Position Overview

Zynga is seeking an experienced Principal External Development Manager to join a dynamic, growing team. The P. Exdev Manager will work with our Art Lead to select and manage external art vendors, review and provide feedback on art for consistency and quality, and will develop long-term outsourcing procedures and pipelines. 3D art background is required.

Join the Z-revolution, apply now!

Main Responsibilities 

• Establish, maintain and manage relationships with external vendors.
• Establish testing procedures, quality and business metrics for vetting new outsource contracts.
• Work closely with our Art Lead, Art Producer, Game Art Directors, and Concept Artists to deliver high quality assets from outsource providers that follow documented style guidelines.
• Provide necessary reference material, style guides, and define technical specifications to successfully commission outsourced art.
• Track and review incoming 2D and 3D assets for quality, to ensure it meets all visual and technical requirements.
• Organize internal feedback and sign-off procedures and act as the primary point of contact for communication with Outsource Vendors.
• Develop, maintain, document and continually improve outsourcing procedures and pipelines.
• Coordinate internally on legal / contractual issues.
• Meet and exceed all internal project deadlines, budgets and milestones.

Desired Skills and Experience 

• Excellent written and visual communication skills – The ExDev manager is in charge of giving feedback notes from the Art Director and other key stakeholders to the External Studio. Feedback is generally given visually with written support.
• Basic understanding of 3D character pipeline:
• High-poly modeling in zbrush
• Low-poly modeling in Maya (mobile ready)
• UV unwrapping
• Texture baking in Substance Painter or Marmoset
• Substance Painter for texture creation
• Modeling for proper deformations and, optimizing for mobile
• Strong Art Fundamentals and an excellent eye for – Character design, color theory, lighting, shape, and form.
• Strong understanding of Photoshop, Zbrush, Maya, and Substance Painter.
• Writing RFPs for vendors, which consists of not only specs, but extensive references, drawings, mockups, and other resources.
• Team-player – RFPs may contain animatics, storyboards, and technical information from other disciplines. Collaborates closely with internal team members to establish the most effective way to utilize external partners.
• A mastery in one or more project management software suits like Basecamp, Shotgrid, or Notion.
• 5+ years experience in games, Management experience 2-3+ years in a Lead or ExDev Manager position.
• Battle Royale, Moba, or Shooter experience is a plus.
• Experience with 3D character skins pipeline is a plus

What we offer you:

• Competitive salary, bonus plan and ESPP (Employee Stock Purchase Plan)
• 401K Company Match Contribution (US)
• RRSP/DPSP company match contribution (Canada)
• Health coverage, dental, disability, critical illness, EAP, and life insurance (Canada)
• Medical, dental, vision, EAP, life insurance, and disability benefits (US)
• Virtual mental health and neurodiversity support programs
• Global Fitness reimbursement program
• Global Wellbeing Program
• Financial wellness program with unlimited access to certified financial planners
• Discretionary Time Off policy for many employees
• Family planning support program
• Generous paid parental, pregnancy-related disability, caregiver, and compassionate leaves
• Subsidized Back-up child care
• Zynga happy hours and frequent employee events
• Flexible working hours on many teams
• Culture of diversity and inclusion including employee resource groups
• Work with cool people and impact millions of daily players

We are an equal opportunity employer and we are committed to building a diverse and talented workforce. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, disability, or any other class or characteristic protected by applicable law. We welcome job-seekers, players, employees, and partners from all backgrounds to join us!

We will consider all qualified job-seekers with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable law.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with physical or mental disabilities in order to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us at [email protected] to request an accommodation associated with your application for an open position.

The pay range for this position in  California at the start of employment is expected to be between $60,000 and $100,000 per year. 

However, 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.

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