Associate Design Director - Electric Square, UK

At Electric Square, we understand that the worlds we build are pivotal to the success of our games and the enjoyment of our players. With our diverse portfolio, which includes acclaimed titles like 'Diablo 4', 'Lords of the Fallen', ‘Assassin’s Creed VR’ and several other exciting AAA console games currently in progress (and even more surprises on the horizon!), we strive to deliver unforgettable gaming experiences.

Working in collaboration with four innovative studios, our team of 350+ talented individuals are dedicated to creating world-class projects. We foster a unique studio culture that empowers and inspires our teams, ensuring that everyone feels motivated to bring their best ideas to life.

We can offer you an award-winning working environment. At Electric Square, we don't just accept difference — we celebrate it, we support it, and we thrive on it for the benefit of our employees, our products, and our community. Electric Square is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace.

An Associate Design Director at Electric Square:

Industry:

• Has a broad and deep knowledge of all aspects of design, specialising in those most closely related to the games / genres in development in the studio.
• Has a deep and detailed knowledge of commercial successes and failures in the industry.
• Has a thorough understanding of player behaviours, motivations, and profiles.

Teams and Projects:

• Implements the studio design strategy and champions the highest quality of design across the studio.
• Is a big advocate of plussing ideas and constructive feedback.
• Can decide on the priority of tasks and features on any given project.
• Can effectively manage the time of any team or department, and ensure all work is delivered to time and quality.

Staff Management:

• Supports with work experience and University outreach initiatives.
• Can draft job specs.
• Can conduct an interview process and provide actionable feedback.
• Supports the Design Director in evaluating candidates and evaluations.
• Supports the Design Director with overall managing of the design department.
• Supports with annual appraisals for the whole design department.
• Identifies and implements training and mentoring opportunities.
• With support from their lead can effectively map out and track career progression for members of the design department.
• Can performance manage underperforming staff by clearly defining shortcomings, expectations, and timelines to address.

Comms:

• Is an expert written communicator across projects, pitches, RFPs, and studio/group wide documentation.
• Is an expert verbal communicator and can talk convincingly and passionately to clients and external stakeholders.
• Manages client expectations, and can make a compelling argument to go against client desires or wishes.

Biz Dev:

• Supports the Studio Directors with business development and corporate strategy.
• Involved with and actively contributes in client calls.
• Involved in assessing RFP requirements.
• Can complete a design section in a response.
• Involved in the design section of a staff plan.

What we'd love to see from you:

• Five shipped titles, with a minimum two as lead.
• Extensive console character action experience.
• At least eight years working in the games industry.
• AAA experience is a requirement.
• Experience on console/PC platforms required.
• Experience working in a co-dev environment desirable.
• Experience working in Unreal Engine 5 required.

Keywords Studios is dedicated to following a well-established Equal Opportunities Policy. We endeavour to create a workplace which provides for equal opportunities for all employees and potential employees.

PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION POLICY

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When you join Electric Square, you can expect to enjoy a unique culture. Whether its participating and relaxing with one of our wellness benefits or discussing the latest games over lunch cooked one of Brighton's incredible pop-up diners. The Studio knows that it’s the best people that make the best games and this is what Electric Square invests in. Below you will find all the benefits and perks you can enjoy as an Electric Square team member.

• Holidays - 25 days’ annual leave entitlement, including studio closure over the Christmas period plus all UK bank holidays
• Bonus Anniversary Holidays - An additional day of annual leave for each year’s anniversary working at Electric Square, up to a maximum of 30 days of annual leave entitlement.
• Generous Team Project Bonuses (usually paid when product ships/launches)
• Company Pension Scheme – Employer contribution matching award winning pension scheme provided by NEST under the UK governments automatic enrolment scheme.
• Private Medical Insurance Scheme – Full private medical cover provided by BUPA Healthcare.
• Group Income Protection
• Health and Well-being Allowance – £50 per month to spend on your choice of a range of healthy activities, ranging from going to the gym, rock climbing, yoga and a lovely massage. It's on us!
• Group Life Insurance
• Private Dental Insurance Scheme – Full private dental cover provided by Bupa.
• Volunteer Time Off ‘Electric Square in the Community’ – Spend one day per year on full-pay volunteering for the non-profit organisation of your choice.
• Tech Scheme - Over 5,000 products available from to buy over 12 or 24-month payment terms, saving up to 12% on National Insurance.
• Cycle to Work Scheme – Salary sacrifice cycle purchase scheme with tax savings through Cycle Scheme.
• Free Fresh Home Cooked Electric Square Monthly Friday Lunch – Monthly Friday lunches bought to us by one of many amazing local pop-up diners – all local and organic meat and vegan recipes. A wonderful way to catch up with everyone on a Friday over a beer or a bottle of Kombucha!
• Eye-care Vouchers – Free eye tests.
• Train Travel Season Ticket Loan – Interest-free company loan to spread the cost of an annual season ticket.
• Free Awesome Swag – Sleek Electric Square T-shirts and merch, with the iconic Electra symbol emblazoned on the front. New ranges are out every season.

• Extensive Video Game & Book Library – Borrow a game, a book or even a whole console.
• Free locally roasted Coffee & Speciality Teas
• Free Cereal Bar – Extensive granola, muesli and breakfast cereal selections.

• Exclusive anniversary presents – After your first and third year as an Electron.
• Fresh Fruit & Healthy Snacks – Provided every day, with a suggestion board for new treats.
• Pastries, Cakes & Doughnuts – For the odd naughty pleasure.
• Soft Drinks Fridge – A large range of free chilled soft drinks.
• Electra's Beer & Wine Fridge – Free beers, ales and wine and even the odd gin and tonic. Grab a beer at our end of week Show and Tell sessions and see what everybody else in the company has been up to.
• In-house Social Clubs – There are lots of ways to socialise with your colleagues here! From day one, you’re invited to join in clubs for D&D fans, board games, bouldering, drawing nights, yoga, cooking club – the list goes on, and there is always space open for new members!
• Dogs with Jobs - Electric Square is a dog-friendly employer. Bring doggo into the studio to meet and hang out with the rest of the team any time!
• Personal Trainer Sessions – Free gym sessions with our own Electric Square personal trainer.
• Project Wrap Parties, Cinema Nights & Team Nights Out – We work hard together so it’s good to let off steam and spend some time together seeing what the wonderful city of Brighton & Hove has to offer.
• Summer Festival – Every year on a hot summer’s afternoon, we all leave work early to enjoy the sun with company-organised pop-up diner, cocktail shack, bouncy castle, face painting and other fun amenities. The whole family is invited to spend the day coming to socialise with us, on us :)
• Exhibitions & Days Out – If there is an event happening of interest to us, we’ll happily spread the word, pick up the bill and see if any Electrons are up for going – we’re keen to get everyone out seeing what’s going on.

Role Information: EN

Studio: Electric Square

Location: Europe, United Kingdom, Brighton

Service: Game Development

Employment Type: Permanent

Working Pattern: Full Time, Remote