📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Creative Producer (Publishing)
🔹 Company: Appodeal
🔹 Location: Barcelona, Spain
🔹 Job Type: Hybrid
🔹 Category: Gaming
🔹 Date Posted: 2025-07-28
🔹 Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5-10 years)
🔹 Remote Status: On-site/Hybrid (1 day/week in Barcelona)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Acting as the product owner for a portfolio of external mobile games
- Collaborating with developers to shape gameplay, retention, monetization, and FTUE
- Driving test plans and iterations, leading games from initial build through launch and scale
- Working closely with internal UA, Creative, and Tech teams to improve the game itself
- Being based in or near Catalonia, with the ability to join the Barcelona office once a week
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong understanding of mobile F2P games, game design, and product-focused thinking. It also demands clear communication and analytical skills to drive collaboration and data-informed decisions.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Own and manage the lifecycle of each game, from pitch to post-launch
✅ Define testing plans, success KPIs, timelines, and priorities
✅ Coordinate with developers and internal teams to keep projects on track
✅ Proactively assess risks, delays, and performance issues
✅ Evaluate and improve gameplay loops, FTUE, UX, progression, and monetization
✅ Identify weak points in player experience and retention
✅ Turn high-level problems into testable, actionable solutions
✅ Design and prioritize features, updates, and A/B tests that impact KPIs
✅ Act as the product voice inside the publishing team
✅ Act as the bridge between developer and UA, Creative, Tech, and Ops
✅ Maintain documentation: test logs, build feedback, feature roadmaps
✅ Support creative testing (ad concepts, store assets, positioning)
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a hands-on approach, with a focus on problem-solving and keeping momentum in lean setups.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., Game Design, Computer Science, or a related discipline)
Experience: 3+ years in mobile F2P games (publisher, studio, or hybrid role), as a producer, product owner, or game designer
Required Skills:
- Proven experience in mobile F2P games
- Strong game design skills and understanding of what makes a game fun and retainable
- Product-focused mindset, with a focus on retention, LTV, ARPU, CPI, and ROAS
- Clear communication and collaboration skills across diverse stakeholders
- Analytical skills, using data to inform hypotheses and prioritize work
- Fluency in English
Preferred Skills:
- Experience with agile methodologies
- Knowledge of Spanish
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a strong understanding of mobile F2P games and be able to break down mechanics, systems, and pacing to suggest improvements.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: €45,000 - €65,000 per year (based on industry standards for a mid-senior level role in Barcelona)
Benefits:
- Competitive salary and equity compensation
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- Retirement savings plan with company matching
- Flexible work arrangements and remote work options
- Professional development opportunities
Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours/week), with flexibility for a hybrid work arrangement (1 day/week in the Barcelona office)
ASSUMPTION: The salary range is estimated based on industry standards for a mid-senior level role in Barcelona, with a focus on mobile gaming and publishing.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Appodeal is a leading mobile ad tech company, specializing in ML-powered ad solutions for mobile app publishers
Company Size: Medium-sized (201-500 employees), with a global presence and a lean, agile team
Founded: 2015, with headquarters in McLean, Virginia, and offices in Barcelona, Warsaw, and Minsk
Company Description:
- Appodeal offers an open-SDK mediation, programmatic ad exchange, and mobile DSP, all powered by in-house machine learning
- The company is committed to keeping app monetization strong and helping mobile apps and games reach and engage the right audiences
- In 2025, Appodeal was named one of the top 5 ad SDKs worldwide by Pixalate
Company Specialties:
- Mobile ad tech
- Machine learning
- Mobile app publishing
- Gaming
Company Website: appodeal.com
ASSUMPTION: Appodeal's focus on machine learning and data-driven decisions makes it an attractive employer for candidates interested in cutting-edge technology and innovative solutions.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-Senior Level (5-10 years of experience)
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Head of Publishing at Appodeal
Work Arrangement: Hybrid (1 day/week in the Barcelona office)
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to influence publishing strategy and contribute ideas
- Opportunity to work on games with growth potential and real user traction
- Possibility to take ownership of games and shape their development
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential for the right candidate, with the opportunity to make a real impact on Appodeal's publishing strategy.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Hybrid (1 day/week in the Barcelona office)
Office Location(s): Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
Geographic Context:
- Barcelona is the second-largest city in Spain, with a vibrant gaming industry and a strong focus on technology and innovation
- The city offers a high quality of life, with a mild Mediterranean climate, rich cultural heritage, and a diverse international community
- Catalonia is a autonomous community in northeastern Spain, with its own language (Catalan) and cultural identity
Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours/week), with flexibility for a hybrid work arrangement (1 day/week in the Barcelona office)
ASSUMPTION: Barcelona offers a unique blend of cultural richness, technological advancement, and quality of life, making it an attractive location for gaming professionals.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application and resume screening
- Phone or video call with the hiring manager
- Technical assessment or case study
- Final interview with the team
Key Assessment Areas:
- Game design skills and understanding of mobile F2P games
- Product-focused mindset and analytical skills
- Clear communication and collaboration skills
- Cultural fit with Appodeal's values and work environment
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills
- Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions, focusing on your problem-solving skills and ability to work in a lean, agile team
- Showcase your understanding of Appodeal's products and services, and how your skills align with the company's mission
ATS Keywords: Mobile F2P games, game design, product ownership, project management, cross-team communication, analytical skills, problem-solving, user acquisition, monetization strategies, game evaluation, retention strategies, feature prioritization, documentation, collaboration, agile methodologies, data analysis, creative thinking
ASSUMPTION: Appodeal's hiring process is designed to assess candidates' technical skills, cultural fit, and ability to thrive in a lean, agile team.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Game engines (e.g., Unity, Unreal Engine)
- Project management tools (e.g., JIRA, Asana, Trello)
- Data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, Google Analytics, Mixpanel)
- Communication and collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams, Google Workspace)
ASSUMPTION: This role requires proficiency in game engines, project management tools, and data analysis tools, as well as strong communication and collaboration skills.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Continuous Learning and Growth
- Making an Impact
- Solving Exciting Challenges
- Enjoying the Journey
Work Style:
- Collaborative and cross-functional
- Data-driven and analytical
- Agile and adaptable
- Creative and innovative
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you thrive in a lean, agile team environment?
- Are you comfortable working with diverse stakeholders and driving collaboration?
- Do you have a strong understanding of mobile F2P games and game design?
- Are you able to use data to inform hypotheses and prioritize work?
ASSUMPTION: Appodeal values candidates who are passionate about learning, growth, and making an impact, as well as those who can thrive in a lean, agile team environment.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Working with external developers and managing their expectations
- Balancing the needs of multiple stakeholders, including developers, internal teams, and users
- Keeping up with the fast-paced nature of the gaming industry and its constant evolution
- Managing work-life balance in a hybrid work arrangement
ASSUMPTION: This role presents unique challenges, such as managing external developers and balancing multiple stakeholder needs, but also offers significant growth opportunities and the chance to make a real impact on Appodeal's publishing strategy.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is unique in its focus on external mobile games and cross-team collaboration
- Compared to in-house producer roles, this position requires more external stakeholder management and less direct control over game development
- In terms of career path, this role offers significant growth potential, with the opportunity to influence publishing strategy and contribute ideas
ASSUMPTION: This role is distinct from other producer roles in its focus on external mobile games and cross-team collaboration, offering unique challenges and growth opportunities.
📝 Sample Projects
- Managing the launch and growth of a hyper-casual game, optimizing user acquisition, retention, and monetization strategies
- Collaborating with an external developer to improve the gameplay and progression of a mid-core game, increasing its long-term success
- Working with internal teams to create and test ad concepts, store assets, and positioning for a newly launched game, driving user acquisition and engagement
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the diverse range of responsibilities and collaborations required for this role, from managing game launches to working with internal teams and external developers.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does Appodeal support the growth and success of external mobile games?
- What are the most important qualities for a Creative Producer in this role?
- How does Appodeal approach collaboration and communication with external developers?
- What are the biggest challenges facing the gaming industry, and how does Appodeal address them?
- How does Appodeal foster a culture of continuous learning and growth?
ASSUMPTION: These interview questions are designed to assess the company's approach to external mobile games, collaboration, and growth opportunities, as well as the candidate's cultural fit and understanding of the gaming industry.
📌 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 experience and skills, with a focus on mobile F2P games, game design, and product ownership
- Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions, focusing on your problem-solving skills and ability to work in a lean, agile team
- Showcase your understanding of Appodeal's products and services, and how your skills align with the company's mission
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application, inquiring about the status of your application and expressing your continued interest in the role
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
