Lead Art Director/ Directeur(-Trice) Artistique Principal(E) - Volta

Keywords Studios; Quebec; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid vacations: 3 floating weeks and 1 week during holidays

8 statutory holidays

Full insurance coverage

5 paid sick days

Social club

Employer’s RRSP contribution after one year

Job summary

Keywords Studios is seeking a Lead Art Director to join VOLTA, a premier creative studio in Quebec. You will define a vision and align teams to deliver consistently high-quality art for AAA titles. A minimum of 10 years of industry experience, proficiency with 3D software, and advanced English skills are essential.

This hybrid position offers leadership in high-profile projects and a supportive, collaborative work culture that values quality and creativity. A competitive salary range of $120,000-140,000 CAD is provided along with excellent benefits.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of industry experience as an outsourcer and/or freelancer.
• Proven experience working on AAA projects.
• Strong proficiency with industry-standard tools and workflows.
• Demonstrated ability to understand and execute from briefs.
• Experience collaborating with international clients.
• Strong sense of responsibility and time management.

Responsibilities

• Establish project processes, budgets, and timelines.
• Create briefing documentation and provide feedback.
• Lead team meetings with clients and creative teams.
• Supervise teams of artists, ensuring consistency in style.
• Use advanced techniques to support design process.
• Manage deadlines and ensure successful project delivery.

Skills

Industry experience (10+ years)

Experience on AAA projects

Proficiency with 3D software

Understanding of briefs and art documentation

Collaboration with international clients

Time management skills

English (Advanced)

French (Intermediate)

Job description

Description

VOLTA is a premier creative studio dedicated to creating high‑end 2D and 3D visuals for leading entertainment companies in video games, movies, and toys. Since 2006 our veteran team has delivered hundreds of successful projects for prestigious IPs, from concept art to 3D modeling, ensuring the highest level of quality and creativity. Passion, creativity and a relentless quest for excellence drive everything we do.

We’re looking for a Lead Art Director who can define a vision, align teams around it, and deliver consistently at a high bar across projects, partners, and pipelines. At Volta, part of Keywords Studios, we collaborate with leading game developers to bring high‑quality art to AAA titles. You will play a key role in shaping the visual direction of high‑profile AAA titles and will contribute to a wide range of visual development tasks.

The role

• Work closely with VOLTA Project Managers to establish project processes, budgets, artist assignments and timelines unique to each project.
• Create briefing documentation that covers all aspects of the projects and provide timely feedback to keep the art team aligned with the client's vision.
• Attend and lead team meetings with clients and/or your creative teams regularly to ensure alignment on creative goals.
• Lead and supervise teams of artists and collaborate creatively within project requirements while maintaining consistency across styles and directions.
• Use advanced industry techniques, including 3D software and photo manipulation, to support your team in the design process.
• Manage deadlines responsibly and take ownership of assigned projects, ensuring successful delivery of high‑quality work that meets client expectations and brand standards.
• Other duties as assigned.

What you bring

• 10+ years of industry experience as an outsourcer and/or freelancer (relevant education considered equivalent).
• Proven experience working on AAA projects.
• Strong proficiency with industry‑standard tools and workflows (3D software, photo manipulation, etc.).
• Demonstrated ability to understand and execute from briefs and art documentation.
• Experience collaborating with international clients as a contractor.
• Strong sense of responsibility, ownership, and time management.
• Language skills
  • English: Advanced (required)
  • French: Intermediate (preferred)
  • Additional languages are a plus.
• Bonus
  • Previous experience working with VOLTA clients or projects.
  • Credits with companies such as Bioware, ArenaNet or Capcom.

Salary Range: $120,000-140,000 CAD

Why Volta

• Work on high‑profile AAA projects across a variety of styles and partners
• A collaborative, no‑ego environment focused on quality, clarity, and follow‑through
• The opportunity to shape teams, pipelines, and creative direction in a growing studio
• Backed by Keywords Studios — global scale, with local autonomy
• A supportive culture that values both craft and people

Benefits

• Paid vacations: 3 floating weeks + 1 week during holidays (studio closure)
• 8 statutory holidays
• Full insurance coverage
• 5 paid sick days
• Social club
• Employer’s contribution to RRSP after one year in Canada

This is a hybrid position (from Quebec City), but it is currently open to candidates residing in the following Canadian provinces only: Quebec. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in Canada and reside in the eligible province(s) listed above.

Primary working language: English

Keywords Studios is dedicated to following a well‑established Equal Opportunities Policy. We endeavor to create a workplace that provides for equal opportunities for all employees and potential employees.