Principal Narrative Designer

Sega Europe; Horsham; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading game development company in Horsham is seeking a Principal Narrative Designer to create and implement engaging dialogue and compelling narratives. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure creative alignment while mentoring your writing team. Ideal candidates will have over 7 years' experience in narrative design, including expertise in Unreal Engine. This role offers a hybrid work model and various employee benefits.

Benefits

Enhanced holiday allowance

Private medical and dental insurance

Work from Anywhere for a temporary period

Wellbeing support

Community activities including sports and more

Qualifications

• 7+ years’ experience as a narrative designer, writing and implementing dialogue.
• Knowledge of Unreal and experienced in setting up and triggering dialogue.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong work ethic and self-motivated.

Responsibilities

• Create and implement engaging dialogue and compelling characters.
• Collaborate with the development team to craft the game's narrative.
• Guide and mentor the writing team to achieve consistency.

Skills

Narrative design

Dialogue writing

Unreal Engine

Communication skills

Time management

Tools

Unreal

Job description

As a Principal Narrative Designer, you will be tasked with creating and implementing engaging dialogue and compelling characters. You will craft the game's narrative journey while collaborating with the development team and guiding narrative designers. By working closely with a multidisciplinary team, you will ensure alignment with the overall creative vision and narrative direction.

What you’ll be doing:

• Work with designers and writers to craft scenarios that deliver both quality narrative and the story beats across the game.
• Writing and implementation of in game dialogue, barks and text, using Unreal and proprietary tools.
• Help drive the definition and adoption of narrative best practices and methods used by the team.
• Work with the Narrative Architect and production, to plan, scope, and schedule writing tasks and deliverables.
• Write and edit compelling dialogue for characters, missions, and cinematics.
• Guide and mentor, the writing team to achieve consistency and quality.
• Utilise the narrative means to enhance and guide the player through their journey and experience.
• Ensure consistency of voice, tone and theme across your areas of work.
• Creating and maintaining narrative design documentation.
• Coordinate and drive the narrative across multiple disciplines.

What we are looking for:

• 7+ years’ experience as a narrative designer, writing and implementing dialogue to support the player’s journey.
• Knowledge of Unreal and experienced in setting up and triggering dialogue.
• Well‑developed written and verbal communication and documentation skills.
• Self‑motivated and pro‑active with a strong work ethic.
• Be an advocate and ambassador for the narrative and the sharing of information.
• Excellent time management and prioritisation skills.
• An excellent understanding of non‑linear narrative systems and structures.
• Strong writing and editing skills.

Most roles at Creative Assembly are hybrid; what this looks like will be discussed during the interview process. For many teams this is 3 days a week in the studio. CA has the right to change requirements based on the needs of the business.

About Creative Assembly

Creative Assembly crafts deep and detailed games that last, entertaining millions of players across the globe for decades.

We are all game makers and we care deeply about the experiences we create. We empower our teams to make significant contributions to our games, supported by skills development and growth opportunities.

We are located in Horsham, UK and Sofia, Bulgaria.

We offer many benefits to support you and your family including:

• Work from Anywhere for a temporary period each year (restrictions apply such as VISAs)
• Enhanced holiday allowance, maternity and paternity breaks, flexibility with our core hours, and no‑notice holidays
• Bespoke relocation package for you and your dependents
• Private medical and dental insurance, life insurance, permanent health insurance, critical illness cover and free health care screening
• Generous holiday allowance plus full studio closure over the Christmas and New Year period, and all Bank holidays
• Join our Diversity and Inclusion Network – an employee‑led group
• Season ticket travel loans and cycle to work scheme with free bike servicing and discounted car valet service on site
• Wellbeing support and virtual confidential counselling
• Community activities including parties, football and more.
• Our studio sites have disabled access.

We are an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, religion or belief.

Note to Recruitment Agencies: SEGA Europe Limited and our studios do not accept unsolicited candidate introductions from unauthorised third parties. For the avoidance of doubt, SEGA Europe is not liable for any fees, compensation or any other costs associated with the introduction of a candidate or recruitment services unless and until an agreement has been duly executed. Further details can found here.