Design Director

Virtuos Holdings; Kuala Lumpur; On-site; MYR 200,000 - 360,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Mobility program

Career development

Work-life balance

Job summary

Virtuos KL is seeking an experienced Design Director to elevate game design across global studios. You will mentor design teams, shape design strategies, and collaborate with production and leadership to ensure high-quality experiences. Your leadership will drive growth and foster cross-functional excellence.

You will oversee design processes, recruit and onboard designers, and guide portfolio projects from planning through delivery, with a focus on quality and team wellbeing.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in the game industry in a design-related role.
• Broad design expertise, including systems, levels, and some UI experience.
• Shipped at least two titles as a lead designer.
• Strong creative thinking and the ability to communicate ideas clearly.
• Excellent communication skills across different experience levels and cultures.
• Strong organizational skills, especially in time management.
• Proven leadership in team building and mentorship.
• Genuine interest in people development and human relations.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the day-to-day management of the Design Department in collaboration with the Asc Design Director.
• Assess and implement growth plan for the Design Department.
• Work closely with Studio leadership for team strategy and hiring.
• Work closely with the Executive Production and Studio Leadership team to pitch, plan and kick off new projects.
• Assign designers to projects based on their strengths and the project's specific requirements.
• Support producers in establishing and refining design processes.
• Guide design leads throughout projects to ensure quality and maintain a healthy working environment.
• Review client deliveries and implement improvements as needed, occasionally contributing hands-on when necessary.
• Assess project quality and design team performance, reporting regularly to the Production team.
• Evaluate individual designer performance and set personal development goals.
• Organize and promote training programs, best practices, and internal resources to support designer growth.
• Partner with HR in the recruitment and onboarding of new designers.

Skills

Design leadership

Leadership

Communication

Mentorship

UI experience

Systems design

Time management

People development

Job description

To be a part of Virtuos means to be a creator.

At Virtuos, we harness the latest technologies to make games better and more immersive than ever before. That is why we pride ourselves in constantly pushing the boundaries of possibility since our founding in 2004.

Virtuosi is a team of experts - people who have come together to share their mutual passion for making and playing games. People with the same enthusiasm for exploring new ideas and the constant drive to excel in their field. People who believe in earning success through dedication.

At Virtuos, we are at the forefront of gaming, creating exciting new experiences daily. Join us to Play, Grow and Win - together.

ABOUT THE POSITION

We are looking for an experienced Design Director to lead and elevate the quality of game design across our global studios. You will play a key role in managing and mentoring design teams, shaping project design strategies, and collaborating with production and cross-functional leaders to ensure the successful delivery of high-quality game experiences. Your leadership will directly impact the growth and development of our designers while supporting studio-wide goals and fostering strong cross-functional collaboration.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oversee the day-to-day management of the Design Department in collaboration with the Asc Design Director.
• Assess and implement growth plan for the Design Department
• Work closely with Studio leadership for team strategy and hiring
• Work closely with the Executive Production and Studio Leadership team to pitch, plan and kick off new projects.
• Assign designers to projects based on their strengths and the project's specific requirements.
• Support producers in establishing and refining design processes.
• Guide design leads throughout projects to ensure quality and maintain a healthy working environment.
• Review client deliveries and implement improvements as needed, occasionally contributing hands-on when necessary.
• Assess project quality and design team performance, reporting regularly to the Production team.
• Evaluate individual designer performance and set personal development goals.
• Organize and promote training programs, best practices, and internal resources to support designer growth.
• Partner with HR in the recruitment and onboarding of new designers.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum 10 years of experience in the game industry in a design-related role.
• Broad design expertise, including systems, levels, and some UI experience.
• Basic knowledge of art and code is a plus.
• Shipped at least two titles as a lead designer.
• Strong creative thinking and the ability to communicate ideas clearly.
• Excellent communication skills across different experience levels and cultures.
• Strong organizational skills, especially in time management.
• Proven leadership in team building and mentorship.
• Genuine interest in people development and human relations.

ABOUT US

Founded in 2004, Virtuos is one of the largest independent video game development companies. We are headquartered in Singapore with offices in Asia, Europe, and North America. Specializing in full-cycle game development and art production, we have delivered high-quality content for more than 1,500 console, PC, and mobile games. Our clients include 23 of the top 25 gaming companies worldwide.

About Our Team

Officially launched in 2022, Virtuos Kuala Lumpur (KL) is home to a multicultural team of talented and passionate game developers. Led by a team of industry veterans, we cover a wide range of technical capabilities from art to engineering at Virtuos KL. As our team continues to expand, we welcome new talent at multiple career entry points to join us and make games better, together!

WHAT WE OFFER

• A rewarding career path with long-term career potential
• Network of highly talented and driven peers
• Exposure to some of the biggest names and franchises in the industry
• Competitive salary and social benefits
• Develop your expertise in the latest platforms and technology
• Constant training and career development to enhance personal value and skills
• Career and international mobility opportunities with Virtuos Internal Mobility Program
• Awesome staff activities and company-sponsored outings
• Enjoy a healthy work-life balance environment

People matter. Diverse opinions and experiences matter. At Virtuos, our talented teams are the cornerstone of our success, and we recognize that fostering and advocating for inclusivity is at the center of what we do best - we make games better, together. Virtuos is proud to be an equal opportunity employer that embraces diversity of thought, expression, culture, and backgrounds.