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Lead Game Designer
3 years ago
We build ground-breaking games and content for some of the world’s biggest publishers including Microsoft, Sony, Apple and Sega. Sheffield is our largest studio and headquarters, situated just north-east of the city centre, where we’ve built and contributed to some of the world’s best-loved game franchises.
It’s an exciting time to be part of Sumo, winners of the Develop: Star Awards 2019 Best Studio and GI Biz 2020 Best Places to Work; big things are on the horizon and we want you to be part of our continued journey. Join us!
The role @ Sumo
We are looking for a Lead Game Designer to help establish a new AAA game franchise. This is a fantastic opportunity to make an impact and play a pivotal role in developing this franchise. Join an exciting, talented, and experienced team that is focussed on working smart.
As Lead Game Designer you are responsible for the output and development of the game design team. You will create, maintain and evangelise best practices from a game design perspective. In this role, you will be expected to champion quality across the project and collaborate with all teams in the delivery of an exciting new AAA franchise.
In your new role you will:
- Define the game vision and gameplay experience in collaboration with the Design Director.
- Help to manage the output and development of a team of game designers.
- Be responsible for the line management of the design team, running regular one to ones, design team meetings and performance reviews.
- Supervise the creation and maintenance of detailed game system documentation.
- Oversee the creation and implementation of innovative game systems.
- Define and allocate tasks to the design team.
- Review, tweak and balance gameplay to deliver a AAA quality experience.
- Troubleshoot design issues from a technical and creative standpoint.
To be successful you will:
- Have 5 plus years’ experience, and 2 or more shipped titles on consoles and/or PC.
- Have game design experience at senior level or above. Ideally experienced with sports and action/adventure genres and/or content that appeals to adults and children alike.
- Be able to breakdown high-level design goals into individual components.
- Be creative, with an ambitious mind and confidence to explore new concepts.
- Have a proven ability to present ideas to a wide variety of audiences, both technical and non-technical in a succinct manner.
- An excellent understanding of past and current game trends; particularly in the sports and action/adventure genres.
- Have a passion for working cross discipline and be a dedicated team player.
- Have excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Be self-motivated, able to multitask and understand priorities whilst working under limited supervision.
- Have inspirational leadership skills.
- Have a positive, ethical and uplifting attitude with an open mind.
What We Offer:
· Annual Bonus
· Share Incentive Plan
· Competitive Pension
· Flexible Working
· 27 Days Holiday, including your birthday. a duvet day and Christmas
· 5 Learning Days
· Access to 4,000 Udemy Courses
· Game & Book Libraries
· Wrap Parties
· Alternative Travel Prize Draw
· The Sumo GameJam
· Big Family Events
· Studio clubs, inc. running, board games, film…
· Life Drawing
· Yoga Classes
· Free fruit and drinks
· Employee Referral Bonus
· Career Development
· Competitive Mat/Paternity & Adoption
· Employee Assistance Programme
· Life Assurance 4x Salary
· Income Protection of 75%
· Relocation Support to the UK
· Visa Sponsorship
Where do we stand on diversity?
At Sumo Digital, we know that diversity and inclusivity will make our teams (and the amazing work that they do) better! We encourage and welcome ALL applications.
More About The Sumo Sheffield Studio:
Our environment is relaxed, friendly and built upon the basis of every team member having the opportunity to shine and have a realisable input into the games we create. We are a very happy ship with lots of incredibly nice people that partake in shared interest groups, lunchtime clubs, charity fundraising events and lots of socialising.
We are proud to be located in Sheffield, just off J34 of the M1 offering easy road and rail access from Leeds, Manchester and the Midlands. Sheffield itself enjoys wealth of facilities including world class sporting facilities, stunning theatres and galleries, the National Video Game Museum, shopping, restaurants and incredible parks and green spaces - all on the doorstep of the beautiful Peak District National Park. We love it here.
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