Product Design Development Director

THE ROLE:

We are seeking a Product Design Development Director who is experienced in product design through all phases of game development. They must possess a focus and interest in exploring AI-driven storytelling and be excited to find and work with co-development teams to help them ship great interactive experiences.

WHO YOU ARE:

• A person with a broad and deep awareness of the various AI tools, technologies, methodologies, and how they might be brought to bear in creating storytelling-focused interactive experiences.
• Experienced in designing products from start to finish that have shipped and gone on to be financially successful games.
• Comfortable working in the highly iterative and ambiguous realities of an incubation environment while also driving multiple products to completion.
• Passionate about constantly ideating new products that are not only creatively exciting but financially viable.
• Equally excited to flush out the creative ramifications of a product design and delve into the business case for a proposed product.
• Enthusiastic about creating a wide range of experiences for all types of players.
• Effective at breaking down complex ideas and communicating them effectively across all disciplines to a wide array of audiences.
• An excellent mentor and leader; able to guide a team to improve their craft.
• Motivated and independent, unafraid to ask for help when needed, and always willing to offer help.
• Skilled at giving and receiving feedback on product-related issues and interpersonal interactions.
• A source of empathy and compassion when managing conflict and dealing with misalignment.
• Organized and able to develop milestone plans in collaboration with peers through clear communication and sustainable scoping.

• Collaborate closely with the General Manager, Production Director, Narrative & Franchise Director, Technical Director, and Visual Director to ensure all product design efforts align with a given product’s creative and business pillars.
• Apply your knowledge and passion for AI and storytelling by working closely with a team of like-minded peers to ideate potential product concepts and develop the strongest into products.
• Perpetually evolve the product design process and constantly generate new potential product designs.
• Assist in establishing milestone plans and goals/pillars for every product.
• Provide clear, consistent, and constructive feedback to external partners in pursuit of the product’s core pillars while maintaining milestone timelines and budgets.
• Define the product design strategy for the team’s products, collaborating closely with cross-functional or external teams to ensure alignment with the team’s vision, mission, and goals.
• Collaborate with and explore external partners, licensors, and IP holders to explore opportunities for partnerships.
• Monitor industry trends, emerging AI methods/technologies, and best practices in product design, incorporating new insights and innovations into the team’s product design processes.
• Must be effective at pitching products at all stages of incubation and development.
• Responsible for working with Business Development and Marketing where appropriate.
• An ideal person in this role will have deep experience designing products from the ground up and shepherding them through development by embracing the strengths of each external partner and helping them to mitigate their weaknesses.

• Proven experience as a Product Designer or similar role in the video game industry, with a track record of directing teams to create compelling interactive experiences.
• Strong creative vision and imagination, with the ability to generate innovative ideas and concepts that push the boundaries of interactive entertainment.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams, external partners, and stakeholders.
• Knowledge of industry-standard game development tools, software, and technologies as well as AI tools, technologies, and methodologies as they continue to evolve.
• Passion for gaming and a deep understanding of player preferences, trends, and behaviors.

ProbablyMonsters is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable law, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

Benefits:

• We provide a rich benefits package:
• Medical Coverage - health, dental, and vision paid at 100% for the employee and dependents are subsidized by the Company.
• Healthcare spending accounts, dependent care spending accounts, life and AD&D insurance.
  401(k) with an annual contribution by the Company.
• Paid holidays and vacation, bereavement leaves, and parental leave.

Eligibility to participate in these benefits may vary for part-time and temporary full-time employees and interns with the Company.

• This is a full-time, benefits-eligible, exempt (salaried) position.
• The full salary range for this position is $197,200 - $305,600 per year. The upper third of the salary range is typically reserved for existing employees who demonstrate strong performance over time. When an offer is made, many factors are considered, such as your unique experience and skills, where you live, where the work will be performed, what similar jobs pay, internal equity, and what you're looking for.
• In addition to base pay, employees in this role may be eligible for additional incentives, such as a sign-on bonus and short- and long-term incentives. Incentive compensation is not guaranteed.