Director, Game Design

Walt Disney Games is looking for a uniquely talented Director, Game Design to join us on an ambitious and exciting new project. If you are an imaginative creator with superb game direction skills, and have a love of Disney/Pixar, Star Wars and Marvel properties, you’ll want to check out this opportunity! We are building an experienced leadership team that will set the direction for a groundbreaking game experience that will herald the next generation of Disney to the world. Working with top-class industry talent, this role is perfect for the seasoned visionary leader looking to create something epic - guiding and collaborating with a robust group of developers focusing on individual experiences to create a wonderfully rich and cohesive product that is truly “Disney”.

In this role, you will…

• Define, drive, and oversee the game design direction for several interactive games and experiences based on Disney’s robust portfolio of characters and worlds including Disney/Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars.

• Serve as a key member of a core project leadership team at Disney, providing crucial direction and steering the development across multiple groups.

• Engage with internal and external partners, including other design and development leaders, to create high-quality gameplay, systems, and player interaction across the entire experience.

• Rally a diverse set of talented teams to achieve their best, while having lots of fun along the way!

• Review all game design assets and functional implementations, including design pillars & documentation, gameplay systems, itemization, progression, the “3Cs”, balance, storytelling, multiplayer elements, level designs, monetization, live operations plans, etc., ensuring that they meet our brand and quality standards and serve the overall project.

• Champion the design vision for the project within Disney, working with various internal partners to bring our content to life within the game experience.

You’d be great for this role because you…

• Possess a broad and deep understanding of the art and science of high-quality game development, including familiarity with various methodologies, prototyping approaches, tools, and how to work with the different design disciplines to iteratively build engaging content.

• Excel at partnering and collaborating with key stakeholders, working through challenging problems and reaching consensus to achieve great things.

• Led the creation and release of a successful AAA game in a Game Direction role and have familiarity with game directing products on various gaming platforms – Console/PC and Mobile.

• Demonstrate exceptional game design knowledge and judgment; experience guiding a compelling design vision to reality.

• Have a special appreciation of our IP, including characters and lore, linear media and movie franchises, theme parks design, and overall aesthetics.

• Inspire passion and creativity in others with motivational and supportive leadership.

• Enjoy creative problem-solving and building something new and innovative.

• Understand how to work with 3d game engines, editors, and other toolsets to bring a game vision to life.

• Provide clear and concise direction, feedback, and guidance.

• Present ideas with clarity and conviction leveraging crisp examples that are compelling and understandable.

• Value building an inclusive and positive team culture.

• Balance the needs of gameplay designs with performance, visual targets, schedule and various audience requirements.

• Know how to push past perceived boundaries and limitations while never losing sight of the big picture and ultimate goal.

During your game development career, the key requirements you have achieved include…

• A Bachelor’s degree in Game Design or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Minimum of 7 - 10 years of game development experience, including holding a position of Game Director for at least 2 years.

• 10 years of experience specifically in product development/production of console/mobile/PC games or other digital interactive entertainment.

• 5 years of experience managing teams.

The hiring range for this position in Glendale, California is $197,700 to $241,500 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.