Nerdy Work Issue #1: Origin Story
Get yer jobs here
Hello! Welcome to the first issue of Nerdy Work — keep this email in mint condition, it might be worth something someday.
To kick it off, I’ll quickly introduce myself, though feel free to skip ahead to all the job listings if you get bored. My name is Jordan Zakarin (here is my Twitter) and just like you, I am a geek who wants more money. I’m a journalist and editor, right now working in a freelance capacity for Observer.com. I also run a progressive political newsletter called… Progressives Everywhere. I interview political candidates, raise money for good causes, and help banish terrible politicians to the Bad Place.
Relevant to you: Before Observer I was the Features Editor at SYFY. I’ve also been on staff at The Hollywood Reporter, Yahoo, BuzzFeed, HuffPost, Inverse, and probably some other places. So if nothing else, I know what it’s like to search for and apply for a job. (Spoiler: It sucks.)
The goal of Nerdy Jobs is to connect you with interesting opportunities. For this first edition, it’s largely stuff I’ve found online over the past few days along with a handful of jobs forwarded my way by hiring managers, but I know more will come to me organically once we have liftoff. By the way, if you are hiring, taking pitches, or hear of any opportunity, email me at NerdyJobsNewsletter@gmail.com and I’ll include it in the next issue.
One more thing: I need a small logo for the newsletter. So the first job listed here at Nerdy Jobs will be coming up with a logo for the newsletter. I’m a little bit broke, but I believe all work should be compensated, so if you submit something and I go with it, I can pay you $50 and link to your portfolio in each newsletter. Email me if you’re interested!
OK, now to the jobs!
Writing and Editing and Social *Content*
Managing Editor at WEBTOON (Los Angeles, CA):
“The Content Department is looking for a Managing Editor to join WEBTOON’s LA headquarters. The Content Department is responsible for sourcing, developing and delivering the Originals program on WEBTOON.”
Editorial Assistant at Book of the Month (New York, NY):
“Book of the Month is looking to hire an Editorial Assistant to assist the editorial team on selecting and promoting the best new books to our members and media audience. If you are a smart, driven person looking to help readers discover new books they will love, then this could be the job for you.”
Gaming Content Producer at Fandom.com (Los Angeles, CA):
“At Fandom, a Gaming Content Producer plays a key role in spearheading coverage of video games, in both written and video formats.”
Writer’s Assistant at WWE (Stamford, CT):
“The Writer's Assistant will support the Creative Writing team in all aspects of the writing process.”
Content Editor at The Syndrome Mag (Seattle, WA or Remote):
“The Syndrome Mag is seeking a savvy and funny part-time editor to join its staff. You’re a natural storyteller, and you have great writing and editing skills. You believe in the power of humor to communicate ideas, empower, and inspire change. You’re a genuinely caring, energetic person who believes in gender equality and wants to make a positive impact on society.”
Seeking Pitches: I’m the Innovation Editor at Observer.com and need some good stories about cutting-edge technology and relevant tech/business. You can email me ideas at JZakarin@Observer.com!
Video Production
Embedded Producer at Twitch (New York, NY):
“Twitch seeks a candidate to drive innovation and manage the day to day production operations with our premium media partners. The Embedded Producer will manage the success of our partner’s success on Twitch by working directly with the partner’s own team to produce programming for the partner’s Twitch channel.”
Animation Checker at Walt Disney Animation (Burbank, CA):
“The Animation Checker ensures consistent and complete delivery of production material to vendor studios and controls quality to reduce post-production costs.”
Content Producer at BBC Reel (New York, NY):
“The role involves commissioning and producing original video with the goal of growing the global reach and reputation of BBC Reel on and off-platform. The ideal candidate will coordinate production from idea generation up to publication and promotion, have a flair for new and innovative digital and social video formats, and be enthusiastic about discovering upcoming and diverse video talent.”
Previs Artist at Netflix Animation (Los Angeles, CA):
“We are seeking a Previs Artist to help create the worlds of our CG animated series, features, and exciting projects in-between. The Previs Artist will work closely with the Head of Previsualization to meet the Director’s creative vision. We are seeking candidates skilled in cinematography and filmmaking to bring our stories to life.”
Quick Godzilla break…
OK back to it…
Art, Drawing, Graphic Design
2D Illustrator/Concept Artist for Comic Books at The Third Cartel (Remote):
“The Third Cartel is seeing a talented lead 2D artist illustrator to work on various comic book properties (around 30 pages per issue). Artist must feel comfortable working in collaboration with other artists and writers.”
Digital Illustrator at Warner Bros. Entertainment Group (Burbank, CA):
“This Graphic Artist will join a team of top talent creatives responsible for developing and delivering fast fashion, design kits and style guides, as well as branding, packaging and digital creative across the full portfolio of franchises and brands.”
Graphic Designer, Consumer Products at Hasbro (New York, NY)
“Hasbro’s Consumer Products Creative organization is looking to add a Graphic Designer to their team. This employee will be responsible for working with the team on creating trend-focused designs that will be applied to a variety of adjacent consumer products that compliment Hasbro’s Toy and Game business including, Apparel, Home goods and FMCG.”
Social Media, Marketing and Communications
Marketing Manager at Super 7 Toys (San Francisco, CA):
“Super7 is seeking an enthusiastic marketing professional and toy enthusiast to execute marketing needs across multiple communications platforms.”
Product and Consumer Communications Lead at Epic Games (Cary, NC):
“Epic is looking for an experienced leader to run our product and consumer communications. You’ll oversee global media relations and external communications strategies for Fortnite and our Social Platform products, including Houseparty. You’ll also lead communications for Epic’s strategic partnerships with brands across music, entertainment, sports and fashion.”
Social Media Marketing Manager at Rooster Teeth (Austin, TX):
“If you know what Rooster Teeth is, understand passionate online communities, are the kind of person who loves calendars, can write your way out of a paper bag, and likes to work in fast-paced environments, you should talk to us. We need someone who can help us oversee the planning and execution of activity across our many social media and community channels.”
Chief Marketing Officer at TCGplayer (Syracuse, NY):
“TCGplayer is a digital media platform within the collectible hobby space. In the role of CMO you will be deeply analytical with the ability to model, interpret and predict performance by leveraging sophisticated analytical tools with exceptional performance marketing capabilities (reporting, analytics, KPIs, metrics, testing, conversion, optimization, and lead generation) and the ability to operationalize all facets of these functions.”
Internet and Community
Director of Programming Operations at Twitch (San Francisco, CA):
“As Director of Programming Operations, reporting to the Head of Programming, you’ll improve Twitch’s position as the destination for Multiplayer Entertainment by overseeing a platform-wide content programming that creates symbiosis between creators, media partners, and Twitch original content.”
Expertise
Comics and Comic Art Consignment Director at Heritage Auctions (Chicago, IL):
“The successful candidate will have a thorough knowledge of Golden Age and Silver Age comic books as well as original comic art from the Golden Age to present. The consignment director will be responsible for evaluating collections both in Chicago and elsewhere in the state and the region, traveling to collectors’ homes as needed, and preparing the collections for sale.”
Game Design and Technical Skills
Illustrator at Blue Mammoth Games (Atlanta, GA):
“Our studio produces beautifully illustrated and animated games for PC, console, and mobile platforms. We are looking for an outstanding artist and illustrator to join our team and take up a wide variety of illustration responsibilities.”
Experienced Concept Artist at ProbablyMonsters (Bellevue, WA):
“ProbablyMonsters is looking for an Experienced Concept Artist to help craft the art style and visual language for a new exciting IP. Our Experienced Concept Artist is responsible for creating compelling concept art for characters, environments, props, and VFX to help our team achieve their aesthetic vision.”
Board Game Developer at Ravensburger North America (Seattle, WA):
“The Game Developer will manage inventor relationships, source promising product ideas, and develop products in time and at the quality level required for a successful commercialization”
Companies With Lots of Jobs Open
Gearbox (Dallas, TX)
EA Games (Worldwide)
Bento Box (Atlanta, LA area)
Read the Comments
I’d like this to become a community — we all have somewhat similar interests! — so every week, I’m going to ask a question at the end of this newsletter. Let’s start off simple:
What’s the best thing you’ve read and/or watched during the pandemic?
Respond in the comments, share your Twitter handle, get to know your fellow nerdy jobseekers!
That’s all for now. Remember, send me opportunities! NerdyJobsNewsletter@gmail.com
Hi! I'm Max, @mhcovill. I think the best thing I've read during the pandemic is The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin. I loved her Broken Earth trilogy, but this is a Fantasy novel with concepts that are easier to pick up. Highly Recommended. I'm on the lookout for some new opportunities, so thanks a bunch for starting this Jordan.
Hi! I'm Birdee, @BirdeeBlake and the best thing I've watched so far during the pandemic is a tie between Umbrella Academy and Carole and Tuesday.