I had the pleasure of chatting with Jackie Greenberg, Senior Project Manager at Hothead Games. Jackie is a veteran of the gaming industry, having worked in various roles for over a decade. Her passion for games started early in her childhood, as she fondly recalls opening up a Commodore 64 on Christmas morning and playing Jumpman Jr. with her family.
Jackie's journey into the gaming industry began with a journalism degree, which she applied to layout and design for marketing catalogs that sold giftware and plush toys. She then transitioned into gaming when her company introduced a video game that allowed players to buy a toy and play in a game world with an electronic version of their plush animal. Jackie's curiosity led her to explore the ins and outs of game development and eventually landed her a role at a company that was making PC and Facebook games as their Social Media Community Manager. She naturally started organizing her team members, and that's when a producer noticed her skills and recommended she pursue a project management course.
As a Senior Project Manager, Jackie plays a crucial role in game development at Hothead Games. Her job involves planning and scheduling the work on games, collaborating with the Producer, designers, artists, programmers, and QA testers to develop and plan schedules based on project goals and dates. She has to determine dependencies and priorities between tasks within the team and manage issues and risks, including creating mitigation plans and driving towards resolution. Jackie spends a lot of time monitoring work progress against milestone goals to help keep the team accountable for committed dates and deadlines.
When asked about the biggest challenge she faces in her daily tasks, Jackie points to communication. Miscommunication is dangerous for project teams, and it can cause conflicts among team members and potentially delay the project. Clear and effective communication is key, and Jackie advises anyone looking to get into a role like hers to encourage it.
As for her dream project, Jackie lights up and confesses that she has always dreamed of working on a game with dinosaurs. "Doesn't matter what type of game, but there needs to be a dinosaur in it. We will make that game someday. I have faith," she says with a laugh.
When asked for advice on getting into the gaming industry, Jackie offers these three tips:
Encourage clear and effective communication.
Set clear goals for your project.
Keep your project team members motivated as best you can.
Jackie's journey into the gaming industry is a testament to the power of curiosity and the importance of learning on the job. Her passion for games is infectious, and her advice is invaluable for anyone looking to follow in her footsteps. With more women like Jackie leading the way in gaming, the industry is sure to become a more diverse and inclusive space for everyone.
Join The Team
At Hothead Games, we're committed to helping our employees grow and develop their skills and talents. We offer a variety of training and development programs to help our team members reach their full potential, and we're always looking for new ways to challenge and inspire them. Whether you're interested in advancing your career in your current role or exploring new opportunities within the company, we'll work with you to help you achieve your goals.
If you're looking for an exciting and rewarding career, Hothead Games is the perfect place to grow. With a culture built on creativity, innovation, and a love for gaming, we're confident that you'll love working here as much as we do. Apply today and join the Hothead Games family!
Hothead Games is an indie game development studio located in Vancouver, BC. specializing in Unity game development, mobile game production, and video game design for mobile, PC, and console. Have questions? Reach out to us today.