COMPANY DESCRIPTION

Smoking Gun Interactive, a Keywords Studio, is an industry-leading game development studio founded in 2007 by award-winning industry veterans. SGI is fearless in creating IP and boldly partners with renowned brands to develop a wide range of world-class, immersive titles and interactive experiences that resonate with strategy gamers worldwide and entertain millions of casual players every day.

IN THIS ROLE, YOU WILL:

• Develop, communicate and champion the design vision for new and existing projects ensuring a consistent, player-centered experience across all titles.
• Collaborate with Studio Management to deliver and drive a cohesive product vision.
• Work with leadership to ensure the vision is achievable within the project constraints.
• Generate and pitch new game ideas to external clients.
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• Ideas must consider innovation vs reuse, scope/budget/schedule, commercial viability and target audiences

• Represent the design perspective in studio planning, product pitches, and publisher/development partner meetings.
• Partner with Studio Head and recruiting to attract world-class design talent.
• Working with Studio Management and leads to provide feedback and ensure consistency of the product vision among all aspects of design, art, audio, narrative, UI/UX, monetization and marketing
• Provide high-level oversight on all game design elements, including core mechanics, systems, level design, balance, and UX.
• Manage senior and lead designers, fostering professional development and ownership.
• Establish design principles and best practices that elevate gameplay, progression, narrative, and player engagement.
• Lead and participate in concepting, prototyping, and playtesting new game features and mechanics.
• Evaluate and iterate on designs based on player feedback, telemetry, and design KPIs.
• Guide major design milestones from pre-production through post-launch live service

TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THIS ROLE, YOU MUST HAVE:

• 10+ years of experience in a Design Leadership role on mobile, PC or console products.
• Shipped at least three titles of AAA quality in a Design Leadership role.
• Taken games all the way from initial concept to live operations.
• Deep understanding of game systems, level design, progression, player psychology.
• Expertise in both Premium and Freemium game mechanics, KPI’s, and monetization strategies.
• Proven experience in pitching, landing and developing game ideas from conception to market
• Strong ability to drive vision and communicate it across teams of varying disciplines.
• Experience managing and mentoring diverse design teams of all levels.
• Proficiency in modern game engines (e.g. Unreal Engine, Unity, proprietary) and collaborative tools (e.g. Jira, Confluence).
• Strong presentation and storytelling skills; able to pitch ideas clearly to internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to accept and provide direction, work well under pressure, and handle multiple tasks.
• A naturally self-driven demeanor, taking initiative when needed – demonstrated ability to work independently.
• Willingness to push the envelope and innovate within game parameters.
• Experience with Word, Excel, Photoshop.
• A positive attitude and a great team-player.