Director of Esports & Gaming Development

Placements24; Upington; Hybrid; ZAR 2,000,000 - 3,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work

Stock options

Bonus programs

Health benefits

Professional development budget

Autonomy

Job summary

Placements24 is partnering with a forward-thinking organization to establish a new division focused on esports and competitive gaming. We seek a Director of Esports & Gaming Development to lead this remote-first venture, building teams, producing events, and driving content and community strategy.

The ideal candidate has 7+ years in esports management, a proven track record growing communities, and strong leadership.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in esports or professional gaming with leadership experience.
• Proven track record building and managing teams/leagues/events.
• Deep understanding of esports, game titles, and competitive meta.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive esports strategy.
• Oversee recruitment and development of professional teams and players.
• Plan and run online and offline tournaments and events.
• Drive content production across streaming, video, and social media.
• Grow an engaged esports community around the brand.
• Manage relationships with publishers, sponsors and influencers.
• Develop and manage budgets for esports operations.
• Identify growth opportunities in esports and gaming.
• Stay ahead of industry trends and best practices.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Budget management

Remote collaboration

Community management

Content strategy

Negotiation

Communication

Gaming knowledge

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a forward-thinking organization at the intersection of technology and leisure, is establishing a new division focused on esports and competitive gaming. We are seeking an visionary and highly experienced Director of Esports & Gaming Development to lead this exciting venture. This remote-first role will be responsible for conceptualizing, building, and scaling our esports operations, including team management, event production, content creation, and community engagement. The ideal candidate is deeply immersed in the esports landscape, possesses strong leadership acumen, and has a proven track record of success in growing gaming communities and ventures. This is a ground-floor opportunity to shape the future of competitive gaming for our organization, reporting remotely and contributing strategically from anywhere.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive strategy for the organization's esports and gaming initiatives.
• Oversee the recruitment, management, and development of professional esports teams and players.
• Lead the planning and execution of online and offline esports tournaments and events.
• Drive content strategy and production, including streaming, video, and social media content.
• Foster and grow a vibrant and engaged esports community around our brand.
• Manage relationships with game publishers, sponsors, influencers, and other key stakeholders in the esports ecosystem.
• Develop and manage budgets for esports operations, ensuring financial sustainability and growth.
• Identify and explore new opportunities for growth within the esports and gaming sector.
• Stay at the forefront of industry trends, technologies, and best practices in esports.

Requirements

• Extensive experience (7+ years) in the esports or professional gaming industry, with a strong focus on management and development.
• Proven track record of building and managing successful esports teams, leagues, or events.
• Deep understanding of various game titles, competitive meta, and the esports landscape.
• Experience in content strategy, production, and community management within the gaming space.
• Exceptional leadership, strategic planning, and execution skills.
• Strong financial acumen and experience managing significant budgets.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, particularly in a remote setting.
• Passion for gaming and a deep understanding of player motivations and community dynamics.
• Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent relevant experience.

Benefits

• As a fully remote position, this role offers unparalleled flexibility and the opportunity to work from anywhere.
• Our client provides a highly competitive salary package, along with performance-based bonuses and stock options, reflecting the strategic importance of this new division.
• Comprehensive health benefits and a generous professional development budget are also included.
• You will be part of building something impactful from the ground up, with significant autonomy and influence over our esports strategy.
• This is a unique opportunity for a seasoned esports leader to leave their mark on a rapidly growing industry.