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Resume

Craig Wells

Director of Operations

Summary

Agile Methodology Expertise   ●   Complex Project Management   ●   Multi-Platform Development

Game Producer with 8+ years of experience developing and launching games across multiple popular mobile platforms such as iOS, Android, Facebook, and Windows.  Well-versed in leading cross-functional teams on global projects for high-profile IPs, including Lucasfilm and Marvel for Walt Disney Company. Proven success leading large-scale teams in creating comprehensive plans, content, specification, and storylines, among other aspects of game development.

Career Highlights

  • Helped Launch 30+ Updates for the award winning MOBA Vainglory
  • Designed and launched cutting-edge games for world-renowned IPs such as Marvel and Lucasfilm
  • Conceptualized strategies to synchronize multi-platform games on Android and IOS while leading a 49-member team
  • Extensive experience navigating cross-functional teams consisting of talented engineers, designers, UI/UX, and artists

Core Competencies

  • Complex Project Management
  • Mobile & Digital Development
  • Cross-Team Collaboration
  • Scrum | Agile Development
  • Full Cycle Product Development
  • Vendor & Outsourcing Budget
  • Game Design & Analytics
  • Global Multi-Platform Launch
  • Certified Scrum Master
  • Large-Scale Team Leadership
  • User Experience & Quality Assurance
  • GDD & Feature Spec Creation
  • Tactical Analysis & Execution
  • IP Partner | Licensor Relations
  • Diverse Technical Expertise
  • Financial Modeling
  • P&L Management

Professional Experience

Super Evil Megacorp  June 2016 – Present

Senior Director of Operations (03/2019 – Present)

Took on additional responsibilities including facilities management, P&L and financial forecasting, vendor contract management, and OPEX control management.

Key Contributions:

  • Reduced monthly expenditures by over $50k
  • Helped manage and coordinate an entire office move
  • Established new vendors for new office

Director of Production (11/2016 – 03/2019)

Oversee and manage the entire production pipeline for Vainglory. Manage multiple direct reports in production, QA, and localization. Established and managed release schedule for Vainglory for 2+ years. Helped manage the day to day operations of the studio in conjunction with the founders and leadership team.

Key Contributions:

  • 30+ updates on multiple platforms
  • Reduced costs in QA and localization by over 7x
  • Streamlined development operations which reduced the need for hotpatches

Live Ops Producer (06/2016 – 11/2016)

Joined the company and helped streamline development operations. Worked with content producer to consistently release updates according to the established schedule.

Key Contributions:

  • Improved Localization of IAPs on all store fronts
  • Established standard QA process and schedule for any release
  • Implemented standardized Build Verification Testing procedures with QA

Walt Disney Company – Disney Interactive         May 2011 to May 2016

Lead Producer (10/2014 to Present)

Direct teams focused on developing multi-faceted games synchronized across iOS and Android platforms. Lead 49 skilled experts on numerous projects leveraging agile methodologies using JIRA Project including burnups and burndowns on sprint in addition to exhibiting expertise in UI/UX. Implement project strategies by defining milestones and sprint plans, using pod breakdowns to develop specific features. Chair meetings to create sprint plans, retrospectives, and velocity measurements. Draft feature design and help ensure features are prioritized appropriately to support effective development. Align with IPs to define the review process. Initiate and monitor contracts with external vendors as well as handle project-based outsourcing budgets for distinct gaming aspects.

Key Contributions:

  • Headed a 50-member team consisting of talented Software Engineers, Designers, UI/UX experts, and multiple artists, motivating them to put forth their best in creativity, cooperation, and performance.
  • Choreographed and nurtured partnerships with art vendors, confirming contracts were understood, authorized, signed, and executed as well as proper submission of invoices.
  • Joined forces with an offsite Project manager to incorporate agile methodologies along with velocity-tracking reports.

Producer | Product Manager (1/2012 to 11/2014)

Piloted up to 50 team members for the multiplatform mobile game development for iOS, Android, Facebook and Windows. Lead development of pods for one milestone, overseeing UI, third-party integration, and feature creation. Cultivated in-house relationships with Central Services teams such as Localization, Disney Mobile Networks, Disney QA, Marketing, Legal, and Submissions. Ensured compliance with strict company QA guidelines in addition to on time first-party submissions. Compiled and documented GDD specifications. Supported or led creation of content, roadmap, storyline, questlines, and test plans.

Key Contributions:

  • Major player or team lead for multilayered projects involving the successful worldwide launch of games spanning iOS, Android, Windows, and Facebook.
  • Instrumental in development and launch of games for Star Wars, Alice in Wonderland, Botkin’s Hidden Cove, and Gnome Town.
  • Recognized by management for key contributions made during the creation of Star Wars: Commander in 2014
  • Facilitated the globalization of various projects, overseeing the translation of games into as many as 11 languages.

Associate Product Manager (5/2011 to 1/2012)

Spearheaded development and implementation of games, including content, design, questlines, and text. Choreographed pipeline creation and guided the Quality Assurance team from concept to launch and live operation.

Key Contributions:

  • Instrumental in the generation of $2M+ in revenue for Gnome Town by leading QA throughout development, authoring 75% of the content and assisting with creating the pipeline.

Academic Experience

Carnegie Mellon University – Entertainment Technology Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Master of Entertainment Technology – The MET is considered a professional, terminal degree conferred by the School of Computer Science and College of Fine Arts.

Graduated May 2011

University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona

Bachelor of Fine Arts, Fine Arts Studies

Graduated May 2004

Professional Memberships

Certifications | Scrum Master Certificate

Memberships | International Game Developers Association

Awards & Recognition | Anvil Award 2014 from Walt Disney Company – Forge Studio

Technical Proficiencies

Development Tools | JIRA   ●   Agile   ●   Confluence   ●   Trello

Microsoft Office | Excel   ●   Word   ●   PowerPoint   ●   Visio   ●   Project   ●   Outlook

Adobe Creative Suite | Photoshop   ●   Illustrator   ●   Premiere   ●   Encoder   ●  Acrobat