📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Creative Director, Sports
🔹 Company: 2K Games
🔹 Location: Los Angeles, California, United States
🔹 Job Type: Hybrid
🔹 Category: Computer Games
🔹 Date Posted: April 17, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site (Hybrid)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Leading creative efforts for 2K's sports titles, including NBA 2K, WWE 2K, PGA Tour 2K, and TopSpin
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to develop and execute marketing campaigns
- Overseeing visual development and ensuring high-quality creative output
- Elevating and embodying 2K's creative culture
- Innovating and evolving brand identities and strategies for 2K's sports titles
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong understanding of sports, gaming culture, and current trends to create compelling and relevant creative content.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Innovate and evolve brand identities, concepts, and strategies for 2K's sports titles based on cultural triggers, audience insights, and business needs
✅ Work with a cross-functional creative team, including Associate Creative Directors, Designers, Writers, Game Capture Artists, Editors, etc.
✅ Collaborate with the Senior Creative Director of Sports to craft compelling, cohesive, and coherent campaign work for title launches
✅ Oversee the visual development of the project, encouraging input from team members but making final decisions on the visual quality, style, and mood of assets
✅ Communicate the visual design and development of the project to the art team and production through art specifications, style guides, and discussions
✅ Partner with creative, marketing production, global marketing strategy, go-to-market, partnership, and analytic teams to create world-class creative
✅ Innovate and create ideas with the creative teams across 2K's sports portfolio
✅ Participate in and add value to marketing strategies and planning while working with producers to ensure on-budget and on-time creative delivery
✅ Guard, elevate, and embody 2K's creative culture in every possible situation
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of creativity, adaptability, and strong communication skills to manage multiple projects and stakeholders effectively.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree or higher
Experience: 9+ years of professional experience in the creative field, with 3-5 years in a leadership role
Required Skills:
- Excellent skills with Photoshop, Adobe Creative Suite, and Google Slides
- Broad traditional art skills in the areas of color theory, composition, form, and graphic design
- Ability to elevate strategic thinking and planning
- Excellent oral and written communications skills in global market language, including meeting facilitation and presentations across multiple locations and time zones
- Ability to efficiently communicate complex concepts and topics to stakeholders, wider organization, and partners
Preferred Skills:
- Passion for and/or experience working in sports or sports gaming
ASSUMPTION: While a Bachelor's degree is required, equivalent education and experience may be considered for exceptional candidates.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $127,000 - $188,000 per year (based on market location and individualized factors)
Benefits:
- Medical
- Financial
- Equity Awards
- Bonus
Working Hours: Full-time, with a flexible hybrid work arrangement
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate and may vary based on market location, individualized factors, and company performance.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Computer Games. 2K Games is a global video game company, publishing titles developed by some of the most influential game development studios in the world.
Company Size: 1,001-5,000 employees. As a mid-sized company, 2K Games offers a mix of structured processes and agile decision-making, providing opportunities for both collaboration and autonomy.
Founded: 2005. 2K Games has a well-established history in the gaming industry, with a portfolio of popular and critically acclaimed titles.
Company Description:
- 2K Games develops and publishes interactive entertainment for video game consoles, personal computers, and mobile devices
- Home to many talented development studios, including 31st Union, Cat Daddy Games, Cloud Chamber, Firaxis Games, Gearbox Software, Hangar 13, HB Studios, and Visual Concepts
- Portfolio includes global powerhouse NBA 2K; renowned BioShock, Borderlands, Mafia, Sid Meier’s Civilization, and XCOM brands; popular WWE 2K and WWE SuperCard franchises, TopSpin, and the critically and commercially acclaimed PGA TOUR 2K
Company Specialties:
- Video Games and Game Development and Publishing
Company Website: http://www.2k.com
ASSUMPTION: 2K Games is a well-established company with a strong brand and a diverse portfolio of popular gaming titles.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Experienced (10+ years of professional experience)
Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Senior Creative Director of Sports, with a cross-functional team of Associate Creative Directors, Designers, Writers, Game Capture Artists, Editors, and producers
Work Arrangement: Hybrid (on-site and remote work)
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to lead creative efforts for additional gaming franchises within the 2K portfolio
- Opportunities to collaborate with and learn from experienced creative professionals across various gaming studios
- Chance to grow within the creative leadership team as the company expands its gaming portfolio
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential for the right candidate, with opportunities to expand creative responsibilities and influence the company's gaming portfolio.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Hybrid (combination of on-site and remote work)
Office Location(s): Los Angeles, California, United States
Geographic Context:
- Los Angeles is a major city in California, known for its vibrant entertainment industry and diverse cultural scene
- The city offers a mix of urban and suburban living options, with a generally mild Mediterranean climate
- Los Angeles is home to several major gaming studios and tech companies, providing ample networking opportunities
Work Schedule: Full-time, with a flexible hybrid work arrangement (on-site and remote work)
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement offers a balance between on-site collaboration and remote flexibility, allowing for a more personalized work-life balance.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screening with the HR department
- Creative portfolio review and presentation
- On-site or virtual interview with the hiring manager and creative team members
- Final interview with senior leadership
Key Assessment Areas:
- Creative portfolio and problem-solving skills
- Communication and presentation abilities
- Cultural fit and alignment with 2K's creative vision
- Strategic thinking and planning capabilities
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences for this role
- Prepare a strong creative portfolio showcasing your best work and explaining your creative process
- Research 2K Games and the sports gaming industry to demonstrate your knowledge and enthusiasm during the interview
ATS Keywords: Creative Direction, Art Direction, Brand Strategy, Visual Development, Photoshop, Adobe Creative Suite, Graphic Design, Communication, Team Leadership, Project Management, Marketing Strategy, Problem Solving, Cultural Insights, Audience Insights, Sports Knowledge, Gaming Culture
ASSUMPTION: The interview process for this role will focus on assessing creative skills, strategic thinking, and cultural fit, with a strong emphasis on portfolio presentation and problem-solving abilities.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
- Google Slides
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Jira, Trello)
ASSUMPTION: Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and Google Slides is required for this role, while familiarity with project management tools and Microsoft Office Suite is preferred.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Creativity and innovation
- Collaboration and teamwork
- Quality and excellence
- Diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Fun and a positive work environment
Work Style:
- Fast-paced and dynamic
- Creative and innovative
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Results-driven and accountable
- Adaptable and responsive to change
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you embody 2K's creative culture in your work?
- Can you provide an example of a time when you successfully led a creative team through a challenging project?
- How do you stay up-to-date with current gaming trends and cultural insights?
ASSUMPTION: 2K Games values creativity, collaboration, and a positive work environment, seeking candidates who can thrive in a fast-paced and dynamic gaming industry.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously
- Balancing creative vision with practical constraints (e.g., budget, timeline, stakeholder feedback)
- Adapting to a hybrid work environment and maintaining effective communication with remote team members
- Keeping up with the fast-paced and ever-evolving gaming industry
ASSUMPTION: These challenges require strong project management skills, adaptability, and a proactive approach to communication and collaboration.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Creative Director (Sports) vs. Creative Director (Entertainment): The sports-focused role requires a deep understanding of sports, gaming culture, and sports fandom, while the entertainment-focused role may encompass a broader range of gaming genres and cultural trends
- Industry-specific context: The gaming industry is highly competitive and fast-paced, with a strong emphasis on innovation, creativity, and adaptability
- Career path comparison: Both roles offer opportunities for growth and leadership within the creative department, with potential for expansion into additional gaming franchises or studios
ASSUMPTION: While both roles share similarities in creative leadership and strategic planning, the sports-focused role requires specific industry knowledge and cultural insights.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing a comprehensive brand identity and marketing campaign for a new sports gaming franchise, including logo design, color palette, typography, and visual style guide
- Creating a series of social media assets and advertising campaigns to promote an upcoming sports gaming release, targeting specific audience segments and platforms
- Designing and art directing a series of in-game cinematics and promotional trailers, working closely with game developers and motion graphics artists to ensure visual consistency and quality
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects highlight the creative and strategic aspects of the role, showcasing the candidate's ability to develop and execute comprehensive marketing campaigns for sports gaming titles.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the creative team structure and how this role fits within it?
- How does the company support and foster professional growth and development for creative team members?
- What are the most significant challenges facing the sports gaming industry, and how does this role contribute to addressing them?
- How does the company approach collaboration and communication with remote team members in a hybrid work environment?
- What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this role, and how will my success be measured?
ASSUMPTION: Asking these questions demonstrates a proactive approach to understanding the role, the company, and the gaming industry, while also showcasing your interest in and commitment to the position.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant skills and experiences for this role
- Prepare a strong creative portfolio showcasing your best work and explaining your creative process
- Research 2K Games and the sports gaming industry to demonstrate your knowledge and enthusiasm during the interview
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your continued interest in the position
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
