Blackbird Interactive is looking for an experienced Producer to manage the backlog, task tracking, and resource management of our first original IP. Hardspace: Shipbreaker launched in Early Access last year; a heavily systems-driven game about dismantling derelict starships that uses a blend of hand-authored and procedural content.
Responsibilities
- Own and manage the Jira backlog to support the production plan created by the Lead producer.
- Track day-to-day tasks and provide real-time visibility to both the Development team and Management
- Constantly analyze the production schedule to proactively raise issues/risks, manage risk register, and report to the lead producer and propose mitigation strategies
- Ability to adjust strategies when needed
- Closely monitors workflow progress
- Validates forecasts based on historical metrics
- Ensures work is structured and described correctly in Jira
- Manage feature breakdown of tasks based on design specifications
- Gather estimates and determine dependencies of work
- Ensure estimates and dependencies fit within the project timeline and projected completion period
- Understand business drivers and apply them to the management of the project plan
- Drive towards project and studio KPIs
- Cultivate positive habits with team members that improve communication and ownership
- Own and manage the bug backlog
- Assists in the triaging of bugs and ensure they are prioritized in active sprints appropriately according to the production plan.
- Work with Product Owner and QA Lead to maintain a prioritized bug backlog
- Generate reports to help visualize project progress
- Support Leads/Director group in managing scope and feature development among teams.
- Set-up and drive conversations and meetings in partnership with leads/directors
Requirements
- 2-3 game shipped titles, at least 1 console~8 years experience
- Experience in various project management methodologies such as Waterfall and Agile
- Effective communication skills across all levels and disciplines
- Ability to work in a dynamic and collaborative team environment
- Experience with JIRA
Pluses
- PMP, Prince2, or equivalent professional experience
- Familiarity with Unity Lean/Agile certifications
- Experience with Asana or other project management software tools
At Blackbird, we're all about being true to our roots. We started small in our CEO's garage, and even though we're expanding, our desire is to stick to that foundation of creativity, community, and collaboration. Our team has proved that great ideas can come from any position in any discipline, so it's important to us to make sure every voice is heard.
Work/life balance is extremely important to us, and we've demonstrated that over the years by severely limiting over-time requirements. We want people to be happy about coming to work every day, and to that end we offer lots of opportunities for growth and development; whether it's lunch and learns, team events, or our generous vacation days, paid holiday closure and flexible schedules. We also try to provide every opportunity possible for our employees to spearhead R&D initiatives through our BlackOps program. In short, don't expect to feel like a cog in a machine working for BBI.
Due to COVID-19, applicants must be eligible to work in Canada, or currently in Canada on a work permit/visa. With the exception of specifically on-site roles, all roles will commence as a work-from-home arrangement. This arrangement will be revisited as COVID-19 government regulations are eased.
Please send a cover letter with your resume and application. If applying for an artistic role, please provide a link to your portfolio and/or demo reel.
If you are interested in the role, please apply even if your experience and skills don’t perfectly match our ideal credentials. We are committed to diversity and especially encourage members of underrepresented communities to apply. As an equal opportunity employer we encourage applications from all qualified individuals. BBI does not discriminate against applicants based on genders, races, national and ethnic origins, religions, ages, sexual orientation, marital and family status, and/or mental or physical disabilities.
