The government is advertising a job vacancy that offers esports fans the dream opportunity to have their say on the UK esports scene.
The Department for Media, Culture and Sport (DCMS) has posted a UK job advert on LinkedIn for a ‘Head of Video Games and Esports’.
Based in the Manchester area, the full-time position offers a salary range of between £52,100 and £61,100 per year.
The job description reads: “We are recruiting for a highly interesting and stretching role as Head of Video Games and Esports.
“The team works across fast-growing, innovative sectors, developing policies on important issues relating to the growth and competitiveness of the UK industry, and on the impact of games on society.
“The role will allow the successful candidate to develop different policy skills, advise officials and Ministers across the organisation, and undertake wide-ranging internal and external stakeholder engagement within the creative industries.”
The move follows calls on the government to offer stronger backing for the UK games and esports industry.
Responsibilities listed include;
- Supporting the growth of the video games and esports sectors
- Develop expert knowledge of the industry and play a leadership role with relevant organisations operating in the UK and overseas
- Shaping, enacting and responding to Ministerial priorities of the day
- Managing two direct reports, and close working with other DCMS teams such as on film and music.
Calls for government to back UK games and esports scene
Earlier this month, British games body Ukie called on the government to offer stronger backing for the UK’s games industry.
It claimed that without government investment, the UK games industry could miss out on £500m.
Nick Poole, CEO of Ukie, stated: “The UK games industry is a global success story, but we can’t take that success for granted.
“With smart reforms, we can unlock £500m in new revenue, create 6,000 skilled jobs, and supercharge the UK’s digital economy. But if we delay, we risk losing that prize to competitors overseas.”
Ukie reported that game studios in the UK are supporting over 73,000 jobs and contributing £6bn in GVA (gross value added) annually. Game studos in the UK include EA Sports in Guildford and Grand Theft Auto 6 publisher Rockstar which has offices in Edinburgh and Dundee.
The rise of esports has also gained royal attention after Prince William visited an esports youth club in Southwark in April.
He engaged with children at the Mentivity Community Centre by playing some Mario Kart and EA FC 25.
After that, he engaged with community leaders to discuss how to further develop sites like the Mentivity Community Centre.
So far, over 100 people have applied for the Head of Video Games and Esports job on LinkedIn.
An information session is being held on June 5th for more information on the role. People interested in joining the session have been asked to fill a registration form on the page of the LinkedIn advert by 3pm on June 4th.
Kieran Lynch is an esports journalist who writes about several games including EA Sports FC 25, Call of Duty, Rainbox Six Siege, and more. He previously worked as a sports journalist for MailOnline.
