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Manager, Game Design

Get to know The Pokémon Company International

The Pokémon Company International, a subsidiary of The Pokémon Company in Japan, manages the property outside of Asia and is responsible for brand management, licensing, marketing, the Pokémon Trading Card Game, the animated TV series, home entertainment, and the official Pokémon website. Pokémon was launched in Japan in 1996 and today is one of the most popular children's entertainment properties in the world.

Learn more online at Pokemon.com and on Facebook (facebook.com/pokemon), YouTube (youtube.com/pokemon), Twitter (twitter.com/pokemon), and Instagram (instagram.com/pokemon).

Get to know the role

Job Title: Manager, Game Design

The Manager, Game Design will be responsible for the oversight and leadership of the Studio design personnel and production for The Pokémon Company International (TPCi) game products. The Manager, Game Design’s primary responsibility will be to lead the Studio’s strategic design developments, establish design processes while managing, mentoring, and scaling a team of passionate designers. This will involve providing leadership and influence decision making around various game designs in close collaboration with development, product management and business leadership. The Manager, Game Design will also assist the Sr. Manager, Art & Creative in making sure the project’s design work, documentation, and implementation are clearly and accurately defined and delivered. This role will work with all teams to make sure that quality and timeliness are embedded in the team.

FLSA Classification (US Only): Exempt

People Manager: Yes

What you’ll do

• Collaborate with the Sr. Manager, Art & Creative, product owners, and additional stakeholders to define clear strategies, objectives and design direction.
• Drive and maintain visibility over high-level designs and broadcast “the big picture” vison to the design team and cross-function partners.
• Review and provide feedback of team work to ensure quality, technical specifications, best practices, clear systems, and engaging gameplay.
• Serve as mentor, leader, and manager for a growing team of designers; present a solid example as to leadership and performance within the company.
• Grow and cultivate career tracks; conduct one-on-one coaching, perform annual reviews, administer hiring and compensation allotment.
• Coordinate and work with multidisciplinary managers such as UX/UI manager, Art manager and production teams to plan, prioritize, estimate, and task design efforts.
• Influence senior leadership to help achieve both short and long-term goals and ensure product alignment.

What you’ll bring

Required

• 7+ years of professional experience as a Game Designer, Sr. Game Designer, or Lead Game Designer, plus 1-3 years of management experience.
• Shipped at least one Mobile ‘Games as a Service’ (GaaS) and/or AAA (Triple A) title with a live operations release schedule.
• Proven track record in leading and mentoring design teams of various sizes.
• Demonstrable expertise in communicating game industry standards like core loops, FTUE’s (First-Time User Experience), narrative gameplay, with a solid foundation in game systems and economies.
• A mastery of communicating game design through flowcharts, wireframes, concise documentation, defined core loops, mockups, and even through the sheer power of your charismatic storytelling.

Desired

• 3+ years’ experience using Unity 3D engine (or comparable) using prototype and level design production tools.
• Experience developing on multiple platforms such as PC and Console.
• Proficiency using industry Project Management and Design tools such as JIRA, Confluence, Miro, Perforce, Adobe Creative Suite (XD), etc.
• Experience operating within an Agile development environment, preferably SCRUM.

How you’ll be successful

• Passion for Pokémon: Develops an understanding of the Pokémon brand, the impact it has on our people, culture, business, fans, and communities, and applying that knowledge and passion to everything you do.
• Challenging the Expected: Approaches challenges with curiosity and creativity, embracing the possibility of failure as an opportunity to learn something new, develop innovative ideas, solve complex problems and identify unique opportunities.
• Integrity and Respect: Demonstrates integrity and respect by leading with empathy, listening to others, seeking out different perspectives, and taking personal responsibility for decisions, actions, and results.
• Dedicated to Quality: Takes ownership to maintain and promote high standards, looks for new ways to learn and improve, and embraces a growth mindset to seek and apply feedback from others in an effort to continuously improve.
• Building Relationships: Develops and strengthens relationships, adopting a “team first” mentality and working collaboratively to solve problems and meet shared goals.
• Delighting Customers: Listens and understands the interests and needs of our customers and stakeholders, making them feel heard and important, and embracing these learnings to continue delivering a unique Pokémon experience.

What to expect

• An employee first culture
• Company events that celebrate the spirit of Pokémon
• Competitive cash-based compensation programs
• 100% employer-paid healthcare premiums for you
• Generous paid family leave
• Employer-paid life insurance
• Employer-paid long and short-term income protection insurance
• Fitness reimbursement
• Commuter benefit
• LinkedIn learning
• Comprehensive relocation package
• Hybrid work environment

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this role. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Employees may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed. For roles in the United Kingdom, candidates will need the right to work. In some cases, and for some roles, the Company may be able to arrange a visa. For roles in Ireland, this role requires candidates to have the right to live and work in the Republic of Ireland. However, we welcome applications from all nationalities and may consider supporting an employment permit application, in appropriate and suitable cases.

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