Development Director - EA Sports FC

Global Sports Jobs Limited; Vancouver; Hybrid; CAD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation 3 weeks

Sick time 10 days

Top-up EI/QPIP for new child

Extended health/dental/vision

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Retirement plan

Bonus eligibility

Job summary

Global Sports Jobs Limited in Vancouver is seeking an Area Development Director to lead the FC Core Operations team, guiding live service health, performance monitoring, release management, and major milestones such as new title launches.

You will partner with leadership, define priorities, and drive cross-functional programs while mentoring Development Directors and Producers in a hybrid in-office setting.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience leading complex programs, operations, or projects, including 6+ years in an operational leadership role.
• Proven ability to build and improve operational processes, team effectiveness, and delivery outcomes.
• Experience driving outcomes in matrixed organisations through influence, collaboration, and stakeholder alignment.
• Experience managing, coaching, and developing team members.
• Strong execution, problem-solving, risk management, and prioritisation skills.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders and communicate effectively with senior leadership.
• Working knowledge of Agile, Lean, or continuous improvement practices.

Responsibilities

• Own operational outcomes for the FC Live Platform Operations area, ensuring priorities, processes, and execution align with product and business objectives.
• Partner with the Area Producer to define priorities, workforce plans, and operational initiatives, driving execution against area goals.
• Serve as the primary operational point of contact for leadership, providing visibility into progress, risks, dependencies, and key decisions.
• Lead cross-functional programs and initiatives, aligning teams and stakeholders to deliver results through collaboration and influence.
• Establish and continuously improve the operating model, team capabilities, and ways of working that enable efficient, predictable, and high-quality delivery.
• Support and develop Development Directors and Producers by providing guidance, removing obstacles, and fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• Balance strategic planning with hands-on execution, personally leading key initiatives, operational improvements, and special projects as needed.

Skills

Leadership

Process improvement

Stakeholder management

Coaching

Communication

Agile/Lean knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Job description

About the Role

The Area Development Director reports to the Lead Development Director and leads the FC Core Operations team, a group responsible for the overall health, effectiveness, and operational readiness of the FC live service. The team owns critical operational capabilities including service performance monitoring, release management, player insights gathering, player-facing communications, and coordination of major milestones such as the launch of new FC titles. The role is accountable for the successful execution and continuous improvement of a broad operational area, directly managing some team members while delivering many outcomes through cross-functional partnerships. The Area DD serves as the primary point of contact between the operations area and leadership, working closely with the Area Producer and supporting Development Directors and Producers.

Key Responsibilities

• Own operational outcomes for the FC Live Platform Operations area, ensuring priorities, processes, and execution align with product and business objectives.
• Partner with the Area Producer to define priorities, workforce plans, and operational initiatives, driving execution against area goals.
• Serve as the primary operational point of contact for leadership, providing visibility into progress, risks, dependencies, and key decisions.
• Lead cross-functional programs and initiatives, aligning teams and stakeholders to deliver results through collaboration and influence.
• Establish and continuously improve the operating model, team capabilities, and ways of working that enable efficient, predictable, and high-quality delivery.
• Support and develop Development Directors and Producers by providing guidance, removing obstacles, and fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• Balance strategic planning with hands-on execution, personally leading key initiatives, operational improvements, and special projects as needed.

Required Experience & Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience leading complex programs, operations, or projects, including 6+ years in an operational leadership role.
• Proven ability to build and improve operational processes, team effectiveness, and delivery outcomes.
• Experience driving outcomes in matrixed organisations through influence, collaboration, and stakeholder alignment.
• Experience managing, coaching, and developing team members.
• Strong execution, problem‑solving, risk management, and prioritisation skills.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders and communicate effectively with senior leadership.
• Working knowledge of Agile, Lean, or continuous improvement practices.

Preferred Skills

• Experience supporting live service operations and large-scale cross‑functional programs.
• Experience working with globally distributed teams and stakeholders.
• Agile, Scrum, Lean, or continuous improvement certification and/or practical experience.
• Experience in game development or live service environments.
• Knowledge of EA SPORTS FC and the football gaming landscape.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.

Workplace

• Hybrid (in office 3x per week) role located in Vancouver, B.C. only.
• Team operates onsite in Vancouver three days per week (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday).

Benefits & Perks

• Vacation: 3 weeks per year to start.
• 10 days per year of sick time.
• Paid top-up to EI/QPIP benefits up to 100% of base salary when welcoming a new child (12 weeks for maternity, and 4 weeks for parental/adoption leave).
• Extended health/dental/vision coverage.
• Life insurance.
• Disability insurance.
• Retirement plan to regular full-time employees.
• Certain roles may also be eligible for bonus and other incentive programs.