Director, Operations

The L.A. Times Studios LLC vision is to be the premier studio for groundbreaking and impactful storytelling, setting high standards for excellence in content creation and production. We push the boundaries of traditional media, exploring new formats and platforms to reach diverse and global audiences. By championing innovative ideas and diverse voices, we aspire to create a more connected world through storytelling and events supported by robust revenue streams from advertising sales, branded content, event production, products and business development.

Join a team of creative, collaborative and innovative professionals, apply today using the link below.
The Director, Operations leads the planning, execution, and optimization of live game operations to ensure seamless delivery, player satisfaction, and business performance across all titles. This role oversees live service operations, content deployment, in-game events, and monetization strategies, ensuring operational excellence and cross-functional alignment between production, engineering, art, analytics, and player experience teams. The Director drives the operational roadmap, establishes best practices for live operations, and leverages data-driven insights to enhance engagement, retention, and revenue across the studio's portfolio. Additionally, this role manages departmental budgeting, resource planning, and performance forecasting, and partners closely with senior leadership across multiple entities to align operational goals with broader business strategy and financial objectives.

Main Job Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee all aspects of live game operations, ensuring smooth execution of content updates, in-game events, and service performance across multiple titles.
• Develop and implement operational strategies that enhance player engagement, retention, and monetization while maintaining high standards of quality and stability.
• Collaborate closely with senior leadership to align operational priorities with overall studio goals, financial targets, and long-term business strategy.
• Establish and manage department budgets, forecasts, and resource allocations to ensure efficient use of funds and optimal return on investment.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to develop and manage esports operations, including tournament organization, player relations, and broadcast coordination, ensuring alignment with brand and community engagement goals.
• Direct cross-functional teams—including production, engineering, analytics, and player experience—to ensure alignment and timely delivery of live operations initiatives.
• Define and maintain best practices for live service management, including risk assessment, performance monitoring, and issue resolution.
• Utilize analytics and performance data to identify trends, evaluate outcomes, and drive continuous improvement across live service operations.
• Oversee the scheduling, deployment, and optimization of live content updates, patches, and feature rollouts to ensure smooth player experiences.
• Partner with marketing, product, and community teams to plan and execute live events, promotions, and engagement campaigns that drive player satisfaction and revenue growth.
• Prepare and present regular operational performance reports and financial summaries to senior leadership, offering insights and recommendations for future planning.
• Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing operations team, fostering collaboration, accountability, and professional development.
• Stay current with industry trends, live service technologies, and emerging tools to inform innovation and competitive advantage.
• Other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Game Production, Business Administration, Computer Science and 10+ years of experience in game development, live operations, esports, or production, including at least 5 years in a leadership or director-level role OR 12+ years of experience in game development, live operations, esports or production, including at least 5 years in a leadership or director-level role.
• Proven track record managing live service games or large-scale online operations in a studio or publisher environment.
• Demonstrated success driving operational strategy, live content delivery, and monetization optimization.
• Deep understanding of live game ecosystems, player engagement loops, and retention strategies.
• Strong grasp of production pipelines, release management, and cross-platform operations.
• Excellent analytical and data-driven decision-making skills; experience using analytics tools to inform business and gameplay decisions.
• Skilled in building and managing cross-functional teams in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder management abilities.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to balance long-term vision with day-to-day operational execution.
• Familiarity with agile or live service production methodologies and tools (e.g., Jira, Confluence, Tableau, etc.).
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing budgets and resource planning.
• Passion for gaming, player experience, and emerging industry trends.

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters degree in Game Production, Business Administration, Computer Science
• Experience working on live multiplayer, MMO, or free-to-play titles.
• Background in technical operations, online infrastructure, or product management.
• Knowledge of platform compliance (Steam, PlayStation, Xbox, mobile) and live update processes.

The L.A. Times Studios, LLC is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all qualified applicants regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We actively work to create an inclusive environment where all of our employees can thrive. This Privacy Notice for L.A. Times Studios, LLC sets forth how we will use the information we obtain when you apply for a position with us.

The pay scale the Company reasonably expects to pay for this position at the time of the posting is $165,000 to $175,000.02 and takes into account a wide range of factors including but not limited to skill set, experience, training, licenses, certifications, and other business or organizational needs. Compensation will be determined based on the above factors along with the requirements of the position. At the L.A. Times Studios, LLC, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for the role.
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