Game Designer (Console)

Sports Interactive Ltd; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private Healthcare

Dental Plans

Gym membership

Travel Insurance

Pension scheme

On-site facilities

Job summary

Sports Interactive is seeking a talented Game Designer to work on the Football Manager franchise, focusing on FM Console and FM Touch products. The role involves creating and guiding feature designs, defining systems and interfaces, and ensuring a high‑quality, authentic football simulation experience.

The role requires collaboration with UI/UX and Narrative designers, documenting features in detailed specifications to guide engineering, and prototyping with Unity while balancing systems through

Qualifications

• Systems-driven design approach for depth and replayability.
• Autonomous ownership of features with high standards.
• Experience designing for multiple platforms with console/mobile UX awareness.
• Strong written and verbal communication across disciplines.
• Familiarity with UX principles and best practices.

Responsibilities

• Own the design of gameplay features and systems for Football Manager on console and touch platforms.
• Collaborate with UI/UX and Narrative designers on feature proposals and definitions.
• Document features and systems with detailed technical specifications for engineers.
• Present design proposals to stakeholders and incorporate feedback.
• Act as a conduit for cross‑team communication across platforms.

Skills

Systems-driven design

Autonomous

Cross-platform design

UX collaboration

Communication

Tools

Unity

Figma

Miro

Excel

Job description

Job Title

Game Designer (Console)

Team

Game Designer (FMC)

Reporting Into

Advanced Game Designer

Working Model

Hybrid – 2-3 days in studio

Location

Here East, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London, E15 2GW

Position Overview

Sports Interactive is seeking a talented Game Designer to work on the Football Manager franchise, focusing on FM Console and FM Touch products. The role involves creating and guiding feature designs, defining systems and interfaces, and ensuring a high‑quality, authentic football simulation experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the design of gameplay features and systems to deliver the highest quality Football Manager experience.
• Collaborate closely with UI/UX and Narrative designers on feature proposals and definitions.
• Document features and systems through detailed technical specifications to guide implementation by engineering teams.
• Present design proposals to key design stakeholders and incorporate feedback.
• Act as a conduit for cross‑team communication, ensuring navigation and functionality across platforms.
• Communicate progress, risks and opportunities to the Production and Design Teams.
• Propose key ideas and game improvements to help build a high‑quality feature roadmap, leveraging player feedback.
• Champion game quality through prototyping, playtesting and reviews with cross‑disciplinary teams.
• Implement content, tune data and help balance systems directly in Unity when appropriate.
• Support QA by writing detailed test plans for features.

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience – Essential

• Systems‑driven game designer with a focus on depth, replayability and simulation‑heavy topics.
• Autonomous and proactive, taking ownership of features while championing high standards.
• Experience designing for multiple platforms, understanding console and mobile UX guidelines and technical constraints.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for collaboration with UX/UI designers, software engineers, QA, artists, animators and producers.
• Familiarity with UX design principles and best practices.
• Passionate about both football and video game development.
• Strong attention to detail and a methodical approach to design.
• Good knowledge of Football Manager.
• Experience with modern game development tools and engines such as Unity.
• Proficient with Excel and/or other systems‑driven tools.

Desirable

• Proficient in using Figma and Miro to document, communicate and iterate on gameplay features and user experiences.
• Experience contributing to finished high‑quality projects in the simulation or management genre.
• Computer science, game design or other relevant educational background would be beneficial.

Benefits of Working at Sports Interactive

• Private Healthcare and Dental Plans.
• Gym membership options and on‑site fitness facilities.
• Travel Insurance for you and your family.
• Subsidised mental health, therapy and coaching sessions.
• On‑site physical and massage therapist services.
• Free access to games released under the SEGA Europe umbrella.
• Contributory Pension Scheme (up to 7% of annual salary).
• Regular events with partnered football clubs.
• On‑site evening bar and breakfast bar.
• Club and societies to join, including book club and art workshops.
• Personalised club shirt upon passing probation.
• Trophies and gift cards for milestones; cupcakes on birthday.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Sports Interactive is an equal opportunities employer. We encourage applications from all qualified candidates irrespective of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, religion or belief. SI is proudly a Disability Confident Committed employer and is dedicated to ensuring an inclusive and accessible recruitment process.