Head of Design

1 Month ago • 4-8 Years • Game Design

Job Summary

Job Description

The Head of Design at Limbic Entertainment is a visionary leader responsible for defining and refining the design strategy across the game portfolio. This role oversees all aspects of design, from Game Design and Level Design to UX and Creative Direction, ensuring alignment with company goals. Responsibilities include strategic leadership, team management (including Creative, UX, and Level Design Directors), design execution and quality control, cross-departmental collaboration, project management, and risk mitigation. The ideal candidate possesses extensive experience in senior design leadership roles within AAA game development, expertise in various design disciplines, and strong leadership and communication skills.
Must have:
  • Senior design leadership experience (AAA games)
  • Expertise in game design principles & systems
  • Strong leadership & team management skills
  • Exceptional communication & presentation skills
  • Understanding of industry trends & player behavior
Good to have:
  • Experience with agile methodologies
  • Proficiency in project management tools
Perks:
  • Varied responsibilities
  • Independent work in a supportive team
  • Fast decision-making processes
  • Professional working environment
  • Flat hierarchies
  • Individual development opportunities
  • Relocation support
  • Hybrid work (up to two home office days)
  • Free parking or public transportation
  • Flexible Fridays

Job Details

Hey, gamers! Are you ready for your next adventure in the industry? Look no further!
Who are we, you ask? 
Limbic Entertainment GmbH, founded in 2002, is a leading German development studio dedicated to creating high-quality video games on multiple platforms for global audiences. Limbic Entertainment focuses on strategy, roleplaying and simulation management games for PC and consoles, utilizing the latest technology such as Unreal® 5. With a diverse team of over 110 developers from more than 20 nationalities, Limbic Entertainment GmbH has launched over 80 product versions globally, including key titles like Park Beyond (2023), Tropico 6 (2019), and Might & Magic X: Legacy (2013).  Since October 2022, Bandai Namco Europe S.A.S. holds a majority share in Limbic Entertainment GmbH. For more information, please visit: https://www.limbic-entertainment.com.

Overview
The Head of Design is a visionary leader responsible for defining and refining the design strategy of our game portfolio. This role oversees, reviews and assesses all aspects of design, including Game Design, Level Design, UX Design and Creative Direction, ensuring alignment with the company’s long-term creative and business goals. The Head of Design leads a multidisciplinary team of designers, collaborates closely with other department heads, and drives the development of innovative, engaging, and commercially successful games that resonate with global audiences.
What will a day in your life in this role look like? We are glad you asked!
Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Vision
  • Define and articulate the overarching design vision, philosophy, and creative strategy for the games.
  • Drive the conceptualization of ground-breaking gameplay, systems, universes, and experiences that align with the studio’s brand and audience expectations.
  • Collaborate with C-level executives and department heads to align design strategy with the studio's broader business goals, including market positioning, audience targeting, and competitive differentiation.
  • Establish and maintain a culture of creativity, innovation, and design excellence across all game projects.
 
Team Leadership & Management
  • Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing design team, fostering professional growth and ensuring best practices in design are implemented.
  • Provide clear direction and leadership to Creative Directors, UX Director and Level Design Director across multiple projects.
  • Oversee the allocation of design resources across projects, in collaboration with Production & Directors, ensuring efficient and effective use of talent and skills.
  • Lead recruitment efforts to attract top-tier design talent to the studio.
Design Execution & Quality Control
  • Oversee the development of detailed design documentation, including gameplay systems, level design, narrative structures, and UX/UI elements.
  • Ensure all game concepts are fully fleshed out, technically feasible, and aligned with the studio’s creative vision and production constraints.
  • Conduct regular design reviews and provide high-level feedback to ensure quality, consistency, and innovation in game mechanics, systems, and user experiences.
  • Ensure the balance, pacing, and progression of gameplay meet quality standards and engage players effectively across different skill levels and playstyles.
Collaboration & Cross-Departmental Alignment
  • Work closely with the Technical Development team to validate the technical feasibility of game designs and resolve implementation challenges.
  • Collaborate with other department heads to ensure seamless integration of design and storytelling.
  • Act as the primary liaison between the design department and other internal and external stakeholders, ensuring clear communication and alignment of expectations.
Project Management & Risk Mitigation
  • Review and assess project schedules, design milestones, and deliverables, ensuring timely completion within budget constraints.
  • Identify potential risks and bottlenecks in the design process and propose proactive solutions to core teams to mitigate them.
  • Approve major design changes and iterations based on player feedback, user testing, and market research, ensuring updates and expansions enhance player engagement and retention.
We would love it if you have these skills:
  • Proven experience in a senior design leadership role, such as Lead Game Designer, Creative Director, Game Director or similar, with a track record of successfully shipping AA, AAA or high-profile games.
  • Expertise in game design principles, systems design, level design, player progression, UX, and monetization strategies.
  • Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate a diverse team of designers.
  • Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with experience influencing key stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
  • Deep understanding of industry trends, player behavior, and emerging technologies that can shape the future of games.
  • Experience with agile development methodologies and proficiency in project management tools and practices.
  • Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Game Design, Computer Science, Interactive Media, or a related field (preferred but not mandatory).
Additional Information
Perks/Benefits:
  • A varied field of activity with personal responsibility
  • Independent work in a familiar team atmosphere with fast decision-making processes
  • A professional working environment 
  • Flat hierarchies and a friendly and uncomplicated work-atmosphere
  • Individual development and training opportunities
  • Support with relocating
  • Hybrid work opportunities: Up to two home office days per week
  • Free parking or public transportation ticket
  • Flexible Fridays. If you have completed your requirements for the week, you can choose to work less or even take the day off! You read that right!! We trust our team to manage their time effectively and know when they need to take a break.
About us

We're Limbic Entertainment, a German video game developer and software seller since 2002. We make games because we love games! With over 80 product versions under our belt, we have a particular focus on strategy - online and survival/FPS games for PC and consoles. Have you heard of Tropico, Memories of Mars, and Might & Magic X Legacy? If not, you're in for a treat! These games are our babies, and they're fantastic. From the tropical paradise of Tropico to the harsh Martian landscape of Memories of Mars, and the epic world of Might & Magic X Legacy, we've got you covered with top-notch gaming experiences!

What sets us apart from the rest is our culture. No corporate gibberish or old-fashioned hierarchy here! We do things differently, which means keeping everything simple. You'll be your own boss but with plenty of support from your colleagues and supervisors. So, buckle up and get ready to dive into some seriously awesome gameplay! 


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About The Company

We're Limbic Entertainment, a German video game developer and software seller since 2002, developing high-quality entertainment software for national and international markets. We make games because we love games! With over 80 product versions under our belt, we have a particular focus on strategy - online and survival/FPS games for PC and consoles. Have you heard of Tropico, Memories of Mars, and Might & Magic X Legacy? If not, you're in for a treat! These games are our babies, and they're fantastic. From the tropical paradise of Tropico to the harsh Martian landscape of Memories of Mars, and the epic world of Might & Magic X Legacy, we've got you covered with top-notch gaming experiences!

Our core competences are game design and programming; we focus on PC and next-generation console games made with Unreal 4.

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