Senior Game Design Manager

Sony Bend Studio, renowned creator of Days Gone, Uncharted: Golden Abyss, and Syphon Filter, is seeking outstanding talent to join our passionate and creative family in crafting our next high-profile AAA title.

We are currently seeking an experienced Senior Game Design Manager to guide and support our Design team. This role calls for an individual with a blend of creative prowess, robust leadership abilities, and a dedication to talent development. As the Senior Design Manager, your primary responsibility will be to aid in the career progression of the design team, providing them with the mentorship and resources required for their continuous growth and maximum performance while supporting the Studio’s core values and goals of the project.

In addition, you will work closely with both department and studio leadership to enhance the culture within the design department and promote inter-department collaboration. By fostering a spirit of unity, cooperation, and shared creative vision, you will play a crucial role in maintaining a positive and productive work environment where innovative ideas thrive, and the overall quality of our products continually improves. This aspect of your role will require strong communication skills, an inclusive leadership style, and a deep commitment to fostering a culture of collaboration and mutual respect.

Responsibilities:

• Oversee the professional development and career progression of the Design team members.
• Monitor and manage team performance, offering regular, constructive feedback and organizing periodic performance evaluations.
• Partner with individual team members to create tailored personal and professional growth strategies, pinpointing areas for improvement and potential learning experiences.
• As the hiring manager, you will have to collaborate with HR to coordinate recruitment, onboarding, and employee retention initiatives and organizational structure for the design department.
• Cultivate a productive, positive, and creative work environment, promoting a culture of mutual respect, clear communication, and teamwork.
• Collaborate with project leads to guarantee design quality, consistency, and alignment with the project's creative vision.
• Act as a point of escalation for design-related issues, addressing and resolving conflicts and challenges in a timely and effective manner.
• Provide mentorship to team members, sharing your expertise and fostering a culture of ongoing education and improvement.
• Work closely with other leadership within the studio to foster a culture of cross-departmental collaboration and to further enhance the work environment within the design department.

Requirements:

• A Bachelor's degree in Game Design, Computer Science, or a similar field, or equivalent experience.
• A minimum of 10 years of experience in game design, including at least 5 years in a leadership or management role.
• A comprehensive understanding of the game development process and current industry trends.
• A proven track record in mentoring, coaching, and fostering game design talent development and related skill sets.
• Strong leadership and team management skills, with experience in cultivating a positive and collaborative work environment.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• The capacity to manage multiple projects concurrently and work well under pressure.
• Proficiency in various game design tools and software platforms.
• Proven proficiency in Agile Development and Methodology.

If you're passionate about creating incredible player experiences and possess the skills we're looking for, we'd love to hear from you. Please submit your resume.

#LI-DL2