Located in the SOMA district of San Francisco, Outspark is positioned to become a leader in the rapidly evolving U.S. casual gaming market. We’re recruiting talented individuals who will enjoy rewarding positions with serious career potential, competitive benefits, and awesome coworkers (and, of course, the Nintendo Wii in the game room).

To Apply CLICK HERE

Or Apply at jobs@outspark.com

Social Media Marketing Manager

The Social Media Marketing Manager will be a vital part of the marketing team and will help define and execute our social media strategy. The role will involve engaging with our community of players through various social platforms and channels to drive activity, retention, brand awareness and preference, and acquisition. The goal is to cultivate and grow the community in concert with other game master, marketing, and PR initiatives. The position demands an excellent project and time manager who is able to juggle multiple assignments with ease. The Social Media Marketing Manager must be a creative, energetic leader who is extremely detail oriented and takes pride in managing and delighting the community.

Responsibilities:

• Define and execute social media activities to align with overall marketing strategy and company goals
• Champion social initiatives and integration across all Outspark properties. Work with appropriate stakeholders to ensure seamless implementation
• Serve as a spokesperson and advocate for the company in social media outlets such as Facebook, Twitter, Outspark game forums, blogs, news feed, email, etc. Manage all of these venues
• Engage the community in a voice for appropriate for them. The communication should not only inspire our players’ sense of community, but it should also drive action and deliver business results
• Understand audience behavior and performance of various messages to maximize player engagement. Measure and analyze efficacy of various programs to assess ROI
• Drive social media efforts by managing campaigns, promotions, outreach, engagement, and other inbound/outbound communications
• Contribute to marketing strategy meetings to understand and provide input to holistic marketing goals
• Synthesize and internalize goals of multiple teams to formulate and deliver succinct and compelling marketing programs
• Maintain consistent brand tone across various messaging channels
• Manage multiple projects and deliver against milestones and deliverables. Continually improve processes to deliver high quality, on-key communications in a timely manner

Key Requirements:

• 3+ years of social media and/or community management experience with exposure to marketing and PR
• Expert knowledge of social media platforms and best practices for effectively leveraging them to meet company goals
• Expertise and passion in community engagement and relationship building, preferably in the online gaming industry
• Strong advocate for the player and for improving player experience
• Metrics and performance oriented. Experience with delivering communications that compel action, while maintaining brand voice
• Extraordinarily creative yet flexible in adapting to what the metrics and data bear out and to feedback
• Effective communicator who possesses excellent English grammar and language skills. Fluency in foreign languages a plus
• Strong command of search engine optimization and experience implementing SEO strategies
• Extremely detail oriented and strong project management skills
• Energetic and motivated leader
• MBA from a top business school, Bachelor’ s degree

Project Manager

Responsibilities:

• Work across departments to help drive other factors related to the success of the title(s) such as marketing, public relations, engineering, customer support, etc
• Manage a small task force team independently to operate live & emergent project(s)
• Manage the relationship with business partners to further the Outspark reputation for success in business
• Setting and prioritizing key business priorities in conjunction with the Chief Operation Officer and other members of the management team including Director of Product Management
• Ongoing and thorough analysis with detailed recommendations on how to improve both game titles’ life span and revenue
• Analyze Competitors’ business strength and deliver finding & modifications to Outspark game titles

Key Requirements:

• 5+ years game production, marketing and operation experience including production or publishing of game titles (MMO’s or online game titles preferred)
• Prior project management of large scale projects covering multiple disciplines
• Experience conveying ideas and concepts to team members with a wide variety of backgrounds implying excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Experience working in a fast paced, technology driven environment
• Proven track record of working with external game development teams (working with foreign development resources a plus) on two or more titles
• Leadership experience, specifically in small teams and growing other team members into larger roles through delegation
• Familiarity or prior experience with software or other QA process
• Experience in a live service environment including service programming, and customer management
• Experience in forecasting, pricing, or working with micro transactions a plus
• Foreign languages (Mandarin, Korean, Japanese) a plus
• Passion and personal interest in gaming preferred
• Previous community leadership experience a plus

Software Engineer

Responsible for development and architecture of our web properties and web services. Will write coherent, organized code using best engineering practices and be comfortable working on a complicated code base with high levels of abstraction. Work with other developers, teams and stakeholders and adapt feedback your code in an atmosphere of rapid prototyping and constantly evolving requirements to meet business demands.

Responsibilities:

• Able to write coherent, organized code and be comfortable working on a complicated code-base with high levels of abstraction
• Writes high quality code in a PHP/LAMP environment
• Addresses critical issues on games, which have several million users across multiple online networks
• Works with high data sets and massively high concurrent-use load

Key Requirements:

• BS in Computer Science and/or related work experience
• 3+ years software development experience
• Programming experience with at least one language such as C, C++, C#, Java, Perl, etc
• Software development experience
• Multiple and current PHP projects
• Knowledge of object-oriented analysis and design principles
• Excellent teamwork skills, flexibility, and ability to handle multiple tasks
• Experience and passion for identifying ways to do things better and a sense of ownership that leads you to create and implement new best practices

Copywriter

The Copywriter will be an integral part of the marketing team and will author copy that appeals to the hearts and minds of our users, the press, and industry analysts through channels such as the website, newsletters, emails, social networks, advertisements, promotions, and press releases. He/she should be an excellent project and time manager and should be able to juggle multiple assignments with ease, while adhering to the brand tone and switching voices as required by the target audience of the copy.
The Copywriter must be a creative, energetic leader who is extremely detail oriented and takes pride in producing compelling, action-oriented, and inspiring prose.

Responsibilities:

• Write clear and concise copy using the appropriate voice for the target audience. The copy should drive action and deliver business results
• Understand audience behavior and performance of various messages to optimize copy and maximize user engagement. Conduct ad-hoc A/B testing and focus group testing
• Contribute to creative and strategy meetings to understand and provide input to the voice and intent of various marketing messages
• Synthesize goals of multiple teams and internalize collateral from many sources to formulate and deliver succinct and compelling messaging
• Maintain consistent brand tone across various messaging channels and champion that consistency amongst all teams
• Manage multiple projects and deliver against milestones and deliverables. Continually improve processes to deliver high quality assets in a timely manner

Key Requirements:

• 3+ years of copywriting experience with exposure to marketing and PR
• Expertise and passion for writing marketing copy, preferably in the online gaming industry
• Strong advocate for the user and for improving user experience
• Metrics and performance oriented. Experience with writing copy that compels action, while maintaining brand voice
• Extraordinarily creative yet flexible in adapting to what the metrics and data bear out and to feedback
• Excellent English grammar and language skills. Fluency in foreign languages a plus
• Extremely detail oriented and strong project management skills
• Energetic and motivated leader
• Bachelor’ s degree

Visual Designer

The Visual Designer will be an integral part of the marketing team and will create visuals that appeals to the hearts and minds of our users, the press, and industry analysts through channels such as the website, newsletters, emails, social networks, advertisements, and promotions. He/she should be an excellent project and time manager and should be able to juggle multiple assignments with ease, while adhering to the brand and adapting the creative to nuances as required by the target audience of the artwork. The Visual Designer must be a creative, energetic leader who is extremely detail oriented and takes pride in producing compelling, action-oriented, and inspiring visuals.

Responsibilities:

• Produce creative and clear visuals appropriate for the target audience. The artwork should drive action and deliver business results
• Understand audience behavior and performance of various creatives to optimize them and maximize user engagement. Conduct ad-hoc A/B testing and focus group testing
• Contribute to creative and strategy meetings to understand and provide input to the tone and intent of various marketing initiatives
• Synthesize goals of multiple teams and internalize collateral from many sources to formulate and deliver succinct and compelling creatives
• Maintain consistent branding across various messaging channels and champion that consistency amongst all teams
• Manage multiple projects and deliver against milestones and deliverables. Continually improve processes to deliver high quality assets in a timely manner

Key Requirements:

• 3+ years of visual design experience with exposure to marketing and PR
• Expertise and passion for creating marketing assets, preferably in the online gaming industry
• Strong advocate for the user and for improving user experience
• Metrics and performance oriented. Experience with creating artwork that compels action, while maintaining the brand Extraordinarily creative yet flexible in adapting to what the metrics and data bear out and to feedback
• Excellent visual design skills and knowledge of graphic design principles
• Fluent use of latest digital design tools, including Photoshop and Flash, and knowledge of latest web standards, such as HTML and CSS
• Ability to rapidly produce high fidelity mock-ups as well as production level creatives with pixel perfect quality
• Extremely detail oriented and strong project management skills
• Energetic and motivated leader
• achelor’ s degree in graphic design or equivalent

Product Manager

An Outspark Product Manager (PM) has ownership and responsibility for all tasks required to launch, successfully operate and grow an Outspark MMO game title(s). The PM is instrumental in driving the direction of the product through the launch and the continued live operation service/operation cycle. An Outspark PM should bring analytical experience and direction to the product, but also possess qualitative understand on how to manage a diverse online product. Ultimately, the PM is responsible for the success of the product. This role reports directly to the Director of Product Management, but includes regular interaction with VP, SVP, and executive level members.

Responsibilities:

• An Outspark PM has ownership and responsibility for all tasks required to launch, operate and grow a successful Outspark MMO game title(s)
• Ongoing and thorough analysis with detailed recommendations on how to improve game titles under management for the North American and EMEA markets.
• Management of the in-game economy for specific title(s), and understanding how the economy from said title can effect Outspark revenue into the future
• Event and promotion planning, execution and analysis.
• Setting and prioritizing key business priorities in conjunction with the Director of Product Management and other members of the management team.
• Manage a small product team to independently operate live title(s).
• Work across departments to help drive other factors related to the success of the title(s) such as marketing, public relations, engineering, customer support, etc.
• Processing feedback from the user community to create improvements in title(s) offering and features
• Working with the developer to strategically create the extended roadmap for title(s) including content, sales, and event milestones
• Management of the relationship with development partners to further the Outspark reputation for success in business and developer relations.

Requirements:

• 5+ years game production, marketing and operation experience including production or publishing of game titles (MMO’s or online game titles preferred)
• Prior project management of large scale projects covering multiple disciplines
• Experience conveying ideas and concepts to team members with a wide variety of backgrounds implying excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Experience working in a fast paced, technology driven environment.
• Proven track record of working with external game development teams (working with foreign development resources a plus) on two or more titles
• Leadership experience, specifically in small teams and growing other team members into larger roles through delegation
• Familiarity or prior experience with software or other QA process
• Experience in a live service environment including service programming, and customer management
• Experience in forecasting, pricing, or working with micro transactions a plus
• Foreign languages (Chinese, Korean, Japanese) a plus
• Passion and personal interest in gaming preferred
• Previous community leadership experience a plus
• Must be willing to work additional hours as necessary
• Bachelors degree or higher (Business Administration, Marketing, Statistics) preferred

Associate Product Manager

An Outspark Associate Product Manager (APM) supports the Product Manager (PM) for all for all tasks required to launch, successfully operate and grow an Outspark MMO game title(s). The APM will work with the PM to drive the direction of the product through the launch and the continued live operation service/operation cycle. An Outspark APM should have a strong desire to gain a deeper understanding and more experience managing a live, online product hoping to grow into a PM role.

Responsibilities:

• APM will work closely on a daily basis with the PM and other members to assist in launch and live game operation of an assigned Outspark title(s)
• Ongoing and thorough analysis with detailed recommendations on how to improve game titles under management for the North American and EMEA markets.
• Management of the in-game economy for specific title(s), and understanding how the economy from said title can effect Outspark revenue into the future
• Event and promotion planning, execution and analysis.
• Coordination of community marketing channels to drive key business initiatives including management and operations of internally and externally developed tools
• Work across departments to help drive other factors related to the success of the title(s) such as marketing, public relations, engineering, customer support, etc.
• Processing feedback from the user community to create improvements in title(s) offering and features
• Working with the developer and PM to strategically create the extended roadmap for title(s) including content, sales, and event milestones
• Occasional management of the relationship with development partners to further the Outspark reputation for success in business and developer relations.
• Ongoing coordination and analysis of the feedback from end user to produce suggestions and improvements in title(s) offering and features.

Requirements:

• 3+ years game production, marketing and operation experience including production or publishing of game titles (MMO’s or online game titles preferred)
• Prior project management experience a plus
• Experience working with external game development teams (working with foreign development resources a plus) or external operations teams
• Familiarity or prior experience with software or other QA process
• Experience in a live service environment
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills a must.
• Foreign languages (Chinese, Korean, Japanese) a plus
• Passion and personal interest in gaming preferred
• Previous community leadership experience a plus
• Must be willing to work additional hours as necessary
• Bachelors degree or higher preferred

Game Master

A Game Master (GM) is the face of Outspark on not just specific title(s) but across the entire Outspark platform. The GM supports the Product Manager (PM) and Assistant PM (APM) with managing and directing the community, both on a reaction and also growth standpoint. And Outspark GM is one of the most crucial roles and should clearly understand and relate to the users while still maintain official Outspark stances in all issues. The ideal candidate must be self motivated and have a resilient desire to always strive to make things better.

Responsibilities:

• Establish a strong presence within the community through in-game and forum activity in order to develop and maintain Outspark player relationship
• Host, initiate and occasionally plan community events keeping in mind the major objectives and priorities assigned by the PM/APM
• Work with other GM team members to brainstorm, create, plan and improve events plus future content for title(s)
• Provide proper support to players depending on the type of issue they have
• Maintain an in-game administrative role; ensuring and enforcing players adhere to the Outspark policies and rules of conduct
• Serve as a general ear and eye on the community to any potential issues can be met proactively
• Monitor service and game functionality with the use of internally developed tools
• Work closely with Customer Server and Quality Assurance to investigate issues and ensure the quality of the title(s)
• Occasionally collect, investigate, and process various information related to milestones or general state of title(s) as directed by PM/APM.
• Regular reporting to PM/APM on state of title(s).

Requirements:

• Strong logic and reasoning skills; ability to see larger picture items
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Passion and personal interest in gaming preferred
• Player experience in one or more micro transaction based online game
• Proficient computer skills (troubleshooting, MS Office products, basic networking)
• Self motivated, positive and determined character; must not dwell on negative feedback or rejections
• Ability to work in a team, but also independently.
• Must be willing to work additional hours as necessary
• Ability to follow and understand directions
• High school diploma or equivalent
• Leadership experience a plus
• Design or writing experience a plus

Junior Game Master

A Junior Game Master (Jr. GM) along with the Game Master (GM) are the face of Outspark on not just specific title(s) but across the entire Outspark platform. The Jr. GM supports the GM, Product Manager (PM) and Assistant PM (APM) with managing and directing the community, both on a reaction and also growth standpoint. And Outspark GM is one of the most crucial roles and should clearly understand and relate to the users while still maintain official Outspark stances in all issues. The ideal candidate must be self motivated and have a strong desire to learn.

Responsibilities:

• Establish a strong presence within the community through in-game and forum activity in order to develop and maintain Outspark player relationship
• Host and execute community events along with gathering and providing feedback and improvement suggestions post event.
• Work with other GM team members to brainstorm, create, plan and improve events plus future content for title(s)
• Provide proper support to players depending on the type of issue they have
• Maintain a leadership role; ensuring and encouraging players adhere to the Outspark policies and rules of conduct.
• Escalate to product teams and Customer Service as needed when issues escalate into situations which are detrimental to the community or title(s).
• Serve as a general ear and eye on the community to any potential issues can be met proactively
• Monitor service and game functionality with the use of internally developed tools
• Work closely with Customer Service and Quality Assurance to investigate issues and ensure the quality of the title(s)
• Handle special projects as assigned
• Regular reporting to PM/APM on state of title(s).

Requirements:

• Strong logic and reasoning skills; ability to see larger picture items
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Passion and personal interest in gaming preferred
• Player experience in one or more micro transaction based online game
• Proficient computer skills (troubleshooting, MS Office products, basic networking)
• Self motivated, positive and determined character; must not dwell on negative feedback or rejections
• Ability to work in a team, but also independently.
• Must be willing to work additional hours as necessary
• Ability to follow and understand directions
• High school diploma or equivalent
• Design or writing experience a plus
• Strong desire to learn
• Customer service experience a plus

Product Manager, Web Games

The Product Manager will be responsible for creating a list of features to be implemented across all web mmo games. This person will have to work independently to provide a detailed roadmap on the implementation process. The implementation process should include designing, executing, and optimizing the feature(s). They’ll own the outcome of these new features by working with both local and international engineers and project managers to get the features implemented.

Required Skills:

• 2-5 years of experience in product management in consumer web or game development
• Must be able to graphically create wire-frames and give interface direction to UI team
• Must have proven experience in contributing to a successful project or product in the past
• Experience with multivariate testing
• Experience with a web based company managing web based applications
• Passion for creating fun, compelling and addictive user experiences
• Passion for writing product specifications, white papers
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills
• Strong organizational and analytical skills & attention to detail
• We are looking for an enthusiastic, performance-driven self-starter and team player
• Demonstrated capacity for developing and understanding strategy
• Strong aptitude for determining the optimal way to position products in the market
• Strong passion for games
• Previous start-up experience is a strong plus
• Social networking experience is a strong plus
• BA/BS degree – CS/EE/Engineering degree preferred

Public Relations Manager

Outspark is seeking a world class public relations expert with 5-7 years of online games experience. This person will have the opportunity to plan and execute the global launches of highly-anticipated new games from Outspark, and work on the live operations PR of popular global MMORPGs, such as Fiesta, Fists of Fu, Divine Souls and more.

External Communications Specifics:

• Builds & maintains press relations with key members of the gaming press, including editorial contacts
• Creates & maintains media relations tools, databases and promotional assets
• Works with other marketing communications managers in charge of developing promotional marketing campaigns resulting in customer acquisition and retention
• Works with LiveOps product management to promote in-game events and promotions

Internal Communication & Resource Management Specifics:

• Maintains department archives (including image releases, media coverage, sample materials, etc.) and owns news updates and blog production schedules
• Contributes to overall marketing messaging efforts, including market analysis, competitor analysis and overall game brand and identity development
• Provides internal reports communicating the efforts of the department for cross-functional settings

Qualifications and Skills:

• Must have mastery of press relations standards and practices for release and pitch development and publishing
• Must be effective in fast-paced working environments with absolute deadlines
• Experience in marketing and communications, crisis communications experience and training a plus
• Excellent intra-office communication and interpersonal skills required
• Ability to understand and maintain the highest levels of confidentiality and discretion
• A love and affinity for online games
• Multiple languages a plus