Manager, Storyboard Department; SFD​/Cinematics

Team Name:
Creative Development

Job Title:

Manager, Storyboard Department (SFD / Cinematics)

Requisition : R028200

Job Description:

Blizzard Entertainment’s Cinematics team is looking for an experienced Storyboards Department Manager to assist in creating engaging and compelling content across all our franchises. As a talented visual/narrative artist themselves, this person will lead a team of storyboard artists who support in-game and pre-render cinematic content. As a craft expert and mentor, they will successfully manage multiple projects while also balancing creative quality, budget, schedule, and business priorities.

This role is a hybrid work position, with some work on-site and some work-from-home. The home studio for this role is Irvine, CA.

Priorities can often change in a fast-paced environment like ours, so this role includes, but is not limited to, the following responsibilities:

• Manage all artistic and technical aspects of a storyboard department that works in a very fluid and fast-paced production environment
• Oversee the direction, mentoring, and growth of the storyboard artists through constructive feedback as well as by setting short-term and long-term planning around career growth
• Partner with cinematic directors and stakeholders to help clarify notes and ensure their creative vision is carried out effectively throughout the animatic process
• Cast artists to projects based on skillset and level up artists as needed to work successfully across all IP’s
• Handle day-to-day operational and administrative support, such as absence management, contract extensions, learning and development initiatives, and annual performance reviews
• Hire and onboard new artists based on studio needs; proactively tracking resource planning, reviewing portfolios, and partnering with recruiting
• Effectively collaborate and work through challenges with other department leaders in a respectful and professional manner
• Provide effective communication and transparency with other pipeline departments (i.e., writing, editorial and previz) to mitigate production delays
• Partner with the Tech team to ensure that artists have all the required software/hardware needs as well as research new tools that may increase efficiency
• Plan activities to promote team engagement and bonding

• Experience 8+ years of experience managing a creative team of artists
• Experience in TV or feature animation; film and gaming a plus
• Professional examples of work that exhibit a strong visual storytelling sensibility

• Possess expert skills in cinematic storytelling, with a strong understanding of composition, camera, cinematography, staging, lenses, pacing, and continuity
• A deep understanding of the pre-production and story development process, with the ability to accurately gauge the time needed for sequences and to translate feedback into actionable milestones for the artist
• Strong, communicative draftsmanship
• Proven ability to deal with a wide range of personnel issues: recruitment, career development, salary administration, and conflict resolution
• Highly organized with exceptional project management skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a very dynamic environment
• A degree in Film, Animation, or Fine Arts
• Advanced knowledge of hardware and software including Flix, Cintiq, Toon Boom Storyboard Pro, and Photoshop - Blender 3D a plus
• Extra Points Knowledge of Blizzard Entertainment IPs and games
• Experience working with franchise-driven or brand-based entertainment properties

Best known for iconic video game universes including Warcraft®, Overwatch®, Diablo®, and Star Craft®, Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. (), a division of Activision Blizzard, which was acquired by Microsoft…