Remote Game Director

Placements24; Stellenbosch; Hybrid; ZAR 1,976,000 - 2,964,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance-based bonuses

Health, dental, vision insurance

Home office stipend and tech allowance

Flexible working hours across time-z o

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Remote Game Director to lead the creative vision for a cutting-edge project. This role operates fully remotely, guiding cross-disciplinary teams to deliver high-quality gameplay, narrative, and art direction across the project lifecycle.

You will shape gameplay systems, player progression, and overall player experience while collaborating with producers and leads to align with business objectives. A strong leadership track record in distributed environments is essential.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in game development or related field.
• Strong portfolio showing leadership on shipped titles and creative direction.
• Ability to define and execute a compelling game vision across multiple genres.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and collaboration in distributed teams.

Responsibilities

• Define and articulate the game's creative vision and direction.
• Guide design, development, and implementation of core mechanics, systems, and features.
• Collaborate with narrative designers, writers, and artists for cohesive world-building.
• Oversee art direction, sound design, and music to maintain creative integrity.
• Work with producers to manage scope, timelines, and resources.

Skills

Leadership

Game design principles

Distributed teams

Strategic thinking

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent extensive experience

Tools

Unreal Engine

Unity

Project management tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client is a forward-thinking and innovative game development studio with a commitment to a remote-first work culture. We are seeking an experienced and visionary Remote Game Director to lead the creative vision and execution of our exciting new project. Based entirely remotely, you will be responsible for defining the overall game experience, from concept and core gameplay mechanics to narrative, art style, and player progression. This senior leadership role requires a deep understanding of game design principles, a proven ability to inspire and guide multidisciplinary teams, and exceptional communication skills tailored for a distributed workforce. You will collaborate closely with producers, leads, and team members across various disciplines to ensure the game's vision is realized cohesively and to the highest quality standards. This is a unique opportunity to shape a groundbreaking game from its inception, working flexibly from anywhere, and contributing to a studio that values autonomy and creativity.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and articulate the overall creative vision and direction for the game project.
• Guide the design, development, and implementation of core gameplay mechanics, systems, and features.
• Collaborate with narrative designers, writers, and artists to ensure a cohesive and compelling story and world.
• Oversee and provide feedback on art direction, sound design, and music composition to maintain creative integrity.
• Work closely with producers to manage project scope, timelines, and resources effectively.
• Inspire, motivate, and mentor leads and team members across all disciplines in a remote setting.
• Conduct playtesting and gather feedback to iterate on game design and player experience.
• Ensure the game meets quality standards, player expectations, and business objectives.
• Act as the primary advocate for the game's creative vision throughout the development lifecycle.
• Foster a positive, collaborative, and productive remote work environment.

Requirements

• A minimum of 8 years of experience in game development, with at least 3 years in a senior design or director role on shipped titles.
• A strong portfolio demonstrating a history of successful creative leadership and impactful game design contributions.
• Proven ability to define and execute a compelling game vision across multiple genres.
• Exceptional understanding of game design principles, mechanics, systems, and player psychology.
• Outstanding leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with experience managing distributed teams.
• Proficiency with game development tools and engines (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity).
• Experience in collaborating with art, audio, engineering, and production teams.
• Ability to think strategically and make difficult creative decisions under pressure.
• Bachelor's degree in Game Design, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent extensive experience.

Benefits

• Highly competitive remote salary and performance-based bonuses.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous paid time off and flexible working hours, accommodating different time zones.
• Home office setup stipend and technology allowance.
• Opportunities for professional development and growth within a pioneering remote studio.
• Regular virtual team-building activities and social events.
• The flexibility to work from anywhere, while contributing to a cutting-edge game project.