Design Director shaping gameplay vision and leading the design team for 7 Days to Die. Collaborating with creative leadership and managing the design quality, systems, and player experience.
About the role
- Design Director responsible for setting gameplay design direction at Smoking Gun Interactive. Leading design teams, fostering innovation, and delivering AAA quality titles across platforms.
Responsibilities
- Develop, communicate and champion the design vision for new and existing projects ensuring a consistent, player-centered experience across all titles;
- Collaborate with Studio Management to deliver and drive a cohesive product vision;
- Work with leadership to ensure the vision is achievable within the project constraints;
- Generate and pitch new game ideas to external clients.;
- Ideas must consider innovation vs reuse, scope/budget/schedule, commercial viability and target audiences
- Represent the design perspective in studio planning, product pitches, and publisher/development partner meetings;
- Partner with Studio Head and recruiting to attract world-class design talent;
- Working with Studio Management and leads to provide feedback and ensure consistency of the product vision among all aspects of design, art, audio, narrative, UI/UX, monetization and marketing;
- Provide high-level oversight on all game design elements, including core mechanics, systems, level design, balance, and UX;
- Manage senior and lead designers, fostering professional development and ownership;
- Establish design principles and best practices that elevate gameplay, progression, narrative, and player engagement;
- Lead and participate in concepting, prototyping, and playtesting new game features and mechanics;
- Evaluate and iterate on designs based on player feedback, telemetry, and design KPIs;
- Guide major design milestones from pre-production through post-launch live service.
Requirements
- 10+ years of experience in a Design Leadership role on mobile, PC or console products
- Shipped at least three titles of AAA quality in a Design Leadership role
- Taken games all the way from initial concept to live operations
- Deep understanding of game systems, level design, progression, player psychology
- Expertise in both Premium and Freemium game mechanics, KPI’s, and monetization strategies
- Proven experience in pitching, landing and developing game ideas from conception to market
- Strong ability to drive vision and communicate it across teams of varying disciplines
- Experience managing and mentoring diverse design teams of all levels
- Proficiency in modern game engines (e.g. Unreal Engine, Unity, proprietary) and collaborative tools (e.g. Jira, Confluence)
- Strong presentation and storytelling skills; able to pitch ideas clearly to internal and external stakeholders
- Excellent critical thinking and problem-solving skills
- Ability to accept and provide direction, work well under pressure, and handle multiple tasks
- A naturally self-driven demeanor, taking initiative when needed – demonstrated ability to work independently
- Willingness to push the envelope and innovate within game parameters
- Experience with Word, Excel, Photoshop
- A positive attitude and a great team-player.
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 matching
- Training & Development
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