Game Design Director

Job Description

Game Desig n Director

Firemonkeys, Electronic Arts’ leading mobile games studio, located in Melbourne, Australia is home to the preeminent Sims’ experience on mobile, The Sims FreePlay. We are always looking for creative craftspeople to collaborate with. Your skills and curiosity will help expand the Sims FreePlay world that empowers our passionate players to create Sims experiences that are unique to them. If you want to work with a team that values your voice and growth, where you can inspire our corner of the globally recognized Sims’ universe, as well experiencing everything cosmopolitan Melbourne has to offer, read on!

The Role

We are seeking a passionate and experienced Game Design Director to lead the design and development of "The Sims FreePlay." You will be responsible for driving the creative vision and ensuring the game delivers engaging and monetizable experiences that resonate with our players. Your leadership will be crucial in maintaining and enhancing the beloved features of "The Sims FreePlay" while innovating to attract new audiences.

You will report to the GM and be part of the game’s Leadership Team. Firemonkeys has a hybrid work environment, and you are required to work from the office 4 days per week. You will manage and grow a team of game designers and work closely with cross-functional teams including product managers, developers, artists, and marketers.

Key Responsibilities

• Champion the design direction, pillars, and razors for The Sims FreePlay on an ongoing basis, inspiring the team through creative design and leadership.
• Develop and communicate design strategies that align with the game's objectives and business goals.
• Oversee overall product quality, core player experience and ensure timely delivery to established quality metrics.
• Work directly with designers, producers, and discipline leads (e.g. Engineering, Art, XD, Product etc.) to establish feature quality expectations and drive design implementation
• Understand and leverage new trends driving mobile F2P player expectations and behaviours in the mass-market casual and simulation space
• Partner with product, analytics, UXR, and consumer insights to validate and understand underlying player motivations, and then drive solutions to problems and opportunities.
• Lead the game design team by providing clear expectations, mentorship, and guidance to help them grow in their careers
• Establish and uphold best practices for design methodology, F2P mobile economy design, design process, design tools, communication of designs, documentation, designer onboarding and resources
• Foster the creative culture of the team and studio in collaboration with peers in the Leadership Team

Skills and Experience

• 10+ years experience in a creative role within the gaming/entertainment industry.
• 5+ years of experience leading game teams and defining game design and creative direction.
• 5+ years of mobile and F2P experience
• Experience designing, launching, monitoring, and evolving a live service.
• Experience creating simulation and life experiences that surprise and delight players
• Experience developing games that unlock player creativity
• Experience inspiring an organization irrespective of reporting lines; a vocal champion of the work that knows when to defend the work and when feedback will make the idea stronger.
• Experience with change management and improving team operations
• Welcome feedback and criticism, and enjoy working in a collaborative, iterative, and agile process.
• Organized, and can break down complex problems into consumable pieces for others.
• Experience working with research departments to establish tests and interpret data to improve the design.

The Perks:

• Modern office conveniently located next to major transport links
• Unwind after a busy week with drinks and nibbles
• Structured Hybrid work (min 3 days in office)
• Quarterly team events for team building (e.g. Escape Room, Lawn Bowls, Paint & Sip etc.)
• 2 Development Days (Project and Personal) every 6 weeks, including Game Jam x Xmas party week in December (Total of 16 days)
• Commuting and Work from Home claimable benefits
• Yearly Global Fitness benefit
• 10 free EA games per year
• Digital Game reimbursement benefit
• Unique Firemonkeys and Sims merch
• Health insurance subsidies