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About the role

  • Studio Creative Director driving creative vision and game concepts at Smoking Gun Interactive. Leading a high-performing team to create marketable, immersive gaming experiences in Vancouver.

Responsibilities

  • Partner with the Studio Head on product strategy;
  • Create and pitch new game concepts to the studio head and clients that are cohesive, innovative, within constraints and meet market and financial outcomes;
  • Partner closely with Production and other disciplines to balance creative ambition with scope, schedule, and resources
  • Communicate the creative vision and inspire the team to create games they can be proud of;
  • Ensure a cohesive player experience across gameplay, art style, narrative, UX, and audio;
  • Champion originality, clarity, emotional impact and audience focus in all creative decisions.
  • Foster a collaborative, respectful, and high-performing creative culture;
  • Provide clear feedback, direction, and support to help teams do their best work;
  • Review designs, prototypes, builds, art, scripts, and UX flows regularly.
  • Participate in playtests and provide actionable, player-focused feedback.
  • Contribute directly where needed (concepting, vision decks, narrative beats, high-level design guidance);
  • Collaborate with Studio Head and Studio leadership on studio strategy;
  • Maintain a consistent quality bar across all creative outputs;
  • Ensure player experience, accessibility, and usability are considered from early development through launch;
  • Identify creative risks early and guide teams toward strong solutions.

Requirements

  • 10+ years of experience in a Creative Leadership role on mobile, PC or console products;
  • 4+ years as a Creative Director with at least one game conceptualized, shipped and commercially successful;
  • Taken games all the way from initial concept to live operations and live support;
  • An ego-free approach to leadership. You know how to champion an idea while remaining receptive to feedback from the Studio Head, clients, and your production partners who manage the low-level constraints;
  • A strong pragmatic streak. You know how to shape a massive idea into a scope that fits the studio's actual capacity without losing its creative spark;
  • A deep understanding of the gaming market, current trends, player psychology, and how to design targeted experiences that stand out;
  • Masterful communication and presentation skills, with proven experience pitching and 'selling' game concepts to internal teams, business-minded clients, and studio leadership;
  • Expertise in both Premium and Freemium game mechanics, KPI’s, and monetization strategies;
  • Ability to do market research and industry analysis / SWOT;
  • Excellent critical thinking and problem-solving skills;
  • Ability to work well under pressure, short timelines and handle multiple tasks;
  • A naturally self-driven demeanor, taking initiative when needed and demonstrated ability to work independently;
  • Willingness to push the envelope and innovate within game parameters.
  • Skilled in rapid prototype independently;
  • Experience mentoring and improving staff skills is a plus.

Benefits

  • 15 days vacation leave
  • 5 paid days personal leave
  • 7 paid sick days
  • 5 paid parental leave days
  • Life Insurance & Accidental Death & Dismemberment
  • Dependent Life Insurance
  • Long Term Disability (LTD)
  • Extended Healthcare Benefit
  • Dental Care
  • RRSP/DPSP matching
  • Training & Development

Job title

Job type

Full Time

Experience level

Lead

Salary

CA$150,000 - CA$180,000 per year

Degree requirement

Bachelor's Degree

Tech skills

Spark

Location requirements

HybridVancouverCanada

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