Job Overview

As a 2D Art Lead, you will oversee the strategic direction, operational execution, and continuous evolution of our 2D art department. Working closely with Art Directors, Executive Producers, 2D and cross-functional Discipline Leads, you will ensure our art pipelines are robust, innovative, and capable of consistently delivering AAA-quality assets.  

This role requires an innovative mind capable of driving change management, optimizing processes, and integrating cutting-edge technologies and approaches into our workflows. As a 2D Art Manager, you will be managing and empowering 2D Artists at all levels, aligning diverse stakeholders, and ensuring the seamless execution of the artistic vision. If you have a passion for blending high-level creative direction with modern production methodologies, and can guide a team smoothly through technological shifts while maintaining a healthy, motivated environment, this role is for you. 

Reports to

Art Department Manager

What will you do?

• Lead & Develop: Manage, mentor, and grow a high-performing 2D art team (including Supervisors and Experts), focusing on their long-term career development, performance management, and day-to-day empowerment.
• Optimize Processes: Define, implement, and constantly optimize 2D art production pipelines. Foresee production bottlenecks, scale workflows, and increase efficiency without compromising AAA quality. 
• Champion Change & Innovation: Act as a change agent by driving the adoption of new technologies, specifically AI tools and automated workflows. Guide the team through transitions smoothly, securing buy-in and mitigating risks.
• Stakeholder Management: Maintain a close, strategic working relationship with Art Directors, Producers, Art Owners Project Managers, and other cross-functional stakeholders. Effectively manage expectations, align cross-functional teams, and translate project goals into actionable art strategies. 
• Resource & Capacity Planning: Distribute team tasks at a macro level, manage capacity planning, schedule feature production, and maintain high-level planning foresight across the project lifecycle.
• Ensure Artistic Excellence: Maintain a sharp artistic eye to provide high-level reviews. Ensure the team's output meets the foundational requirements of light, perspective, and materials, raising the bar for the project.
• Manage External Partners: Oversee 2D art outsourcing and external vendors, setting clear quality benchmarks, providing constructive feedback, and ensuring seamless integration of external assets into the internal pipeline.
• Cultivate Culture: Maintain an innovative environment that encourages creative problem-solving, participation, and continuous knowledge-sharing from all team members. 

What are we looking for?

• AAA Experience: Proven track record as an Art Manager, Associate Art Director, or 2D Lead Artist in the AAA game industry, with experience managing other leads or large art teams.
• AI Proficiency: Deep understanding of modern generative AI tools (e.g., Midjourney) and a forward-thinking approach to ethically and effectively integrating them into concepting and production pipelines.
• Change & Stakeholder Management: Exceptional interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to guide teams through organizational/technological shifts, align diverse stakeholders, and resolve complex production challenges.
• Process Optimization: Strong strategic mindset with a proven ability to audit, design, and streamline art pipelines for maximum efficiency.
• Artistic Foundation: Excellent foundational art knowledge (light, perspective, anatomy, materials) and comprehensive knowledge of industry-standard 2D software (Photoshop, Illustrator, etc.).
• Leadership & Innovation: A highly innovative mind capable of inspiring others, generating new ideas on the go, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
• Communication: Excellent communication skills with the ability to articulate complex visual and technical goals clearly to both artistic and non-artistic teams.
• Languages: Fluent English skills. 

Work mode

• Hybrid (2-3 days of work from the office)
• This role is eligible for relocation & immigration support.

Benefits

Benefits and perks are tailored to the local market and culture. Our benefits in Belgrade include:

• Additional vacation days based on years of service at Wargaming: up to 5 days on top of the statutory minimum
• Additional paid time off (5 Personal Days, Birthday Leave, Marriage Leave, Compassionate Leave)
• Sick Leave Compensation, Maternity Leave Benefits  
• Premium Private Health Insurance
• Career development and education opportunities within the company
• English clubs and platform for learning languages
• Mental well-being program (iFeel)
• Commuting allowance
• Company events
• FitPass membership
• Discounts for employees
• Personal Gaming Account
• Coffee, fruits, and snacks in the office
• On-site canteen with subsidized prices for food and drinks
• Seniority Awards
• Referral program - you can recommend the best talents to the Company and receive a reward

Please submit your CV in English to ensure smooth processing and review.