Representation

Resources are the most tangible aspect of the gig. The other Rs are more nebulous, but no less important. The audio lead is the public face of audio and will be the most visible member of the audio team to everyone from level designers to testers to executive management.

This means representing audio at a vast array of relevant meetings, from weekly check-ins with producers and directors to audio staff meetings where tasks are delegated, needs are assessed, and roles are defined.

As such, it falls to the audio lead to instill a sense of competence and confidence that all audio tasks are being handled professionally.

This means having a head not only for compression ratios and memory footprints, but also for interoffice politics, conflict resolution, and diplomacy.

Audio leads must make sure that they serve as the channel of communication between audio and the rest of the development team, ensuring that tool, tech, and vacation requests from the sound designers find their way up the chain just as milestone dates, demo needs, and overtime requests find their way down.

Since the lead is the one talking audio with the rest of the team on a daily basis, he or she must also make sure that to pass along praise and other feedback to the sound designers who might otherwise feel as though they're creating content in a vacuum.

Responsibility

As a manager, an audio lead has special responsibilities to both team and company that have nothing to do with audio. Managers are viewed as agents of their company and as such are expected to adhere to higher standards.

This may mean taking part in HR-mandated sensitivity training as well as employee performance reviews and decisions involving bonuses, vacation approval, and career growth.

Managers are role models for their employees and their attitudes will affect team morale and performance. Careless complaints about crunch time or executive management set an example to the team just as much as pep talks and a positive attitude do.

Being responsible for everything that comes out of the speakers means no longer simply safeguarding your own reputation, but being entrusted with the reputations of your audio staff, your development team, the game title, and your company.