Gameplay Design Director

2K; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 153,300 - 229,020; Full time

Job summary

A leading game development studio in Vancouver is looking for a passionate Gameplay Design Director. This role involves directing a gameplay team, crafting high-quality game experiences, and mentoring designers. The ideal candidate will have significant experience with sports video games and the ability to lead a sizable team effectively. Join us to help shape the future of sports gaming, driving excellence through collaboration and creativity. Competitive compensation is offered based on experience and market factors.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in designing second-to-second gameplay.
• Experience leading sizable development teams.
• Ability to mentor and manage design teams.

Responsibilities

• Act as 'Product Owner' for gameplay team in sports video game.
• Evaluate progress and game quality with Production.
• Build and grow a talented gameplay and system design team.
• Craft the design of the gameplay experience.
• Inspire and align the team on gameplay vision.
• Mentor design team, fostering a healthy culture.
• Contribute individually when possible.

Skills

Passion for Sports and Sports Video Games

Experience directing high quality game experiences

Systemic game design

Leadership of design teams (5+)

Familiarity with animation technology

Job description

Overview

Who We Are
Founded in 2023, 2K Sports Lab is the newest standalone studio at 2K looking to push game development boundaries to bring 2K's next groundbreaking sports franchise to life. We're building a world-class team at our Vancouver, BC location where our goal is to deliver an exceptional experience through bold ideas, technical excellence, and creative collaboration. We're seeking passionate and driven professionals across all areas of game development to help shape this ambitious vision. If you’re interested in tackling unique challenges and think you have what it takes to level up our team, we encourage you to apply!

What We Need

Our studio is looking for an experienced Gameplay Design Director who has a high quality bar, a passion for replicating authentic sports behaviors and experience in creating a systemic and sophisticated second-to-second gameplay. You will partner closely with Engineers, Animators, Designers, and Producers to help lay the foundation, build, and innovate upon it to create world class gameplay for what will be the next massive sports franchise in our industry. You will have the opportunity to drive the long-term vision for our sec-to-sec gameplay and partner with production and tech peers to lead a sizable team of developers to deliver against the vision.

What You’ll Do

• Be the ‘Product Owner’ for our gameplay team targeting specifically within the competitive landscape of a Sports Video Game
• Evaluate progress and game quality while partnering closely with Production to formulate and revise plans to drive execution
• Build & Grow your team with talented Gameplay Designers and System Designers
• Lead your team to ‘craft the design’ of our gameplay experience and manage design process & documentation
• Inspire and align the Studio on your vision for Gameplay in partnership with Engineers, Animators, and Artists to implement your vision
• Mentor and manage your design team, championing positive morale and a healthy team culture
• Be an ‘individual contributor’ when time allows with exemplify WGLL by being keen and able to be in engine in order to deliver the strongest possible experience

What Will Make You A Great Fit

• Passion for Sports and Sports Video Games
• Experience directing and delivering ‘product defining’ high quality ‘second-to-second’ game experiences
• Experience with, and passion for, systemic game design
• Experience leading a design team (5+) & directing a sizable development team (20+)
• Experience working with Animation Software Engineers and Animators and is familiar with animation technology (Blend techniques, Masking, Procedural Animation etc.)

Compensation & Benefits

The pay range for this position in British Columbia at the start of employment is expected to be between CAD $153,300 and CAD $229,020 per year. Actual pay offered is based on market location and may vary further depending on individualized factors for job candidates, such as job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and other objective business considerations. If hired, the company reserves the right to modify base pay (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation or benefit program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.

Equal Opportunity & Accessibility

As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to ensuring that qualified individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform their essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us if you need reasonable accommodation.

Please note that 2K Games and its studios never uses instant messaging apps or personal email accounts to contact prospective employees or conduct interviews and when emailing, only use 2K.com accounts.