Director of Esports

Director of Esports

Location: Abu Dhabi / Remote-Hybrid
Employment Type: Full-time

NIPG FZ LLC is looking for a Director of Esports to lead the overall direction, performance environment, and operational success of our esports division. This is a senior leadership role with responsibility for both the competitive and operational health of the entire esports team, working closely with the COO, GM of CS2, Director of Human Performance, team managers, coaches, players, and wider business stakeholders.

The Director of Esports will be accountable for ensuring that our esports ecosystem is structured, aligned, and performing at the highest possible level. This role combines strategic leadership, people management, operational oversight, player care, and commercial awareness, with the goal of creating the best possible environment for our teams to succeed.

Role Overview

As Director of Esports, you will own the wider esports function and be responsible for how the division operates day to day, develops over time, and delivers against its competitive ambitions. You will lead the team management function, support player experience and performance conditions, and act as the main internal point of contact for esports-related matters.

You will work across departments to align esports priorities with broader business goals, ensuring that performance, operations, communication, and planning are all working together effectively. This is a hands-on leadership position for someone who can combine structure and accountability with empathy, culture-building, and a strong understanding of elite esports environments.

Key Responsibilities

Esports Leadership & Strategy

• Lead the overall direction and operational framework of NIP’s esports division.

• Work closely with the COO, GM of CS2, and Director of Human Performance to shape esports strategy, values, and long-term goals.

• Ensure the esports division is aligned around a coherent operational philosophy across teams, regions, and functions.

• Help define the standards, processes, and culture that support high performance across the division.

• Stay informed on competitor developments, roster opportunities, tournament structures, and wider industry trends.

Team Operations

• Oversee all operational matters relating to NIP’s esports teams.

• Lead, coach, and support the team management function across the division.

• Develop and maintain best-practice standards for team operations across all titles and geographies.

• Identify and resolve execution gaps in day-to-day operations, travel, logistics, schedules, and team support.

• Ensure teams are properly supported for domestic and international competition, bootcamps, meet-ups, and major events.

• Own and manage the operational P&L for the esports division, working closely with relevant internal stakeholders.

Player Care & Performance Environment

• Champion a culture of professionalism, care, and accountability across the esports division.

• Help remove barriers that may affect player wellbeing, focus, or performance.

• Continuously improve the player experience and working environment.

• Work proactively with team managers and support staff to anticipate issues before they become problems.

• Ensure player care is embedded in how the division operates, travels, communicates, and performs.

Stakeholder Management & Communication

• Act as the main internal face of esports operations across the business.

• Communicate relevant decisions, updates, and developments to internal and external stakeholders in a clear and timely way.

• Build strong working relationships with tournament organizers, publishers, partner organizations, and other key industry stakeholders.

• Represent NIP professionally in cross-organization discussions where operational or competitive matters are involved.

• Support collaboration between esports and other departments to improve efficiency and mutual understanding.

Projects, Governance & Business Support

• Oversee and contribute to internal projects related to the esports division.

• Support legal, financial, and contractual processes where the company is exposed or responsible.

• Work with leadership to ensure esports operations are commercially and operationally sound.

• Provide input on strategic decisions affecting the division’s future structure, priorities, and resource allocation.

• Maintain awareness of market developments and evolving industry standards that may affect NIP’s esports strategy.

What We’re Looking For

• 8+ years of experience in esports, team operations, sports management, or a related leadership role.

• Proven experience managing operations for competitive teams in a high-performance environment.

• Strong leadership experience, including coaching, developing, and empowering managers or team-facing staff.

• Excellent understanding of esports operations, competition structures, player needs, and international tournament logistics.

• Strong strategic thinking combined with practical execution and problem-solving skills.

• Experience working with budgets, operational planning, and cross-functional stakeholders.

• Strong communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to represent the organization professionally.

• A proactive, structured, and calm approach in fast-paced or high-pressure situations.

• High emotional intelligence and the ability to balance care for people with accountability and performance.

• A genuine understanding of what it takes to build and sustain a world-class esports environment.

• Willingness to travel and attend major events, team meet-ups, and other key esports moments as needed.