United Kingdom Searching For a Head of Video Games and Esports

In the United Kingdom, the Department for Culture, Media, and Sport is looking for a Head of Video Games and Esports. 

The job posting lists 11:55 pm on Sunday, June 15, as the deadline for applications. 

More on the Role

The job description reads as follows:

“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.”

There are a few responsibilities listed, headlined by this sentence: “Supporting growth of the video games and esports sectors, including implementation of measures in the Creative Industries Sector Plan, due to be published shortly.”

Additionally, the person who accepts this position will regularly engage with stakeholders across government, industry, and academia. The goal is for the United Kingdom to be a global leader in the esports market. 

The salary is listed at £52,082 - £61,084 on a fixed two-year contract. 

The UK and Esports To Date

Right now, the UK government still has the Video Games Tax Relief for Corporate Tax. This can be claimed by companies that design, produce, and test the game while spending at least 25% of their core costs in the UK or the EEA.

Esports aren’t officially recognized as a sport yet, but the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said that the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park was a global leader in esports. 

Unfortunately, the United Kingdom-based esports squad Noctem Esports shut down in March. The team played in Call of Duty and Apex Legends tournaments. 

There have been numerous tournaments held in the UK recently for titles such as League of Legends, Rocket League, Dota 2, and more. 

To go even further, the UK armed forces had an esports league.