Steve Kirk.
Managing Consultant
I have a career spanning over 18 years recruitment experience, and I am now entering my 10th year with Pentasia.
As the longest serving member of our recruitment teams globally, I have brought a wealth of industry knowledge to all facets of our customers businesses across iGaming, Sports Betting, Casino/Slots and Lottery.
I support our Executive Search Business, delivering C-Suite and Head of positions globally whilst also managing our Game Development teams, focused on Senior Game Design, Mathematical and Art positions for Studios and Providers across Europe.
Outside of work, I am a proud father of 2 boys, and enjoy travelling with family and friends as much as I can.
Latest Steve Kirk Jobs.
Art Manager - iGaming
Posted 11 days ago- London
- £55,000 to £70,000
This is exciting opportunity is with a cutting-edge, multinational company specialising in online entertainment, real money gaming, and digital advertising, with a strong emphasis on blockchain and artificial intelligence. By joining, you will be part of a dynamic and visionary team that is dedicated to transform the entertainment, gaming, and digital advertising sectors. If you are excited about working on groundbreaking projects that harness the power of blockchain and artificial intelligence to shape the future of these industries. Role Overview: We are looking for a dedicated art manager to oversee and drive art production for our in- house game studio in London. As an Art Manager, you will play a central role in planning, executing, and following up on game production. You will collaborate closely with the Head of the studio, game designers, developers, artists, and sound engineers, playing a key role in bringing the best possible games to life. The role offers long-term opportunities for growth and team building. The Studio is a new venture founded by business veterans with over 16 years of experience, responsible for some of the top-performing games in the industry over the last two decades. We set high standards and strive for excellence in every aspect of our products and the gaming experience. We are assembling a team of individuals who are genuinely passionate about their work and excel in their respective areas of expertise. Role Description: Collaborate with the studio head and game designers to create concept art, mock-ups, mood boards, and UI designs for upcoming games. Design and produce slot game art, logos, win presentations, game transitions, animations, info pages, etc., for games, both with and without the use of AI tools. Manage and guide in-house and third-party artists toward their goals. Work closely with front-end developers to deliver art assets in the required formats for implementation. Ensure proper compression and optimization of assets for various supported devices. Stay updated on thematic trends and key competitors in the gaming industry, proactively suggesting themes and improvements for upcoming games based on ongoing research. Assist game designers in visualising their game ideas quickly. Stay up-to-date with industry-standard tools and techniques for generating game art and animations. Clearly communicate ideas and concepts throughout the organisation. Maintain libraries of all art assets produced by the studio. The Candidate Must: Have a minimum of 5 years of experience in the online gambling or social gaming industry or in similar roles. Hold a Bachelor's degree in art or a related field, alternatively demonstrate a proven track record in game design art. Present a portfolio of personal work. Have leadership experience and feel at ease directing others. Have previous experience and understanding of mechanics and visuals for slot games and related casino games. Be meticulous, proactive, and possess a keen eye for detail. Provide reasonable and accurate project estimates and meet deadlines. Have proficiency in Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects, Maya, and Spine animations. Have intermediate to advanced knowledge of 3D modelling, character animation, and texturing. Have experience creating storyboards, art guidelines, mood boards, and concept art with a quick turnaround. Demonstrate expertise in layering and delivering assets in preferred formats. Exhibit exceptional illustration, typography, layout, and composition skills. Have an excellent eye for colour theory, composition, and rendering.
2D Artist - Slots/iGaming
Posted 11 days ago- London
- £35,000 - £50,000
This exciting opportunity is with a new venture founded by business veterans with over 16 years of experience, responsible for some of the top-performing games in the industry over the last two decades. They set high standards and strive for excellence in every aspect of their products and the gaming experience. Role Description: Collaborate with the studio head and game designers to create concept art, mock-ups, mood boards, and UI designs for upcoming games. Design and produce casino game art, logos, icons, characters, backgrounds, info pages, etc., for games, both with and without the use of AI tools. Work closely with front-end developers to deliver art assets in the required formats for implementation. Ensure proper compression and optimization of assets for various supported devices. Stay updated on thematic trends and key competitors in the gaming industry, proactively suggesting themes and improvements for upcoming games based on ongoing research. Assist game designers in visualizing their game ideas quickly. Stay up-to-date with industry-standard tools and techniques for generating game art. The Candidate Must: Hold a Bachelor's degree in art or a related field, alternatively demonstrate a proven track record in game design art. Present a portfolio of personal work displaying strong character design skills with sufficient diversity in styles, such as fantasy, realistic, cartoon, etc. Be meticulous, proactive, and possess a keen eye for detail. Provide reasonable and accurate project estimates and meet deadlines. Have proficiency in Photoshop, Illustrator, Blender, etc. Have experience creating storyboards, art guidelines, mood boards, and concept art with a quick turnaround. Demonstrate expertise in layering and delivering assets in preferred formats. Exhibit exceptional illustration, typography, layout, and composition skills. Have an excellent eye for colour theory, composition, and rendering.
Head of Game Strategy
Posted 20 days ago- Attractive
We are seeking a visionary Head of Game Strategy to spearhead the creation and execution of our game development roadmap, including the integration of existing triple AAA IP but also the creation of new and lasting IP. The ideal candidate will possess over 5 years of experience in the online gambling industry, with a proven track record of delivering world-class content. This role requires a strategic thinker with exceptional leadership skills, a deep understanding of game design, player psychology, market trends, and familiarity with blockchain technology and cryptocurrency an advantage. The company is a brand-new casino platform launched by seasoned betting and crypto operators. Initially focused on disrupting the crypto betting industry with a revolutionary platform and proprietary games, the platform has a day 2 strategy to become a mainstream leader in the gambling industry.Key Responsibilities:Strategic Planning: Develop and implement a comprehensive roadmap for proprietary online gambling games. Define and communicate the vision, goals, and strategy for game development projects. Stay abreast of industry trends, emerging technologies, and competitor activities to inform strategic decisions, with a particular focus on Web3 and crypto developments. Game Development: Oversee the entire game development lifecycle from concept to launch, ensuring high-quality and timely delivery. Collaborate with the founders, product managers, designers, developers, and other stakeholders to create innovative and engaging games. Team Leadership: Lead, mentor, and inspire a multidisciplinary team of internal and external stakeholders. You’ll be a game evangelist and strive to bring the people around you along on the journey. Foster a collaborative and creative work environment that encourages innovation and excellence. Set clear performance expectations and provide ongoing feedback and development opportunities for team members. Performance Analysis: Monitor and analyze the performance of released games, using data-driven insights to drive continuous improvement. Gather and incorporate player feedback to refine and enhance game features and mechanics. Report on key performance metrics to senior management and stakeholders. Qualifications: 5+ years of experience in the online gambling industry, with a strong track record in game development and delivery. Proven experience in creating and executing successful game development roadmaps. Strong understanding of game design principles, player psychology, and market trends. Familiarity with blockchain technology, smart contracts, NFTs, and cryptocurrency applications in gaming. Exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills. Proficiency in project management tools and methodologies. Creative thinker with a passion for gaming and innovation. Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. Join us as we revolutionize the crypto betting industry with cutting-edge technology and innovative solutions. If you are a strategic thinker with a passion for program management and a drive to lead, we would love to hear from you.
Director of Customer Services
Posted 98 days ago- Gibraltar
- Attractive
The Director of Customer Services is responsible for overseeing the Customer Service department, ensuring exceptional customer experiences and leading a team of CS professionals. This role involves developing and implementing customer service policies, resolving complex customer issues, and driving continuous improvement in customer satisfaction and service efficiency. Key Responsibilities: Leadership and Management: Lead, mentor, and manage the Customer Service and Community Management teams, fostering a positive and productive work environment Set performance goals, conduct regular performance reviews, and provide ongoing coaching and development opportunities Customer Experience: Develop and implement Customer Service policies, procedures, and standards to ensure consistent and high-quality customer interactions Monitor and analyse customer feedback, complaints, and satisfaction levels to identify areas for improvement and implement corrective actions Operational Efficiency: Oversee the day-to-day operations of the Customer Service, VIP and Community Management teams, ensuring efficient and effective handling of customer inquiries, issues, and requests Implement and manage Customer Service technologies and tools to enhance service delivery and team productivity Strategic Planning: Collaborate with Senior Management to develop and execute the Customer Service strategy aligned with the company’s goals and objectives Identify and implement best practices and innovative solutions to improve Customer Service processes and outcomes Build out a 24/7 operation across CS and Community Management Reporting and Analysis: Generate regular reports on Customer Service performance, including key metrics and trends, and present findings to senior management Use data and analytics to drive decision-making and identify opportunities for improvement Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with other departments to ensure a seamless customer experience and address any cross-functional issues Participate in cross-departmental projects and initiatives to support overall business objectives Qualifications/Skills: Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Management, or a related field (Master's degree preferred) Proven experience in a senior Customer Service role, with at least five years of management experience Demonstrated success in leading and developing high-performing Customer Service teams Strong leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to motivate and inspire others Excellent communication and problem-solving abilities Proficiency in Customer Service software and CRM systems Strategic thinking and the ability to translate vision into actionable plans Analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and make informed decisions Customer-centric mindset with a passion for delivering exceptional service Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple priorities Adaptability and a continuous improvement mindset
Art Director
Posted 107 days ago- London, United Kingdom
- Attractive & great benefits
Our client is looking to recruit an Art Director to their our in-house Design team. As part of the ongoing, structured growth of the company they are keen to add someone who is experienced, ambitious, and ready to help them meet the challenge of growing the business and maintaining their position as the leading supplier of online games and content to lotteries around the world. The role involves maintaining our production pipeline by directing game art from our internal studio, with occasional support of our external sources. You must be able to direct art and animation for games, guiding artists through technical and fundamental art issues while helping them manage their time effectively. The role will also require you have a strong understanding of workflows, and problem-solving skills in that field, to ensure the pipeline between art and development is as efficient as possible. There is an expectation for someone in this role to produce game art as well, when the need arises. The AD will also organise the Lead Artists in their sub-team to provide effective guidance to more junior staff, while providing mentorship to that sub-team. Key Responsibilities Collaborate with the Studio Art Director: Work closely with the Studio Art Director to develop and implement the artistic vision for iLottery gaming projects. Assist in establishing the visual style, design guidelines, and brand consistency. Creative Direction: Contribute to the creation of visually compelling concepts, artwork, and assets for iLottery gaming products. Ensure that the creative vision aligns with the target audience and project requirements. Design Oversight: Review and provide constructive feedback on visual assets, including illustrations, animations, UI elements, and marketing materials, to ensure high quality and adherence to the project's artistic standards. Collaboration: Collaborate closely with other cross-functional teams, such as game designers, developers, and product managers, to ensure seamless integration of the artistic vision within the overall game design and user experience. Industry Research: Stay up to date with industry trends, competitor analysis, and emerging technologies related to iGaming and iLottery gaming. Apply this knowledge to enhance the studio's creative output and maintain a competitive edge. Workflow Optimization: Identify opportunities to streamline processes and improve the efficiency of the art pipeline. Propose and implement solutions to enhance the overall quality and productivity of the creative team. Key Skills Professional Experience: Demonstrable experience (typically 2-3 years) in a similar role within the iGaming industry, with a focus on iLottery gaming products. Prior experience in a leadership or supervisory capacity is desirable. Artistic Skills: Strong artistic and design skills, with proficiency in digital art tools such as Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects etc.) 3D skills are a bonus, but not a requirement. A solid understanding of colour theory, composition, typography, and visual storytelling is essential. Technical Knowledge: Familiarity with the technical aspects of game development, including knowledge of game engines, asset optimization, and file formats. Leadership Abilities: Excellent leadership and communication skills to guide and inspire the creative team. Ability to provide constructive feedback and mentorship to foster a collaborative and innovative work environment. Creative Vision: Strong conceptual thinking and the ability to translate ideas into visually stunning designs. A keen eye for detail and a passion for creating immersive and engaging gaming experiences. Adaptability: Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment with changing priorities. Strong problem-solving skills and the capacity to handle multiple projects simultaneously. Portfolio: A portfolio showcasing a diverse range of visual design work, preferably including examples from the iGaming or gaming industry. The portfolio should demonstrate both artistic and technical proficiency.