Senior Manager, Creative Strategy and Planning, Core Games

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.

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.

Qualifications

• 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.

Benefits

• 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.