IT Manager

WHO WE ARE: 
Next Level Games is a wholly owned subsidiary of Nintendo Co., Ltd. 
We’ve been passionate about video game development for 20 years now, shipping award-winning games for fans across the world and still going strong. Some of our titles include Super Mario Strikers, Mario Strikers Charged, Punch-Out!!, Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon, Metroid Prime Federation Force, Luigi’s Mansion 3, and most recently Mario Strikers™: Battle League. 
At NLG, we believe that a project finds success when we collaborate. Therefore, we place careful consideration to build an environment where everyone feels welcome and has fun in the process of achieving our shared goals. 
WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING: 
We are looking for an IT Manager to lead our IT team and support our employees in building great games. This role is about owning IT at the studio level — creating the right environment for the team to succeed, ensuring systems are reliable and secure, priorities are clear, and communication is consistent. You’ll work closely with teams across the studio, stay connected to what’s being built, and ensure IT direction and decisions are grounded in a strong understanding of the systems, tools, and infrastructure the studio depends on, both today and in the future. 
This is a leadership role focused on direction, decision-making, accountability, and follow-through, rather than hands-on individual contribution. You will work collaboratively with the IT Systems Architect to help shape and guide the company’s IT direction, applying sound technical judgment when evaluating options, tradeoffs, and risks. You will report to the Studio Director of Technology to ensure alignment with the broader studio vision. 
Please note that this is an on-site position, requiring five days per week at our Vancouver studio. 
 

• Lead and support the IT team by setting clear priorities, providing direction, and fostering a calm, accountable, and supportive environment 
• Own day to day IT operations, ensuring work is progressing, priorities are visible, and technical issues are identified and addressed early 
• Serve as the primary point of accountability for IT across the studio, partnering with stakeholders and representing IT in conversations with internal teams and external partners 
• Own and continuously improve the studio’s approach to security, risk, and operational readiness, ensuring reliable systems and effective response to incidents and outages 
• Plan ahead by understanding what teams are building, how systems are used, and how upcoming work impacts IT, balancing immediate support with sustainable, longer-term improvements 
• Maintain oversight of systems, tools, access, vendors, and budgets, guiding technical direction and ensuring solutions are fit for purpose, scalable, and well understood 
• Establish clear, consistent, and predictable practices for how IT work is planned, tracked, documented, and communicated, so teams know what to expect and when to expect it.  
• Support the growth and development of the IT team through hiring when needed, role definition, coaching, performance feedback, and clear expectations 
• Set the standard for how IT supports the studio, delivering a reliable, responsive, and professional experience 

WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR:

• An experienced IT leader with a strong technical background, comfortable owning outcomes, making informed technical decisions, and providing clarity 
• Experience working in game development, film, VFX, or similar creative production environments 
• Strong service orientation — someone who sees IT as a partner in making great games 
• A thoughtful, steady leader who brings calm under pressure and builds trust with their team and stakeholders 
• Strong technical and operational judgment around priorities and planning, with experience coordinating, scheduling, and prioritizing IT work across a team — knowing what matters now, what can wait, and when tradeoffs or course correction are needed 
• Someone who naturally thinks ahead, considering not just immediate needs but how today’s technical decisions shape future capability, reliability, and maintainability 
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate technical concepts and represent the studio confidently with partners, vendors, and internal teams 
• Experience designing, operating, and improving reliable, well-managed systems and practices, including security, risk management, and operational readiness 
• Comfortable creating structure and repeatable processes, rather than relying on ad‑hoc solutions or heroics 

WHY YOU’LL LOVE WORKING HERE:  

• Competitive annual leave and benefits, including discretionary performance bonus program, health coverage and RRSP matching  
• Support for mental health, financial well-being, legal assistance and more through our Employee Assistance Program 
• Access to our in-studio gym and extensive media library  
• Join a committee – board games, sports, or something else – it’s all here!  
• Discounted shopping for Nintendo products and merchandise at the online employee store 
• A workplace that values inclusivity and encourages continuous growth   
• A chance to be part of Nintendo, creating award winning games that make an impact  

The hiring range for this position is $125,000 to $175,000 CAD annually and is subject to change. The final base salary compensation will be based on factors such as skills, education, and experience. 
At NLG, we know the best teams are made up of players with different skills, perspectives, and experience. We're committed to creating a workspace where everyone can contribute and feel included. If you need any accommodations during the hiring process, please contact [email protected], and we will do our best to support your needs.
We wish to thank all applicants in advance; however, only those under consideration will be contacted. 
We are currently only considering applicants who already have work eligibility and are residing in or willing to relocate to Metro Vancouver.