Design Director

The Molasses Flood is a CD PROJEKT game development studio located in the greater Boston area. We were founded by industry veterans in 2014, and since then have created The Flame in the Flood and Drake Hollow. We’re currently working on an ambitious and exciting new project set in The Witcher universe. We value every voice on the team, open communication and transparency, and run a studio based on mutual respect and kindness between all members and levels of the team. If this sounds like the type of team you’d like to be a part of, we encourage you to apply.

The Molasses Flood is looking for a Design Director who will be responsible for creating the vision and setting the culture for the design team. This is a leadership position, and will involve hiring and managing a team of designers, as well as working across all disciplines to ensure that our creative decisions remain faithfully grounded in the world of The Witcher, while delivering engaging, fun and immensely replayable multiplayer gameplay experiences.

The person in this role will report to the Game Director. This role is to be performed per our hybrid work model in the greater Boston area (Tues/Thurs in our office and Mon/Wed/Fri work from home), with relocation assistance available. We can be flexible in terms of relocation timing.

Responsibilities:

• Manages a team of designer leads: setting vision, mentoring folks at the leadership level, and creating an effective and collaborative environment within the design department.

• Guides and manages the delivery of the design of a compelling AAA multiplayer experience

• Presents the work of their team clearly and effectively both internally and with external stakeholders

• Sets and communicates the goals for their team in a way that balances near term needs with long term project goals

• Collaborates with other directors and shared services to coordinate development, UXR, and cross team learning.

• Creates an environment that embraces ideas and feedback from all channels, ranging from internal developer feedback to external R&D findings.

• Guides the team to excellence in design from concept through execution

• Consistently reinforces the project vision by establishing best design practices and processes

• Minimum 5 years as a Lead Designer or Design Director in the game industry, preferably on a AAA action title or multiplayer title with live ops component.

• Broad experience in the realm of game design, with specific deep domain knowledge in 3rd person action games, multiplayer, or live operations.

• Strong leadership practices and principles, honed through the management of medium to large sized design departments. Is able to apply them with empathy.

• Has shipped at least one AAA game in a leadership role

• Creativity & curiosity: is able to pull inspiration from a diverse range of experiences, and inspires their team to do the same.

• Passion for design of systems-based games that provide a breadth of player agency and affect the world in meaningful ways

• Excellent design sensibilities and an understanding of Good vs. Great and where to apply appropriate effort.

• Experience managing UXR processes & data

• Is able to travel to Europe periodically for visits to HQ

• Candidates must have a US work permit or citizenship

Nice to Haves:

• Experience with Unreal 4 or Unreal 5

• Experience with cross project collaboration, knowledge, and tech sharing

The expected salary range for this position is $180,000 - $220,000 USD. Salary offered will be based upon a number of factors, including but not limited to: skill set, years and quality of experience, and suitability for the role.

What we offer (US hires):

• 100% company paid medical, dental, and vision plans available - for employees and dependents
• 401K with matching
• Company paid long & short term disability plans, and life insurance
• Profit sharing plan
• Unlimited PTO and flexible schedule
• Environmental company paid offset of employees’ carbon footprint via Wren.co
• Positions worked in office are hybrid: M/W/F work from home & T/Th work in office, with lunch provided on the in office days
• Dog friendly office
• Many opportunities for advancement as our team grows and takes on new challenges 
• Canadian benefits would be provided via CD PROJEKT RED, Vancouver.

The Molasses Flood is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to embracing and celebrating diverse thoughts and backgrounds throughout our organization. Employment at The Molasses Flood is based on ability  – not an individual’s race, creed, color, religion, sex or gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin or ancestry, alienage or citizenship status, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, status as a victim of domestic violence or sex offenses, reproductive health decisions, or any other characteristics protected by applicable law. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.

California Candidates: TMF abides by all policies set forth in the CCPA/CPRA.  For more information, please contact HR or visit the California Privacy Protection Agency website: https://cppa.ca.gov/

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.