Taking your senior leadership career to the next level in gaming

The computer gaming industry has undergone a period of significant change over the past few years. To help leaders navigate the new landscape, we held a panel discussion exploring opportunities for career progression. This article reveals the key takeaways for those looking to progress in the gaming sector. 

The last 12 months have been challenging for the gaming sector. Businesses have had to restructure their teams to prepare for a new era of distribution, interoperability and live services.  

On Wednesday, 12th March, 2025, Executive Search Partner, Dominic Warman, held a panel discussion for his network of gaming leaders. Attendees heard from a panel of successful leaders who could advise on the skills, qualities, and behaviours senior leaders need to ensure success, for themselves, their teams, products, and services. Our panel included: 

• Michael Pattison, VP Global PC/Console Publishing at LIGHTSPEED STUDIOS, formerly CEO at Team 17 Digital and SVP Platform Planning and Management at PlayStation 
• Solomon Rogers, Global Director of Innovation at Magnopus, Founder of Rewind and Chair of BAFTA Immersive Entertainment 
• Melissa Allwork, Former Senior Director eCommerce & Optimisation at PlayStation 
• Charlotte Bidgood, Co-founder of Inclusive People and Former Senior Director of Human Resources at Activision Blizzard 

Together, they discussed: 

• The current state of the UK games industry 
• The role of leadership in a changing market 
• Taking the next step in your career 

Keep reading for the key takeaways from the conversation. 

The current state of the gaming industry 

The video game industry is at a pivotal moment. Following rapid growth during the pandemic, many predicted a strong future for the sector and expanded aggressively. However, post-pandemic the market stagnated, with consumer habits shifting back towards pre-pandemic levels. Unfortunately, this resulted in widespread layoffs and restructuring.  

Now? The dominance of blockbuster titles, like Fortnite, have made it increasingly difficult for new developers to break through. Meanwhile, emerging technologies, such as virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), have yet to deliver expected returns. This has left many game companies searching for new revenue streams.

What does this mean? 

The industry is undergoing a reset, focussing on: 

• Cost efficiency for brands and consumers 
• Driving innovation 
• Broadening audiences through cloud and mobile gaming 

This “reset” has made it difficult to build a stable, long-term senior career in gaming of recent years. That's exactly why we hosted this event, to understand how senior management professionals can continue to climb the career ladder. 

“The last two years have been tough. So many people have been made redundant, others are worried - ‘Is the axe going to fall on me next?’” 

The role of leadership in the sector 

To accommodate these changes, the roles of leaders have had to adapt. It’s crucial that they can support their team in navigating layoffs, maintaining team morale and continuing to deliver exceptional outputs. 

“Change is inevitable in the industry. How you support your teams as you navigate that is crucial.” 

The skills required to be a leader in the video game industry 

To be successful in the gaming industry, professionals must have a breadth of leadership skills. Our panellists highlighted the following as being crucial to a successful career: 

• Emotional intelligence – teams feel the volatility of the market and require guidance from leaders to embrace change and remain resilient under pressure. 
• Adaptability – with the rise of hybrid-working, we have seen an increasingly diverse workforce. It's important to be adaptable to everyone’s unique needs. 
• Work-life balance – senior management should lead by example. Creating a healthy work-life balance will help teams to achieve the same. 

Advocacy for diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) 

Dominic highlighted the rapidly evolving political landscape in the USA that has seen many organisations attempt to scale back their DE&I policies. Our panel shared that “representation is incredibly important” in the global games industry, highlighting the importance for senior leaders to continue advocating for diversity and inclusion. This doesn’t only include recruitment for new hires but also retaining a diverse team from all backgrounds. 

Our speakers agreed that companies need to “build an organisation that looks like the player base that you’re selling to” and beyond. Many companies have continued to create games for the same audience, missing out on opportunities to expand to new gamers. For instance, one of our panellists highlighted the rise of ‘cozy gaming’, which has appealed more to a female audience playing games. 

How to take the next step in your career 

As we’ve established, the gaming sector can be incredibly unpredictable. Whether you’re facing redundancy or simply searching for the next step in your career, the recruitment market can be difficult for senior leaders. 

"Just start doing something. Even small projects will lead to bigger things." 

Our speakers shared the following advice for job seekers: 

• Invest in personal branding – while posting on LinkedIn can be daunting, those who invest time in the platform often find new opportunities easier. 
• Say ‘yes’ – although working for free is nobody’s ideal situation, it’s better to say ‘yes’ to a voluntary project than doing nothing. You never know where it could lead... 
• Networking – attending conventions and connecting with your peers is one of the best ways to find new roles in the entertainment industry. This can often lead to a more diverse career path moving forwards. 

Looking for support in navigating the gaming career ladder? 

A big thank you to our panellists for your time and thoughts on the role of senior leaders in the gaming sector. If you missed out and would like to join us, register your interest in future events. 

For more advice on building your career path, be sure to connect with our expert recruiters.