Electronic Arts

The Franchise Art Director is the steward of the Apex franchise’s visual direction, responsible for defining, protecting, and advancing its long-term artistic ambition across every touchpoint, from in-game experiences to marketing and future expansion. This role sets the visual standards for Apex and ensures the franchise evolves in bold, innovative, and culturally resonant ways.

As a senior strategic leader, you will articulate a clear and compelling visual vision that inspires teams, aligns stakeholders, and elevates Apex on a global stage. You will drive cohesion across teams, products, and timelines, ensuring creative excellence at scale. Moving seamlessly from franchise pillars to art reviews and mentorship, you will empower teams to solve complex visual challenges and deliver breakthrough work.

In close partnership with Design, Production, and Creative leadership, you will champion a player-first vision that defines the future visual identity of Apex. You will guide art direction and visual strategy to achieve franchise goals while growing a passionate global community.

Based on-site in Los Angeles, CA; Madison, WI; or Vancouver, BC, you will report to the Franchise Creative Director and collaborate with Art, Design, studio, and EA publishing partners to align stakeholders, elevate our visual identity, and shape the next era of the Apex universe.

Key Responsibilities

Franchise Vision & Visual Cohesion

• Define and evolve the long-term Art Direction vision for the Apex Legends franchise.
• Establish and maintain clear artistic pillars that guide characters, environments, cosmetics, cinematics, and brand expression.
• Ensure cohesion between gameplay aesthetics and the broader Apex universe.
• Anticipate future trends and evolve the franchise’s visual identity to remain genre-leading and culturally relevant.
• Drive visual innovation while preserving the core DNA that makes Apex recognizable and iconic.
• Ensure artistic consistency across:
  • In-game content
  • Key art & marketing materials
  • Cinematics & trailers
  • Licensed products & partnerships
  • Emerging media and platform expansions
• Review and approve major visual deliverables to uphold franchise standards.
• Act as the final arbiter for visual decisions impacting brand identity.

Creative Leadership & Direction

• Provide high-level art direction across multiple product initiatives, including seasonal content, new Legends, map expansions, modes, and external media.
• Lead visual exploration and look-development for major franchise beats and long-range roadmap initiatives.
• Translate abstract creative goals into actionable direction for internal and external teams.
• Inspire, mentor, and elevate senior art leaders and multidisciplinary teams.
• Foster a culture of artistic excellence, curiosity, and bold experimentation.
• Encourage cross-team collaboration and healthy creative debate.
• Champion diversity of visual influences and global perspectives.

 Required Experience

• 10+ years of experience in game development or interactive entertainment.
• Proven experience as an Art Director (or equivalent senior creative role) on a high-profile AAA title or live service franchise.
• Demonstrated success in defining or evolving a strong visual IP.
• Experience leading large, multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong understanding of game development pipelines and production realities.
• Exceptional visual literacy across character design, environments, UI, branding, and cinematics.
• Strong world-building instincts and the ability to define cohesive artistic systems.
• Strategic thinker capable of balancing creative ambition with business goals.
• Skilled communicator who can articulate vision clearly and persuasively.
• Comfortable operating in ambiguity and shaping long-term creative direction.

Attributes We’re Looking For

• Franchise Mindset: Thinks beyond individual seasons or features; builds for years, not months.
• Cultural Awareness: Understands how visual identity intersects with player communities and global trends.
• Icon Builder: Creates characters, worlds, and moments that become instantly recognizable.
• Guardian of Tone: Knows when to push boundaries and when to protect the core DNA.
• Innovation Driver: Seeks new artistic territory while maintaining competitive clarity.

Why This Role Matters

Apex Legends is more than a game - it’s an evolving universe. The Franchise Art Director ensures that as the experience grows, its artistic identity becomes stronger, sharper, and more iconic.

This is an opportunity to shape the future of one of the industry’s most recognizable live service franchises and leave a lasting creative legacy.

• British Columbia (depending on location e.g. Vancouver vs. Victoria)
  • $187,000 - $259,400 CAD

• California (depending on location e.g. Los Angeles vs. San Francisco)
  • $210,600 - $320,000 USD

In the US, we offer a package of benefits including paid time off (3 weeks per year to start), 80 hours per year of sick time, 16 paid company holidays per year, 10 weeks paid time off to bond with baby, medical/dental/vision insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, and 401(k) to regular full-time employees. Certain roles may also be eligible for bonus and equity.