuals with physical and mental disabilities. If you are a disabled individual requiring an accommodation to apply for an open position, please email your request to accommodationrequests@activisionblizzard.com. General employment questions cannot be accepted or processed here. Thank you for your interest.  

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status, among other characteristics.