Game Design Director

Description

THE ROLE:

ProbablyMonsters Studios is a developer-led independent game company with the mission to unite, guide, and empower talented teams to create exceptional original games while thriving in stable and meaningful careers. When developers thrive, games do too. ProbablyMonsters believes that the process of developing games should be as amazing as the games themselves. That is why we obsess about providing a positive and well-resourced environment with strong compatible cultural ties for our teams. We understand that ensuring a meaningful and rewarding creative space for our Monsters translates into memorable and valuable experiences for players.

As Design Director, you will use your understanding and experience with designing single-player, narrative-driven experiences to add to the creative execution and success of the game. Reporting to the General Manager, the Design Director is a team leader who works with the Narrative Director to define gameplay and level design needs in alignment with the overall creative vision and goals for the game, and managing external discipline leads and their teams to execute those elements in close collaboration with Engineering, Animation, Art, Narrative, and Audio.

WHO YOU ARE:

• Able to establish a strong creative vision and communicate it.
• Unwavering in your desire to create a positive and inclusive work culture.
• Comfortable working in the highly iterative and ambiguous realities of the incubation environment.
• Enthusiastic about creating experiences for single-player, narrative-focused games.
• Effective at breaking down complex ideas and communicating them effectively across disciplines.
• An excellent mentor and leader; able to guide a team to improve their craft.
• Motivated and independent, unafraid to ask for help when needed, and always willing to offer help.
• Skilled at giving and receiving feedback on design goals, design mechanics, and interpersonal interactions.
• A source of empathy and compassion when managing conflict and dealing with misalignment.
• Organized and able to develop milestones through clear direction and sustainable scoping.

WHAT YOU WILL DO:

• Work closely with the General Manager and directors to ensure all design elements form a cohesive and fun experience for players based on the creative pillars and USPs of the game.
• Communicates and drafts detailed briefs for design teams (e.g.,level, systems, UX/UI) to understand the creative vision of the project.
• Oversee and direct an external design team in creating overall game mechanics, systems, and features.
• Oversee the creation of prototypes and provide feedback to refine and improve game mechanics.
• Partner closely with Engineering, Animation, and other departments and stakeholders to ensure an efficient and effective game development process and cohesive integration of their work into the game design.
• Review works in progress and drafts comprehensive feedback on game design and implementation with the team.
• Model a culture of creative collaboration, transparent communication, and respect for all members of our internal team and external partners.
• Establish and maintain best practices to optimize design outcomes.
• Create design documentation and guides for the dev team to reference.
• Work with Production to develop scheduling and resource planning to ensure timely and successful completion of the game.
• Devise and assemble conditions for the design team's success.
• Mentor and coach external team members to foster their design, technical, and professional development.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree and/or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• 10 years of experience as a Designer working in medium/large teams within the video game industry, creating high-quality games and/or experiences.
• 5 years as a Design Lead or Director on medium/large titles or teams with mentorship experience.
• Experience in multi-platform AA/AAA game development.
• Overseen design areas from initial creation through to implementation.
• Understand how to use the business model of the game, and how design and the business model work together.
• Understand the bigger picture of game development, including the impact of their decisions concerning financial and managerial outcomes.
• Broad knowledge of game design, game mechanics, game balancing concepts, designer toolsets and techniques.
• Experience leading teams to success.
• A drive to create an environment of empowerment, to lead with a team-first approach, and to develop an inclusive Design culture.
• A positive, collaborative team-centric mentality and a willingness to learn & grow.
• Experience in developing story-focused games or a passion for story-focused games is preferred.
• Preferred experience in developing games with a significantly sized co-development model.

About ProbablyMonsters™

ProbablyMonsters is a AAA independent video game company that aims to change the way games are made. We unite a diverse roster of development teams in a healthy, rewarding culture. We believe empowered creators build the most engaging games and deliver the best player experiences.

ProbablyMonsters is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable law, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

Benefits:

• We provide a rich benefits package:
• Medical Coverage - health, dental, and vision paid at 100% for the employee and dependents are subsidized by the Company.
• Healthcare spending accounts, dependent care spending accounts, life and AD&D insurance.
• 401(k) with an annual contribution by the Company.
• Paid holidays and vacation, bereavement leaves, and parental leave.

Eligibility to participate in these benefits may vary for part-time and temporary full-time employees and interns with the Company.

Compensation:

• This is a full-time, benefits-eligible, exempt (salaried) position.
• The full salary range for this position is $197,200 - $305,600 per year. The upper third of the salary range is typically reserved for existing employees who demonstrate strong performance over time. When an offer is made, many factors are considered, such as your unique experience and skills, where you live, where the work will be performed, what similar jobs pay, internal equity, and what you're looking for.
• In addition to base pay, employees in this role may be eligible for additional incentives, such as a sign-on bonus and short- and long-term incentives. Incentive compensation is not guaranteed.