Senior Manager, Creative Strategy and Planning, Core Games

Senior Manager, Creative Strategy and Planning, Core Games

Los Angeles, California, United States

Founded in 2005, the 2K label includes some of the most talented game development studios in the world today including: Firaxis Games, Visual Concepts, Hangar 13, 2K Czech and Cat Daddy Games. Our world-class team of engineers, developers, graphic artists and publishing professionals are stewards of a growing library of critically-acclaimed franchises such as Battleborn, BioShock, Borderlands, The Darkness, Mafia, NBA 2K, Sid Meier's Civilization, WWE 2K, and XCOM. 2K is headquartered in Novato, California and is a wholly owned label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO).

2K develops and publishes interactive entertainment globally for console systems, handheld gaming systems and personal computers, including smartphones and tablets, which are delivered through physical retail, digital download, online platforms, and cloud streaming services. 2K publishes titles in today's most popular gaming genres, including shooters, action, role-playing, strategy, sports, casual, and family entertainment.

Our vision at 2K is to create a diverse and inclusion environment to "Come as You are and Feel Equipped to do Your Best Work!" We are dedicated to promoting diversity, multiculturalism, and equality in all that we do. Our communities are focused on increased access and personal growth, and their greatness depends on a diversity of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, national origin, and perspective. We're an equal opportunity employer, and we're excited to build the future of co-living with the world's most hardworking and passionate people.

What We Need

The Senior Manager, Creative Strategy and Planning is a lead practitioner and "maker" within the Creative Strategy pillar. Reporting to the Director, this role is responsible for the hands-on development of fundamental strategic assets that guide a diverse portfolio of 2K's most iconic "tattoo worthy" franchises. You will act as the primary strategic peer to Creative Directors (CDs), co-authoring foundational assets that serve as the "North Star" for both global marketing campaigns and the game development studios themselves. This position is not just a bridge to agencies, but a tactical anchor that ensures "soulful," high-impact creative direction remains consistent from early pre-production through multi-year launch campaigns.

A core component of this role is partnering directly with Creative Directors (CDs) as a strategic peer to co-author and draft franchise positioning, creative platforms, and franchise-level architectures. This position serves as the primary tactical bridge between Business Units (BUs), internal creative teams, and external agencies—personally translating "cold" business objectives into soulful, high-impact creative direction. The Senior Manager must be a master of "social gymnastics," navigating a multiverse of brands and studio cultures while managing diplomatic tension between business requirements and creative integrity.

What You Will Do

Strategic Co-Authoring, Portfolio Architecture Strategic & Long-Term Architecture

• Foundational Strategy: Directly author and draft franchise positioning and strategy frameworks that serve as foundational documents for both Marketing and the Studio teams.
• Long-Cycle Stewardship: Maintain strategic continuity over long development cycles, ensuring the creative platform remains relevant from announcement to launch.
• Portfolio Balance: Simultaneously manage a diverse portfolio, balancing massive tentpole "new" titles with the maintenance and growth of existing, legendary IP.
• Creative Briefing: Write and refine concise, compelling creative briefs that translate complex business objectives into actionable direction for internal teams and agencies.

The "Tactical Bridge" & Conflict Resolution

• Multi-Stakeholder Alignment: Act as the strategic liaison between various marketing teams, internal creative departments, and unique studio cultures
• Diplomatic Tension: Manage the delicate balance between rigorous business requirements and the creative integrity of the studio's vision, facilitating resolution when goals diverge.
• Strategic Anchor: Flag when tactical execution deviates from the co-authored brand strategy, having the courage to course-correct high-level stakeholders.

Media Lens & Creative Resonance

• Apply a deep understanding of the gaming category to ensure creative platforms fit how players discover and engage with the ever changing gaming landscape.
• Inform creative development through the lens of modern media consumption and channel intent, ensuring creative platforms are "built to fit" how players actually discover and engage with content.
• Partner with Insights and Marketing Tech teams to validate co-authored strategies through data, making hands-on adjustments to positioning as market conditions evolve.

Project & Stakeholder Liaison

• Manage the day-to-day strategic workflow for an assigned portfolio of franchises, ensuring all stakeholders (BU, Studio, Agency) remain aligned on the brand roadmap.
• Present co-authored strategies and positioning to internal stakeholders to gain alignment and drive execution.
• Contribute to the evolution of standardized creative strategy templates and best practices to scale the "Maker" culture within the pillar.

Who We Think Will Be A Great Fit

• Situational Adaptability: Adapting approach and demeanor in real time to match the shifting demands of different franchises, studio cultures, and creative challenges.
• Action Oriented: Readily taking on challenges, with a focus on producing high-quality strategic work products.
• Strategic Mindset: Seeing ahead to future possibilities and translating them into breakthrough, authored strategies for IPs that may not launch for several years.
• Persuades: Using compelling arguments and high-quality drafts to gain the support and commitment of others, especially during moments of "diplomatic tension."
• Collaborates: Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others (Creative Directors, BUs, Studios, Agencies) to meet shared objectives.
• 8+ years of experience in creative strategy, brand planning, or communications strategy, specifically within the gaming industry
• Expert-level craft in co-authoring franchise-level positioning and creative platforms alongside high-level creative leadership.
• Passionate Gamer: Deep knowledge of core gaming franchises, marketing playbooks, and the nuances of the core player base.
• Strong ability to inform creative through a deep understanding of media consumption habits
• Demonstrated experience in conflict resolution and managing "diplomatic tension" between business and creative stakeholders.
• Excellent storytelling and presentation skills, with the ability to simplify complex concepts into actionable plans.

As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to ensuring that qualified individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform their essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us if you need reasonable accommodation.

The pay range for this position in California at the start of employment is expected to be between $123,000 and $170,000 per year. However, base pay offered is based on market location, and may vary further depending on individualized factors for job candidates, such as job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and other objective business considerations. Subject to those same considerations, the total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including a bonus and/or equity awards and eligibility to participate in our 401(K) plan and Employee Stock Purchase Program. Regular, full-time employees are also eligible for a range of benefits at the Company, including: medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance coverage; 14 paid holidays per calendar year; paid vacation time per calendar year (ranging from 15 to 25 days) or eligibility to participate in the Company's discretionary time off program; up to 10 paid sick days per calendar year; paid parental and compassionate leave; wellbeing programs for mental health and other wellness support; family planning support through Maven; commuter benefits; and reimbursements for fitness-related expenses.

Please note that 2K Games and its studios never uses instant messaging apps or personal email accounts to contact prospective employees or conduct interviews and when emailing, only use 2K.com accounts.