Associate Producer, Game Production

Hybrid Work Model

SEGA of America, Inc. a rapidly expanding video games publisher and developer within the western market, and is the US arm of SEGA Sammy, a world leader in the provision of interactive entertainment both inside and outside the home. SEGA develops, publishes and distributes interactive entertainment software products for a variety of hardware platforms such as Xbox, PlayStation platforms, Nintendo platforms, PC and wireless devices.

SEGA… What do you think of when you hear that word? Do you think of the console with the iconic, harmonized voice fire ups or do you think of the countless gaming hits from Sonic the Hedgehog to Golden Axe to the Persona series?

When we think of SEGA, we think of its evolution as a pioneer in the video game market to one of the most prominent video game developers and publishers ever! Globally, SEGA has over 5,000 employees passionately working to bring the best gaming entertainment to players around the planet. We have one of, if not the richest, portfolio of original IPs – something we are very proud of and excited about as the market continues to change. New streaming technologies and shifts in the retail landscape are well poised for what will be the most disruptive and innovative time in our industry. Our IP strategy positions us well for this, and we are enthusiastic about the future!

There’s never been a more exciting time in the company’s history to join SEGA!

Associate Producer, Console

SEGA of America is seeking a game Associate Producer to help deliver Sonic the Hedgehog console and PC products developed in Japan to publish in the Western markets. Our Burbank, CA-based Producers are internationally minded professionals who coordinate between our Japan-based development teams, our Burbank-based Sonic the Hedgehog Marketing team, our Irvine-based Publishing teams, and Europe-based Localization teams to deliver Sonic the Hedgehog video games product to market on time, on budget, and at target quality.

We are currently considering a wide range of experienced candidates for this position, and are looking for individuals who love games, language, multiculturalism, creativity, and can speak with enthusiasm for their product.

You should apply for this job if…

• You have at least 3 years of combined production, project management, and/or localization experience within the game industry, and understand what it takes to ship a console and PC video game product.

• You are credited on at least 1 shipped global title on current generation consoles/platforms

• You have a deep understanding of the importance of proper written and verbal communication required to entertaining a wide variety of people across different languages and cultures.
• You can throw together a production schedule in a heartbeat, and follow that up with a plan for addressing the many checks and confirmations required to see the content to completion.
• You are accustomed to working across regions, time zones, and languages and are familiar with the associated challenges.
• You are a wiz at commonly used production tools and formats, such as Excel, Word, Powerpoint, MemoQ, XLOC, and other localization tools and platforms.
• You have a proven track record of driving projects to completion.
• You enjoy the responsibility and satisfaction of working with teams all around the world on a shared project.
• You are highly organized, love bringing order to chaos, and keeping people in the loop.

• You have a strong work ethic, positive attitude with a high degree of professionalism.

• Games are love, games are life: Especially games from Japan. You have opinions about them, know what makes them good and what makes them bad.
• You can balance the expectations of fans with the needs to a larger gaming audience.
• You have extensive experience working with vendors and teams associated with the video game industry, including video game voice over recording experience.
• Working in multilingual, multicultural environments is exciting for you, and you have a strong understanding of the language challenges facing the game industry.
• You can respect the legacy of over 30 years of Sonic the Hedgehog video games, and work to preserve the integrity of the characters and terminology across the projects you manage.

In the SEGA Production Department, you will spend your days doing the following

• Acting as the international conduit for QA setup and LQA execution, making sure Producers and QA Leads understand the timing and requirements for testing.
• Getting in front of fans and media to talk about and promote your product at tradeshows and media tours.
• Breaking down your projects into manageable subtasks and getting them done independently.
• Playing the games and generating feedback and insight as needed.
• Checking terminology and naming conventions across the localized languages. High attention to detail is critical!
• Communicating internally to support the content approvals and localization needs for the project, in addition to keeping those teams up to date with the weekly status of localization.
• Keeping the Localization Producer and Game Producer aware of accurate schedules, up-to-date needs, daily bug status reports, and updated conversations about the projects under your supervision.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Making sure internal teams understand what makes your game fun, compelling, interesting, and unique, and what is the importance of the title to the brand roadmap.
• Gathering and digesting information about your production responsibilities and deadlines with the Producer to reassess the current status of the project needs and priorities.
• Providing proactive guidance and engaging with marketing on external activities related to your product.
• Setting up and attending the recording of English voiceover with the legacy Studio, Director, Game Producer and Voice Talent.
• Supporting the greater needs of the projects, including coordinating internal communications, translating and distributing internal documentation, getting game text translated, or shuffling bug reports. Whatever it takes to get things done.
• Coordinating with QA to make sure the quality of the product is assured, vetting issues, and providing direction to the Development team if necessary.
• Communicating with external vendors to estimate, schedule and execute on time, on quality and on budget for any production needs the title requires.
• Communicating with the internal teams to make sure content approvals, publishing needs and product setup and submission are all happening in a timely manner.
• Building post-mortem lookbacks on your project for the benefit of yourself and the group.
• Acting with the Producer, you will represent the vision and nature of the product in your care.
• Making sure best practices and policy is followed and implemented within your projects.
• Building resourcing plans and schedules for approval by your managers and alignment with your dev teams.

The pandemic is over, we may need to send you places!

• Fly both domestically and internationally to conduct business, meet vendors or attend professional industry events.

• Passport and ability to fly internationally preferred.

• Attend media, trade and consumer events a couple times a year.