Studio Art Director - Next games

Theartgorgeous; Helsinki; On-site; EUR 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A dynamic game development studio in Helsinki is seeking an experienced Art Director to shape the visual direction of their games. You will lead a passionate team of artists, oversee project quality, and influence creative output within a collaborative environment. Candidates should possess extensive experience in the games industry and a strong portfolio across various styles. This opportunity offers room for innovation and the chance to be part of a dedicated team committed to excellence.

Qualifications

• Experience with both 2D and 3D art pipelines.
• Familiarity with technical art and optimization for multiple platforms.
• Previous experience shipping at least one AAA or commercially successful game.
• Previous experience successfully leading, mentoring and managing a team of artists.

Responsibilities

• Define and drive the overall visual style and artistic vision for all games.
• Lead, inspire, and mentor a multidisciplinary art team.
• Collaborate closely with fellow discipline directors.
• Create and review concept art and storyboards.

Skills

Proven experience as an Art Director or Lead Artist in the games industry

Strong portfolio demonstrating a range of styles and high-quality game art

Expert proficiency with industry-standard art tools (Photoshop, Maya, Blender, Unity, Unreal Engine)

Excellent leadership and communication skills in English

Deep understanding of game development pipelines and processes

Genuine passion for games

Job description

Netflix is one of the world’s leading entertainment services, with over 300 million paid memberships in over 190 countries enjoying TV series, films and games across a wide variety of genres and languages.

Next Games, founded in 2013 and based in Helsinki, Finland, crafts cutting-edge, approachable games for a global audience inspired by popular Netflix shows and movies and our own fresh ideas.

The Role

As an Art Director, you will play a pivotal role in our studio, driving the quality and execution of art across all our games – whether by taking direct ownership or by empowering and guiding our talented lead artists.

This is an exceptional opportunity to join a vibrant and innovative studio, where you can truly make your mark – overseeing a passionate team of artists, shaping the visual direction of our games, and elevating the quality of our creative output.

Essential Functions/Responsibilities:

• Define and drive the overall visual style and artistic vision for all of our games, both directly and through your lead artists
• Lead, inspire, and mentor a multidisciplinary art team including 3D/2D artists, technical artists, UI artists, and animators
• Collaborate closely with fellow discipline directors to foster strong cross-functional teamwork and alignment across all projects
• Contribute to new game initiatives by creating and reviewing concept art, storyboards, and providing clear visual communication
• Oversee ongoing projects, offering constructive feedback and guidance to the art team throughout the production cycle to ensure quality standards are met
• Manage art production schedules and resources, ensuring deadlines and project goals are consistently achieved
• Stay current with industry trends, tools, and technologies to keep our visuals innovative and cutting-edge

Skills and Abilities

• Proven experience as an Art Director or Lead Artist in the games industry
• Strong portfolio demonstrating a range of styles and high-quality game art
• Expert proficiency with industry-standard art tools (e.g., Photoshop, Maya, Blender, Unity, Unreal Engine, etc.)
• Excellent leadership and communication skills in English
• Deep understanding of game development pipelines and processes
• Genuine passion for games, especially those that emphasize collaboration and shared experiences

Education and Experience

• Experience with both 2D and 3D art pipelines
• Familiarity with technical art and optimization for multiple platforms
• Previous experience shipping at least one AAA or commercially successful game
• Previous experience successfully leading, mentoring and managing a team of artists, preferably in a multi-project environment
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team environment

We aim high here at Next Games and will ask you to do the same. In exchange, you’ll be part of a team that is great to work with, who is dedicated and passionate about what we do.

Our guiding light in growing our team is that we don’t look for a culture fit — we look for what each person brings to our collective skillset, culture, and values to enrich them.

We are an equal-opportunity employer and celebrate diversity, recognizing that diversity builds stronger teams. We approach diversity and inclusion seriously and thoughtfully. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, ancestry, national origin, caste, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, age, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic makeup, marital status, or military service.

If you want an accommodation/adjustment for a disability or any other reason during the hiring process, please send a request to your recruiting partner.