Game Development Executive - South Australian Film Corporation

Established in 1972, the South Australian Film Corporation (SAFC) is South Australia’s leading screen authority and investment body, empowering world-class South Australian screen production and connecting South Australian voices, stories, artistry and identity to global audiences. A statutory authority funded by the State Government and with an independent Board, the SAFC plays a vital role in the development, growth and promotion of the state’s screen production sector across film, TV and digital games, and championing its cultural, creative and economic potential.

We’re looking for an experienced games industry professional to take on a senior, highly visible role supporting the growth and development of South Australia’s game development sector.

This is a unique opportunity to sit at the intersection of games, business and government — working with everyone from emerging independent developers and small studios through to established game companies, publishers, investors, industry organisations and senior government stakeholders.

You’ll need genuine games industry credibility, strong commercial awareness and excellent judgement. Just as importantly, you’ll need to be someone who can win the confidence of a young indie developer one day and walk into a meeting with a Studio Head, CEO or senior government representative the next.

If you understand the realities of making games, building studios and getting projects funded and shipped — and you’re excited by the opportunity to help grow an entire state-based industry — we’d love to hear from you.
  
What You’ll Do
As Game Development Executive, you’ll become a key point of connection between South Australia’s games community, government and the wider national and international industry.

Based at the SAFC’s Adelaide Studios facilities in Glenside, and reporting to the Head of Production, you’ll:

• Build strong, trusted relationships with South Australian game developers and studios of all sizes.
• Provide expert advice on the games industry to senior executives and government decision-makers.
• Manage and support game development funding, rebate and industry development programs including the SA Video Game Development (VGD) Rebate, and support agency events and activities including SAGE: SA Game Exhibition.
• Assess applications and make clear, evidence-based funding recommendations.
• Help South Australian studios identify opportunities for funding, investment, publishing, partnershipsand growth.
• Develop relationships with publishers, financiers, investors and industry partners nationally and internationally.
• Share market intelligence, industry trends and commercial opportunities with the local sector.
• Connect developers with relevant people, organisations and opportunities.
• Support and lead industry events, exhibitions, delegations, conferences, working groups and visiting industry programs.
• Contribute to initiatives supporting emerging talent and a stronger, more diverse games workforce.
• Help position South Australia as a great place to establish, grow and invest in game development.

You’ll Understand Games as a Business
We’re looking for someone who understands that making great games and building sustainable game businesses are closely connected.

You’ll understand game development production cycles, teams, budgets and commercial models, and be able to engage meaningfully with developers about the challenges of financing, developing and shipping games.

Experience working directly on a shipped game title will be highly regarded.

You might come from game development, production, studio management, publishing, business development or industry development. There isn't one perfect career path into this role — industry knowledge, credibility
and judgement matter more.

You’ll Be Comfortable with Indies and Industry Leaders
South Australia’s games industry includes everything from individual developers and emerging teams through to established studios with significant workforces and international relationships.

You need to be able to work effectively across that entire spectrum.
That means being approachable and credible with young and independent developers while having the experience, confidence and commercial understanding to earn the respect of Studio Heads, founders and senior
executives in larger, more corporate environments.

We’re looking for someone who listens, understands different perspectives and can build relationships without playing favourites.

You’ll Also Be Comfortable With Government
You do not need to come from government.

You do, however, need to be willing be able to effectively work within it.

You’ll be confident liaising with stakeholders at all levels of government and capable of explaining the opportunities, challenges and commercial realities of the games industry to people who may not live and breathe games every day.

You’ll also understand that public funding comes with accountability. You’ll need to be comfortable engaging fully with government processes, including assessment, documentation, reporting, probity, governance and evidence-based decision-making.

A big part of your value will be your ability to translate between industry and government — helping each understand the other.

What You’ll Bring
Ideally, you’ll have:

• Significant professional experience within the games industry.
• Strong knowledge of the Australian games sector and broader international market.
• An understanding of game development production, budgets and commercial models.
• Strong networks within the Australian games community.
• Excellent stakeholder and relationship management skills.
• Commercial awareness and an understanding of the realities of building and sustaining a games business.
• Confidence working with people ranging from emerging developers to CEOs and senior government stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong judgement and the ability to navigate competing priorities.
• The ability to analyse information and make clear, well-supported recommendations.
• A collaborative, inclusive and pragmatic approach.

Experience working on and shipping a commercial game title will be highly regarded.

Existing South Australian industry relationships are advantageous, although strong candidates from elsewhere in Australia who are prepared to relocate and become deeply engaged with the South Australian games community are encouraged to apply.

Where You’ll Be Based
This is a South Australian-based role. This role is chiefly based at the SAFC’s Adelaide Studios facilities in Glenside, South Australia.

You must currently live in South Australia or be willing to relocate here to take up the position.

Some interstate and potentially international travel may be required, along with occasional attendance at industry events outside normal business hours.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. Applicants must already hold appropriate Australian working rights that allow them to undertake the role.

A national police clearance will also be required prior to employment.

Why This Role Matters
This isn't simply a role administering games programs.

It’s an opportunity to help shape the environment in which South Australian game developers build careers, establish studios, find investment, develop IP and take their games to the world.

We’re looking for someone who can become a trusted bridge between industry and government: someone developers want to talk to, studio leaders respect, and decision-makers trust for informed and practical advice.

If you care about games, understand the business behind them and want to help build a stronger South Australian games industry, we’d like to hear from you.

Diversity and Flexibility Statement
The South Australian Film Corporation promotes diversity and flexible ways of working. First Nations peoples, Deaf and disabled applicants are strongly encouraged to apply. Applicants are encouraged to discuss the flexible working
arrangements for this role.