Director of Immersive Experience Design

Placements24; Gqeberha; Hybrid; ZAR 1,800,000 - 3,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Health insurance

Dental plan

Retirement plan

Professional development budget

Conference access

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Placements24 is partnering with a Port Elizabeth-based entertainment technology firm to appoint a Director of Immersive Experience Design. The role leads strategy and oversees immersive content across VR, AR, and MR, shaping the future of storytelling and experiences.

The successful candidate will manage a multi-disciplinary team, drive end-to-end design, and collaborate with product, engineering and marketing to stay ahead of emerging technologies.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in HCI, Interaction Design, Digital Media, or equivalent.
• 10+ years in digital product design, with 5+ years in leadership for immersive tech.
• Strong portfolio of immersive experiences or interactive installations.
• Proficiency with VR/AR hardware, software, and interaction paradigms.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the strategic vision for immersive experience design across VR, AR, and MR platforms.
• Lead, mentor, and inspire a multi-disciplinary team of designers, artists, and engineers.
• Oversee end-to-end design from concept to launch and post-release iterations.
• Ensure engaging, intuitive, and emotionally resonant user experiences.
• Collaborate with product management, engineering, and marketing to align with business goals.
• Establish high-quality design standards, best practices, and innovative methodologies.
• Stay abreast of emerging technologies and competitive landscape.
• Present concepts and project updates to senior leadership.
• Manage project timelines, resources, and budgets effectively.
• Champion user-centered design throughout the organization.

Skills

Leadership

VR/AR/MR design

Strategic vision

User-centered design

Education

Master's degree or equivalent

Tools

Unity

Unreal Engine

Figma

Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a forward-thinking entertainment technology company, is seeking a visionary Director of Immersive Experience Design to lead the creation of groundbreaking interactive and virtual reality experiences. This executive role, based in Port Elizabeth, is responsible for defining the strategic vision and overseeing the design and development of immersive content across various platforms, including VR, AR, and mixed reality. You will spearhead a talented team of designers, artists, and developers, ensuring the creation of engaging, emotionally compelling, and technically sophisticated experiences. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of entertainment and storytelling in the immersive space, driving innovation from our Port Elizabeth headquarters.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the strategic vision for immersive experience design across VR, AR, and MR platforms.
• Lead, mentor, and inspire a multi-disciplinary team of designers, artists, and engineers.
• Oversee the end-to-end design process, from conceptualization and prototyping to final implementation and launch.
• Ensure the creation of highly engaging, intuitive, and emotionally resonant user experiences.
• Collaborate closely with product management, engineering, and marketing teams to align immersive experiences with business goals.
• Establish and maintain high-quality design standards, best practices, and innovative design methodologies.
• Stay abreast of emerging technologies, trends, and competitive landscape in the immersive technology sector.
• Present design concepts and project updates to senior leadership and stakeholders.
• Manage project timelines, resources, and budgets effectively.
• Champion user-centered design principles throughout the organization.

Requirements

• A Master's degree in Human-Computer Interaction, Interaction Design, Digital Media, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in digital product design, with at least 5 years in a leadership role focused on interactive or immersive technologies (VR/AR/MR).
• Demonstrated experience leading design teams and managing complex projects from concept to completion.
• A strong portfolio showcasing innovative and successful immersive experiences or interactive installations.
• Deep understanding of VR/AR hardware, software, interaction paradigms, and design challenges.
• Proficiency with relevant design and prototyping tools (e.g., Unity, Unreal Engine, Figma, Adobe Creative Suite).
• Excellent strategic thinking, leadership, communication, and presentation skills.
• Experience with user research, usability testing, and iterative design processes.
• Ability to translate complex technical capabilities into compelling user experiences.
• Passion for the future of immersive entertainment and storytelling.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive executive salary, stock options, and a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and retirement plans. Employees have access to professional development budgets and opportunities to attend leading industry conferences. The Port Elizabeth office provides a dynamic and collaborative workspace equipped with the latest immersive technology. We encourage a culture of innovation and provide resources for internal R&D projects. This role offers significant influence and the opportunity to shape a rapidly evolving industry. Relocation assistance for candidates moving to Port Elizabeth is available.