Head of Studio - CATAN

Job Summary

Reporting into the SVP, Tabletop, the Head of Studio is responsible for the effective day-to-day running of the CATAN Studio, ensuring alignment to the global strategy, goals, and mission of the Publishing group and the part your critical Studio plays in that. You will plan, shape, and implement initiatives and objectives to provide continuous improvement as well as manage financial and operational risks as you drive the CATAN business forward. 

The Head of Studio challenges the teams to imagine, create, and craft game experiences through physical game products with the CATAN brand in mind.  These products entertain, immerse, and captivate our growing customer base and this position ensures that each of these game lines has the powerful multi-media marketing campaigns behind them that will enable them to push past the industry clutter and stand out. 

This position will be accountable for creating the strategy of CATAN Studio as well as maintaining a predictable schedule of releases to support the overall strategic vision of the studio.  This position will be accountable for Studio P&L and for giving directions to Operations, Brand, and Creative to deliver on the Studio’s ambition. The Head of Studio works alongside these partners to build the road map of new CATAN products to maximize the brand’s potential.  

In addition to partnership with Asmodee teams, the Head of Studio will be an integral partner with the Tauber family and ensure alignment with the broader CATAN initiatives led by CATAN GMBH, the global licensor, and its key publishing and localization partners, including Kosmos. The Head of Studio will also serve as the main point of contact between the studio and the Distribution Units on strategic matters and budget matters while ensuring the studio has effective communication on the tactical and product levels through whatever staff is appropriate.   Additionally, regular collaboration and integration with the Publishing Services, legal, and other internal support teams is an integral part of this role.  

What will your role involve

CATAN Vision and Strategy

• Accountable for Studio P&L and the successful growth of the business with the support from the CATAN leadership team. 
• Work with leadership team on product line priorities and set overall Studio’s vision for short- and long-term success.
• Maintain IP Integrity across the Group (across entertainment & digital).
• Ensure CATAN team structure continues to meet the needs of our evolving business and priorities; adjust as needed.  
• Support the growth and reach of the CATAN brand in English-speaking markets enhancing community engagement, ensure a compelling presence at events, and drive brand expansion aligned to CATAN’s global strategy.

Strategic/Creative Planning and Decision Making

• Create new products that are fresh, innovative and target opportunities in the market.
• Work with Studio staff to build out three-year product plans and schedules for existing game lines, presenting an updated version of this plan to the SVP, Playtype Tabletop every six months.
• Work with team to ensure the schedule and staffing are viable and optimized.
• Lead risk assessment and management to ensure existing game lines stay on schedule and budget, and that new development is given the time and support to create the best commercially viable products.
• Maintain a quarterly status report on all projects to be delivered to the SVP, Playtype Tabletop.
• Lead efficient continual process improvement initiatives, utilizing direct and dotted line reports to improve all aspects of the business and increase profitability.  

P&L Ownership and Financial Analysis

• Create and/or approve all product and marketing budgets and plans at the Studio level.
• Develop, implement, maintain, and publish Studio KPIs that track project quality, delivery, and financial status to have a clear vision of the performance of the Studio (provide quarterly updates to SVP, Playtype Tabletop).
• Work with SVP, Tabletop to determine key success metrics for each product line to maximize performance.

Leadership and Team Management

• Create a CATAN culture that supports and enforces the agreed-on vision, strategy, and mission, making sure it is part of the Studio DNA.
• Develop, coach, and mentor a strong senior leadership team, empowering them to lead their teams and make the necessary decisions to achieve the ambitions of the Studio.
• Manage the development of Studio staff, ensuring growth opportunities for top performers and holding management team accountable for strong leadership values.

Partnership Across Stakeholders and Support Teams

• Challenge the marketing team to improve the effectiveness of sales to each DU.
• Ensure positive and productive relationship with outside freelancers.  
• Work with Publishing Services to challenge orders from DU’s that appear out of line.
• Other tasks assigned as necessary for the business and assigned by management.

What do you bring

Position Skills & Qualifications

• Able to thrive in a fast-paced work environment and comfortable with hard deadlines and different work styles.
• Ability to form and foster strong relationships with direct leadership teams and internal/external partners.
• Ability to navigate complex stakeholder dynamics.
• Proven track record in defining and driving brand strategy and long-term vision for a company or business unit, with the ability to translate core values into compelling narratives, positioning, and experiences that resonate with specific audiences.
• Strong desire to coach, develop, and empower people.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Able to effectively multitask while focusing on key drivers to Studio success.
• The ability to analyze data and situations to make decisions quickly.
• Able to proactively identify roadblocks and pain points, taking strong decisive steps to solve the issues, keeping the Studio on track to deliver its ambition. 
• Skilled in Microsoft Office tools (Excel, PowerPoint, Word).
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally 10-20% of the time

Education/Experience

• A BA in General Business or equivalent experience.
• A minimum of 7+ years’ experience managing people and leading teams.
• Experience successfully managing P&Ls and operating budgets for game products.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in the tabletop gaming, hobby games, or broader gaming industry

Hesitant to apply because you don’t have all the experience or qualifications listed? Let us decide! The right candidate doesn’t always match up perfectly on paper. We believe that diverse perspectives and experiences bring fresh ideas and innovation to our team. If you’re passionate about this role and believe your unique background and skills could contribute to our mission, we’d love to hear from you! 

Why join us

• 22 Days of PTO Annually 
• 12 Paid Holidays 
• Medical, Dental, Vision & Life Insurance 
• Competitive 401K Match 
• Paid Parental Leave 
• 2 Paid Volunteer Days Off 
• Flexible & Hybrid Schedules 
• Extensive Game Discounts 
• $250 Annually in Game Bucks 
• Career Growth & Development 
• Mental Health Programs 
• Virtual Healthcare Options 
• Employee Assistance Program 
• Employee Referral Program 

At asmodee, we care about the health and wellbeing of our employees. Our commitment extends beyond the workplace, offering comprehensive healthcare and 401(k) retirement plans, as well as generous paid time off and hybrid schedules to support our team members in every aspect of their lives. We understand the importance of work-life balance, which is why we are proud to provide a competitive total rewards and compensation package, with several benefits listed below. 

Actual compensation for this role is based on several factors, including but not limited to job-related skills, qualifications, experience, market conditions and specific work location. Base Salary Range: $135,000-$180,000.